Below is a list of items; which are parts to a grant proposal.  Please be advised that not every part will appear in every proposal guideline/application.  Read your guidelines/application carefully and be aware of the “point” values given to the certain sections of the application.  Do not neglect low point valued sections for larger point valued sections.  Calculate where in the application/guidelines to allocate the longest and most detailed documentation. 

When developing a grant proposal remember the two most important principles: 

Follow the guidelines/application to the letter.

Make your proposal easy to read and understandable for the reviewer.  The reviewer will decide if you receive funding.  Your chances of receiving funding will greatly increase if you write and format your proposal for the convenience of the reviewer. 

The following covers the minimal concepts for each section of a grant proposal.  Be sure to investigate the examples and resources where given for more complete information. 

Title Page

Abstract

Introduction

Table of Contents

Problem or Need Statement

Statement of Objectives

Statement of Methods

Evaluation

Budget 

Your title page should include: 

Title of the proposal

Complete identification of the principal investigator and co-investigators

Address, phone & fax numbers and e-mail address 

The abstract is a clear and brief summary of your project.  It usually is not more than one half to one page in length.  When applying for a federal grant, please include and underline keywords for your grant. 

The introduction is your chance to present yourself and establish your credibility.  It also gives you the chance to set the “tone” for your proposal to establish a link between your project and the interests of the grantor. 

The Table of Contents should show the different sections of your proposal and the page numbers.  Always check your proposal guidelines for format requirements as these may vary with each grant application. 

The Problem or Needs Statement allows you to explain why you are writing your proposal.  Be sure that the problem you describe is one that you can solve or a solution that you can improve.  Describe how your project fits the goals/focus of the grantor. 

The Objectives Statement is the measurable outcomes or end products you will create or produce.  Specify exactly what you are going to accomplish in complete detail and give a time frame for your goals. 

The Statement of Methods is how you will accomplish your objectives.  You should provide a detail description of what you are going to do and how you will carry it out.  For example: collecting information, hiring people to help you, buying equipment, building something, traveling, giving presentations, etc.

It is important to include all necessary materials, personnel and activities in your statement.  Don’t forget to include the materials and personnel in your budget. 

The Evaluation consists in proving that the expected change or improvement occurred and that your project met its goals.  Evaluation measures changes or progress between conditions before and after you complete your project.  Determine what and how much change is necessary to make your project a success.  You will need to develop indicators (bench marks or standards) by which to measure the success or failure of each objective in your proposal.  In the evaluation, you reiterate the importance of your objectives and their link to the values of the grantor. 

To help you with your evaluation ask yourself these questions:

Am I answering the questions that are important to those involved?  

Am I choosing the right design (procedures and methods) for my evaluation?

Should I evaluate during the project or after?

Did I get the information I need to complete the evaluation?

Are my results clear and understandable?

To plan your evaluation:

Identify what you are going to evaluate.  Progress or Impact?

Determine the methods you will use for evaluation - quantitative, qualitative or mixed.

Summarize and report your findings. 

Be sure to select a design that will best answer the questions your grantor will want to know about.

Formative:  tests the project while it is still going on and can be changed in mid-course. 

Summative:  measures the effects of the project after it is finished.

Show an example of your evaluation instrument (questionnaire, experiment, face to face or telephone interview, etc.) in your report.  Include at least one example of typical evaluation data (how the results of your tests for effectiveness will look).  Include a budget with your evaluation (postage, phone, fax, travel, paper, special computer programs, etc). 

The budget should show how the grantor’s money will be spent on the needs outlined in the objectives statement, and show it is reasonable and consistent with the needs.

Detail the costs of your project.

            Direct costs are line items (explicit project costs): personnel and the things they will use to carry out the project.  Personnel costs can include salaries, benefits and consultant’s fees.  Other direct costs can be equipment, supplies, travel and publication expenses.  Each costis listed on a separate line in your budget.

            Indirect costs are operating costs or administrative costs not specifically listed in your budget as line items but are real costs in your project.  Time spent processing a payroll or timespend planning and brainstorming on your project are examples of indirect costs. 

            A balanced budget is a must!  If you underestimate your budget, this will indicate that you don’t understand your project.  On the other hand, don’t pad your budget, as this will indicate you are trying to get more than you really need.

Additional information for writing grants is available at the following sites:

Proposal Writing Assistance – http://www.montana.edu/wwwvr/osp/propwrit.html