Grant Writing

Diane S. Kukich, MA

Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering

University of Delaware

October 25, 2005

Funding Sources Federal agencies

State and local governments

Foundations

Companies

Recipients Government labs

Academic researchers

Social service agencies

Schools

Community groups

New Ways of Doing Business Collaborative

Electronic

Learn the Rules Obtain copy

of program guidelines

Become completely familiar with requirements

Getting Started Highlight important facts

Note formatting requirements

Create outline

Writing the Proposal Fill in outline with technical

information Edit inputs from others for

coherence Gather supporting materials

Elements of Proposal

Front matter: orients the reader

Body: provides the main elements

Back matter: documents the details

Front Matter

Cover

Executive summary

Table of contents

Sample Cover Layout

Body of Proposal Introduction Statement of Problem Objectives Method Work plan Schedule Budget

Introduction

Provides project context

Presents overview of proposal plan

Statement of Problem

Provides clear and compelling description of problem

Discusses critical issues associated with problem

Details constraints on solution

Objectives Lists specific, measurable

outcomes to be accomplished

Ties objectives clearly to problem

Proposes initial concepts

Method Describes in detail what team

proposes to do to find a solution

Includes specifics—amounts, numbers, locations, etc.

Work Plan Focuses on management of

project

Shows how team will be coordinated, scheduled, and monitored

Schedule Presented in visual format

Places all activities on timeline

Convinces audience that timeline is realistic

Serves as proposal “at a glance”

Back Matter Bibliography or references

Appendices

Elements of Design Effective formatting, layout,

and design

Headers and footers

Page numbers

Consistent use of styles

White space for separation and emphasis

Comic-Book Approach Clarify complex,

technical text with graphic elements

Integrate graphics and provide meaningful captions

Break up each page with graphics

Table vs. Text: Text

The materials ordered included 20 lbs. of steel at $2.00/lb, 50 pounds of concrete at $1.50/lb., 40 pounds of wood at $3.00/lb, and 20 pounds of paper at $4.00/lb.

Table vs. Text: Table

Material Quantity (lbs.)

Cost/lb.

Steel 20 $2.00

Concrete 50 $1.50

Wood 40 $3.00

Paper 20 $4.00