My Grant Application Was Rejected… Now What?

You put in the hours, hit the deadline, and crossed your fingers. Months later, you get the disappointing news: your grant application was unsuccessful. Though no one wants this outcome, it’s reality for many.

First of all, it’s perfectly okay to feel frustrated and disappointed—but don’t let those feelings block your momentum! Getting a “no” doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of your application or project; funding is limited and application numbers are rising every year.¹ Here’s how you can turn that rejection into a roadmap to keep your project moving forward.

Connect With the Funder

Reach out to a grants officer or check the funder website to see if you’re eligible to submit your proposal again. Some funders limit reapplications or require a waiting period before resubmission, but I’ve worked with clients who secured funding on their third application, so it’s definitely worth trying.

Speaking with a grants officer is also a smart way to see if your project fits better in another competition under that funder. Larger grantmakers often have multiple funding streams, so your project might land better elsewhere. I always encourage applicants to connect with a grants officer early on to avoid applying for the wrong grant.

If you received reviewer feedback with your result, that’s invaluable—apply their comments thoughtfully. If you didn’t receive feedback, you can try contacting a grants officer to request it—though receiving feedback this way is not guaranteed. In fact, if you read Vu Le’s blog (Nonprofit AF), he offers compelling reasons for not supporting feedback at all (and likens the entire grant landscape to The Hunger Games, which is… fitting.)

Review the Application Content

Maybe you realize that your application’s final draft needs sharpening or polishing. You felt rushed, juggling a dozen tasks, and couldn’t focus on the proposal as much as you wanted. Tackling weaker spots now could lead to a future win. If you can’t reapply to this particular competition, revising your proposal will strengthen it for the next eligible opportunity.

Areas that are often the weakest in proposals include feasibility, team expertise, sustainability, and budget.

• Feasibility and team expertise overlap a bit here. Ensure you demonstrate to the funder that you have the environment, team members, and resources to achieve what you’ve presented in your application.
• For projects involving sustainability, was it clear in your proposal? Funders are risk-averse and want to see your plan for sustaining the project beyond initial funding, such as continued revenue or community uptake.
• Budget is tough to nail—especially without a template or guideline. Make sure your budget items are clear, complete, and accurately calculated. More detail is better, as it proves you’ve done your homework, not just thrown out rough estimates. 

Revising your proposal isn’t defeat; it lets you rethink your project with fresh insight. You have the opportunity now to do more research, gather stronger evidence, and sharpen the language to prove the project’s value.

Strengthen Your Network

I’ve previously written about how partnerships strengthen initiatives, boost impact, deepen connections, and expand funding access by bridging sector gaps. So, if the project is sound but you lack the capacity to take it forward on your own, consider partnering with a team or researcher. Ask colleagues about their partnership experiences or find published examples of successful collaborations in your field.

You could also connect with your network to get their feedback on your proposal. Do they have suggestions for a better solution? Are there any glaring holes in your application materials?

Rejection can be disheartening, but the three pathways shared here will help strengthen your next application. Every revision, conversation, and partnership you build in response makes the next submission stronger. With SSHRC, CIHR, and other competition results on the horizon, keep this post on hand to stay motivated and keep pushing forward. If you’d like support working through any of these steps, I’d be glad to help—reach out and let’s map out your next move together. A “no” may simply be a setback, not a stop sign!

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!

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¹ There’s no centralized data here, but this is a topic reported on by various outlets such as CanadaHelps, Imagine Canada, SSHRC, CIHR, and other research reports.