proposal/grant writing workshop

Proposal/Grant Writing Workshop

Day 2November 13, 2009

Bren School of Environmental Science and ManagementKate Kokosinski

Proposal construction Writing strategies Review exercises Confidentiality Editing tips

Day 2 Overview

Title Executive Summary Problem Statement

Proposal Elements

Objective

◦Ex. “to determine the impacts of breaching on ocean water quality as measured by indicator bacteria concentrations”

Proposal Elements

Background◦What is known?◦What is not known?◦Why knowledge needs to be gained (societal

importance)?

Proposal Elements

Approach/Methods◦What are you going to do?◦How are you going to do it?◦How can you provide evidence that you are

prepared to do this?

Proposal Elements

Qualifications◦Make specific to self or organization◦Use evidence to support claims◦ Include innovative aspects of technology or

methodology

Proposal Elements

Schedule Budget Budget Justification

Proposal Elements

Benefits Statement◦Why is the work important?◦To whom will it be important?◦ Is there significance beyond the immediate

project?

Proposal Elements

Organization Coherence Clarity Conciseness

***Read good writing before you write!

Writing Strategies

Take some time to read the first example Discuss in groups of 4-5

Answer questions:1. What did this author do well?2. What suggestions do you have to improve

this proposal?3. Do you think this proposal was successful

or unsuccessful?

Group Exercise

Organization Background Focus Argument

Discussion

Take some time to read the proposal Discuss in groups of 4-5

Answer questions:1. Do you think this proposal was successful

or unsuccessful?2. How does this example differ from the

first?3. What does the author do effectively?

Group Exercise

Detailed methods Clear descriptions Interesting argument

Discussion

Break

RFP Funding proposal Audience

EPA Tribal Lead Grant

Read draft proposal Discuss in groups of 4-5

Answer questions:1. What is effective about this proposal?2. What could be strengthened before

submission?

Group Exercise

Effective Background Clear direction Numbers

Ineffective Undefined acronyms Project schedule Conclusion missing

Discussion

Ideas Product/technology Partnerships

Confidentiality

Edit later Read your writing out loud Print your paper when reviewing Peer edit Visit the Communications Center

Editing Tips

Kate Kokosinskikkokosinski@bren.ucsb.edu

Contact