Can't man up, I see. Well, I expected that.
Here's a primer for you - basically make sure you align with the current goals of government or the agency granting the money - fairly obvious - so if you can't get your frog (or insert project here) research going on it's own add global warming and you may have better luck in todays dollars for science program.
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Writing Government Grant Proposals
Posted: Feb 16th, 2009
A federal grant is a financial award from a federal agency. Authorized by the law of the United States, the recipient of a government grant is required to carry out a public purpose of support. A federal grant may not serve the purpose of a personal loan or individual federal assistance. There are 26 federal agencies that offer grant programs.
Usually, the grant awards do not need to be repaid. Every government agency has unique goals and aims, and money is awarded when the agency feels a particular activity will benefit their purpose. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA), Request for Initial Proposals (RFIP), and Request for Applications (RFA) contain valuable information to support individuals and organizations in creating their grant proposals. For example, for some projects to be eligible for federal funding, the proposal of the organization may need to change to meet the criteria of the particular grant program.
In order to request a government grant, a well-written grant proposal must be submitted. When writing the proposal, think in terms of the big picture. It’s important to know how your proposed project will positively impact the aims of the particular government agency. Target the funding that has an interest in the aims of your organization.
An effective grant proposal will include a mission statement, information about the organization, a statement of need or presentations of the problem, the program plan, goals and objectives, budget information, and letters of collaboration. Be sure to outline the project at the beginning of the proposal. Use a cover letter to briefly explain the key points and objectives of the project. This is the opportunity to make a first impression, and should be prepared with the goals of the agency in mind.
Information about the organization can help the government agency to understand how its goals align with the goals of the proposed project. This section should include information about the organization’s past, present, and projected plans. This section presents an opportunity to build credibility for the organization. Answering the questions, who, what, when, why, and how much are especially important here. A biography of board members, organizational goals and mission statement, and convincing success stories can be included in this section.
The problem statement is one of the most important elements of a proposal, and it should essentially create a sense of urgency in the reviewers to want to support your proposed resolution. The proposed solution should be explained on its own, separately from the problem statement.
The proposal should include very specific information about the projected budget. Although the budget is an estimate, the total amount requested cannot exceed the total amount for the grant. Some funding sources will allow some freedom in how the money is spent, while others will want to know where every penny is going.
The key thing to remember when writing a grant proposal is that the document is a formal sales pitch for support from an agency. Keep in mind the goals of the agency and be sure to show how they align the goals of the proposed project. Be clear, concise, and specific. Believe that your organization deserves the money. Illustrate the health and stability of the organization, and convince the proposal reviewers that you will spend their money wisely. |
