Tips for Successful Grant Writing
B.D. Hayes, DSW, MPH, MSW
Learning Objectives

To provide a model for developing your proposal ideas

To review winning grant writing tips

To identify strategies for mutually beneficial
partnering/collaborations

To increase extramural funding for a variety of projects
A successful grant proposal is
one that is well-prepared,
thoughtfully planned and
concisely packaged
…………….………….CFDA
Write first
Funding Second
The Three Essential Laws of
Successful Grant Writing
Do
your homework
Follow
Use
instructions
Common Sense
General Tips and Comments

Take sufficient time to prepare a good abstract, LOI,
or a concept paper

Avoid the use of jargon and acronyms

Always include a budget and budget justification

Be careful when/where you cut and paste: assure
uniformity of font size and type

ALWAYS use a reader and get editorial assistance
Traits of a Successful Grant Getter

Research skills

Salesmanship skills

Communication skills

Ingenuity skills

Administrative skills

Human relations

Persistence,
dedication, patience

Ability to work hard

Political awareness
and action

Integrity
SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS

Direct, concise, compelling, convincing, capable
and resourceful

Addresses a significant/important problem

Explicit goals, measurable objectives

Comprehensive but succinct background review

Methodology fits problem

Appropriate funding mechanism
Unsuccessful Applications

Failure to follow directions

Lack of knowledge about
relevant literature

Lack of new or original
ideas

Questionable reasoning in
research design
Diffuse, superficial, or
unfocused research

Lack of demonstrated
experience in selected
methodology (lacks detail)

Format issues

Over-ambitious



Lacks clearly stated
hypothesis and rationale
Lack of an overall research
goal; uncertainty about
future directions
Developing Your Idea(s)


Needs Assessment

Evidence of problem

Local, county, state, national
Capability Assessment

Organizational

People

Past and present history

Resources (funds, expertise, etc.)
Grant Writing Process

Begins with a good idea

Review the components of a successful grant

Apply the model

Evaluate and discuss the plan

Literature review

Analysis of current research/activity in the field

Develop team
The Task You Face

Clearly Identify the Need


Define the Solution


Make sure the needs are those of the target population
Use a Problem/Needs approach
Carefully Design the Project

How a problem is defined often determines an approach
to develop a solution
Basic Components

The Proposal
Summary

Project Methods or
Design

Introduction

Project Evaluation

Problem Statement (or
Needs Assessment)

Project Budget

Future Funding

Project Objectives
General Tips and Comments
General Tips and Comments

Take sufficient time to prepare a good abstract, LOI,
or a concept paper

Avoid the use of jargon and acronyms

Always include s budget and budget justification

Be careful when/where you cut and paste: assure
uniformity of font size and type

ALWAYS use a reader and get editorial assistance
References
1.
Writing Grant Proposals That Win. Edited by Deborah Ward. Sudbury, MA:
Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2006.
2.
Jeremy T Miner and Lynn E. Miner. Models of Proposal Planning & Writing.
Westport, CT: Praeger, 2005.
3.
John W. Cresswell. Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1994.
4.
Lawrence F. Locke, Waneen Wyrick Spirduso and Stephen J. Silverman.
Proposals that Work: A guide for Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals
(4th Ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2000.
5.
Arlene Fink. Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From Paper to Internet.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1998.
6.
Liane Reif-Lehrer. Grant Application Writers Handbook (4th Ed.) Sudbury, MA:
Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2005.
7.
Surf the Internet: Proposal Writing (Be Careful!)