authoraid workshop on proposal writing ethiopia may 2012

AuthorAID Workshopon Proposal Writing

Ethiopia

May 2012

Other Aspects

Barbara Gastel, MD, MPH

AuthorAID Knowledge Community Editor

Professor, Texas A&M University

bgastel@cvm.tamu.edu

Overview

• Revising and resubmitting proposals

• Following up: preparing progress reports

• Some additional resources

• Looking ahead

• Wrap-up exercise

Revising and Resubmitting Proposals

Revising and Resubmitting a Proposal

• Note: For some funding sources, revising and resubmitting proposals is common.

• In revising the proposal, use the advice from the reviewers.

• Consider consulting the program officer.• In general, accompany the revised proposal with

a list showing, point by point, how the reviewers’ advice was followed.

• If appropriate, indicate the revisions typo-graphically (for example, using Track Changes).

Following Up:Preparing Progress Reports

Progress Reports: Some Functions

• For the funding source or supervisor: help see how the work is progressing and thus whether the plans or funding level should be adjusted

• For those doing the work:– Provide incentive to keep up– Aid in assessing one’s own progress and adjusting

one’s approach– Provide material to use in presentations and

publications

Preparing to Write a Progress Report

• Obtain any instructions or forms.

• If feasible, obtain relevant examples to use as models.

• Review your proposal or project plan.

Progress Reports: A Common Structure

• Background information– Summary of project plan

• Description of present status– Achievements thus far– Comparison of progress with that expected– Significant problems encountered, if any

• Conclusions– Overall assessment– Proposed modifications, if any

Writing a Progress Report

• In general, structure the progress report like the project plan.

• Be specific. Include numbers, names, and dates.

• If appropriate, include tables and figures.

• Consider using headings etc to guide readers.

Writing a Progress Report (cont)

• Strive to sound positive, competent, and confident.

• Do not hide problems. Say how they are being addressed.

• If you write a series of progress reports on a project, put each in the same format.

• Edit the progress report carefully.

An Example of a Seriesof Progress Reports

• June 2010

• September 2010

• December 2010

• March 2011

Additional Resources

Some Resources

• Proposal Writing Short Course (from the Foundation Center; available in 6 languages): http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse

• Writing Your [Grant] Application: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/writing_application.htm

• Grand Challenges Canada Proposal Development Resource (http://www.grandchallenges.ca/proposaldevelopment/)

• AuthorAID: http://www.authoraid.info

Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead

• A suggestion: To maintain the momentum from this workshop, come up with—and follow—a plan for finishing and submitting your proposal.

• Another suggestion: Consider sharing materials from this workshop with others.

• A request: If your proposal is approved, please let us know. You can write to bgastel@cvm.tamu.edu or authoraid@inasp.info.

Wrap-Up Exercises

Exercise 1:Looking Ahead

• Start drafting a list of things you still need to do in order to bring your proposal to completion.

• Identify ways that you might be able to share content from this workshop, either formally or informally.

Exercise 2:Identifying Key Points

• List 5 of the most important points to remember from this workshop.

• List 3 pieces of advice from this workshop that you plan to use in preparing or revising your proposal.

• With others in your group, prepare a “master list” containing points and advice listed by various members.

Exercise 3:Proposing a 1-Day Workshop

Propose a 1-day workshop on proposal writing. The proposal should include, but need not be limited to, the following:

– The reason(s) that holding the workshop would be advisable– The potential source(s) of funding and why they were chosen– The workshop plan (attendees, activities, speakers, location,

facilities, and timing, etc), with the justification for each choice– The budget (including the costs or ways to determine them)– A timeline for preparing for the workshop, holding the workshop,

and following up– A plan for evaluating the workshop– A title for the proposal

Thank you!