I hope you’re feeling more confident in your approach to writing grants. Last time we covered some key tips to building relationships and aligning your project with the right funder. Now it’s time to sit down and work through the application!
Grant applications vary wildly. Some funders ask a dozen short-answer questions, while others welcome an open format proposal. No matter the structure, funders expect to learn some basic information about your project/program and you as a researcher or organization.
Abstract
This may also be called the summary and is often one of the first sections a reviewer will read. As such, it should clearly convey your request. You’ll essentially provide an abridged version of your full proposal (covering each of the sections outlined here).
For best results, write the abstract after you’ve finishing the entire proposal. This isn’t a brainstorming exercise; it should offer an easy-to-read summary of what makes your project/program stand out for reviewers who may be working through dozens of similar applications. Limit jargon and keep it concise.
Statement of problem
What issue does your project/program address? What needs to change and why? Why does this issue matter? And, importantly, why does this issue matter to the funder?
Demonstrate that you’re aware of the problem, its impact on a specific population, and that your team understands the needs and potential solutions. You don’t need to introduce your particular solution yet (that comes later), but lay the groundwork to show your understanding of the issue and what has or hasn’t worked so far.
đź“Ł Pro tip: include statistics to quantify the issue and highlight its consequences.
Project description
Here’s where you present your solution to the problem. Show off a little! Tell the funder just how exceptional your project/program is. While you’re doing this, be sure to answer the following questions:
- What are your goals and objectives?
- How do you plan to carry out activities?
- What are the expected impacts and outcomes?
- How will you and your team address the problem (with resources at your disposal)?
Evaluation plan
The evaluation plan can be easily overlooked, especially when you’re less familiar with them. A winning proposal shows the funder (and yourself and the community) that you have plans to prove how your project/program achieved the desired impact. This may help you to secure future funding or identify necessary changes to improve the project/program. Or perhaps it will boost your promotion and scaling efforts!
Regardless, try to include an evaluation component to demonstrate you’re thinking ahead, even if it’s not explicitly requested.
Budget
Nearly all grants require a budget table, outlining specific planned costs. If no separate budget justification or narrative is requested, then it’s up to you to demonstrate within the application that the costs in your budget are essential and align with the activities of your project/program. For example, let’s say you request funding for a workshop facilitator without mentioning any workshops in your description—reviewers may raise concerns and question feasibility.
Some applications require a detailed breakdown of budget costs (also called a budget justification or narrative). This is the “show your work” exercise, just like in math class. Demonstrate that you’ve carefully considered each line item and researched actual costs (for example: $1,1160 for an economy class return flight with Quality Airline from city A to city B). You’re proving to the funder that what you’re requesting is justified and realistic. (I promise, budgets will have their own dedicated post—or several.)
Both budget tables and narratives convey the same information, but the narrative provides you with an opportunity to elaborate on the numbers.
So that’s it. The core components of a proposal: abstract, problem statement, your solution, anticipated impacts, and total costs. How these are presented will depend on the application format, but they will be expected one way or another!
🔜 Next month we’ll talk grant writing and AI. Stay tuned!
Thanks for reading! I’d love to know what resonated with you or any specific components you’d like to learn more about. Leave a comment, use the Contact page, or email me directly. Until next time!
jbr editing 