Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Grants for Technology Writing a Winning Proposal

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Writing a Technology Proposal The following guidelines are appropriate for all types of proposals including those related to technology. The Request for Proposal (RFP) will contain the specifics that need to be considered when writing your technology proposal.

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 What is a proposal? A written statement about a project you would like to undertake A request for financial resources from a funding source A commitment to funding agency that  certain things will occur  during a specified time period  at a certain cost An instrument of persuasion

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Types of Proposals Program – services Research - study or evaluate Training - education Planning - coordination Technical Assistance - developing, implementing & managing programs Capital Improvement - build, remodel or acquire equipment

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Getting Started!!! Identify funding sources Refine your ideas Write proposal – individual or team Things to Consider: Time and Competition

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Pre-proposal Contacts Obtain application forms & guidelines – READ THOROUGHLY! Talk with past grantees Talk with prior reviewers Talk with program officer

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Proposal Sequence Writing:  Need/Problem  Objective  Method  Evaluation  Dissemination  Budget  Future Funding  Introduction  Summary  Abstract  Title Page  Attachments  Cover Letter

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Introduction - credibility statement Allows you to: establish who you are describe organizational goals build your credibility in project topic area lead into problem statement

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Need/Problem  The reason behind the proposal  States conditions you want to change - support with evidence (experience, stats, lit review) - can be realistically accomplished - quickly summarizes problem shows familiarity with topic, credibility, and justifies why problem should be investigated

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Objectives Specify outcome of project Sponsors who fund a project are literally “buying” the objectives Include: who what whenwhere how measured/performance criteria

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Methods  how objectives will be accomplished  sequence & flow, of activities, & planned staffing  time & task chart  information on data collection

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Sample Timeline

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Evaluation Some grants do not request an evaluation section - to include one can give a competitive edge Each project objective should have evaluation component Identify what is to be evaluated & what information is needed Describe where info will be obtained & instruments used to get info

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Dissemination Journal article Conference paper/poster presentation Book or manual In-service workshop CAI, CD ROM Commercial Agreement

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Budget  Good place to start  Specific with detailed justification  Divide into years  Include raises  Use realistic figures  Can demonstrate that project is well-planned

Cindy Collins ETEC 665  Salaries – PI, staff  Fringe Benefits - FICA, Retirement, Insurance  Equipment  Supplies Budget Items

Cindy Collins ETEC 665  Travel - field & conference  Contractual/Consultants  Other  Indirect Costs - F&A rates (facilities & administrative costs) Budget Items

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Keys to Successful Grant Funding Identify proper source for funding Present evidence of need Provide evidence of your suitability to meet goals Demonstrate uniqueness of you & your project Talk to funding agencies & review previously funded proposals Develop networks

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Keys to Successful Grant Funding Demonstrate high quality writing skills Provide details – the reviewers need to evaluate the “whole” picture Propose realistic budget & justification Use timelines, graphs, & charts to enhance Proofread for both content & form Follow agency guidelines & provide all requested information

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Proposal Writing Tips  Guidelines  Paper size, color, weight  Type style/Type size  Bold type/Headings and subheadings  Commas  Documentation  Graphs & charts/Illustrations/Lists  White space  Margin width & ragged right margins

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Proposal Writing Tips  Sentence length  Paragraph style  Sexist language  Wordy phrases/“Iffy” words  Transitional words & sentences  Verb choice  Proofreading & editing  Printing/Binding

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 Common Problems with Proposals  does not fit criteria  no clear plan or mechanism for measuring progress  too long & essential items are missing or difficult to find  poorly edited (syntax & spelling errors)  poorly explained or justified budget  letters of support are unconvincing, poorly documented or missing

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 After Submission  Get reviewers comments whether funded or not.  If funded, get ready to complete the deliverables.  If not funded, don’t give up. Many excellent grant proposals are not funded. Consider submitting the proposal to another funding agency or reworking for resubmission.

Cindy Collins ETEC 665 How To Write A Winning Proposal - Recap First – Carefully read the Request for Proposal (RFP). Second – Plan and develop your proposal so that all requested information is provided. Third – Review/proofread and confirm that all areas have been addressed.