Date Posted: 2/17/2018 2:02:51 AM
Posted By: simpleman Anto Membership Level: Silver Total Points: 162
The method and requirements of writing a grant differ significantly across disciplines, organizations, and industries or sectors. However, extensive knowledge and information regarding the funding institution are required to help submit a winning proposal. The professional experts in the field review submissions and due to stiff competition; one should strive to stand out by presenting an accurate and more convincing proposal. As such, the process requires time, concentration, research, and team effort to articulate all elements and specific requirements of the funding organization. This manual provides a general guide that incorporates the essential parts of the grant writing process from the beginning to the end. Primary components covered include an introduction, problems statement, objectives, methods and design, evaluation, future funding, budget, managerial review, and summary or abstract.The grant writing process starts with an overview of the grant proposal. The section defines the project to be funded in details. Key aspects included are the purpose or aim of the project, the mission statement, and the scope of work to be undertaken. It also entails determining the broad goals of the project and the specific project objectives defining how the organization will focus the activities to have goals accomplished as well as the target population. An example of the goal could be to enhance security in the region. With such goal, some particular objectives may be to recruit more police officers, train the public on security issues, and install CCTV surveillance. The organization does a lot of research about the project and the funding organization.The second step is to determine the statement of need describing the problem. The phase entails stating the needs of the beneficiaries or target population. It points out the effect of the intended services or product to targeted individuals. For instance, if the problem is to reduce cases of substance abuse, the problem statement should provide the solutions to the problem and how the affected individuals will benefit from the program. At this stage, the grantee outlines the potential benefits and values of the initiative not only to the beneficiaries but to the whole society.Stating and describing the project objectives forms the third step in writing a grant proposal. The aim should adhere to the SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-sensitive) rule. An example could be to reduce the level of substance abuse among the juveniles by 25% by the end of 2019. The timeline should take into account the planning phase, the period of looking for capital, proposal writing, and the date the project is intended to begin. After defining the objective, the firm seeking grants points out the methods and designs that would be utilized to achieve the project objectives. The section covers the specific models and strategies that would be employed that the services are rendered efficiently. The part answers the 5W-H questions such as what will be done, by who, when, where, why and how will it be done. The responses have to be supported by empirical evidence obtained through research studies.After that, the entity identifies project evaluation mechanisms. Under this section, the grant provides information on how they will measure the performance.The proposal should cover both quantitative and qualitative measures of performance including individuals who will be responsible for the determination. The duration at which the evaluation would be conducted is also outlined. It aims at helping the organization to know the degree to which the project is meeting the stated objectives. After evaluation section, the next process in grant writing is to determine the budget and future funding. The budget should be detailed taking into account all the requirements that should be supported. It should cover on program staff, overhead and operational expenses. The figures should be justified basing on the empirical evidence and models applied when designing the budget. Secondly, the entity seeking funds should state how the money will support the project in future after the funding period. Granters are always concerned about what follows after the end depletion of provided funds or grant period. If possible, provide alternative sources of funds if the available capital will not be enough for the entire program. In the event, the money would be enough to accomplish the project; the grantee should include other programs that would like to undertake in future.The grantee then provides management plan and key personnel. Provide in details a review of individuals who will be responsible for the program management including the staff positions that will support it. The analysis should include all subordinates expected to work on the initiative even those that will not be supported by the grant funds. Thereafter a brief conclusion restating why the firm needs capital and what the money will be used for. Consistency is vital when rewriting the project objectives.Lastly, an abstract or summary of the submission is written to offer an overview of the whole proposal. Even though it appears at the beginning of the document, it is usually written last. The section provides a brief description of the applicant, defines the problem to be solved, and the statement of objectives and goals that the project perceives to attain. The section also outlines project activities as well as the anticipated costs and expenses. The grantee defines the broad goals of the program and the specific objectives for each goal including the operations that will be performed under each aim to ensure that the goals are achieved on time.Before one begins writing the grant proposal, it is advisable to develop a specific and actionable plan depending on what the entity intends to do, review proposal guidelines, and examine sample proposal from departments, peers, and other bodies. Consideration should emphasize the possibility of achieving a positive outcome. The management should attempt to locate various sources of funds and the granting organization and conduct thorough research to ensure that the mission and objectives of the granting company align with the plan. The agency should also make regular contact with grant officer in case they experience difficulties or have questions. A template proposal for repeat use should be developed. Though each section is handled separately, there should be a direct link and follow of information from one part of the next. Guesswork is not advisable as it can detriment the application. Even if the grants are similar, one should not copy proposals submitted by other firms.
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