After finding a funding opportunity you would like to pursue, your next step is to decide what materials are required and get yourself organized for the project-building and writing you will need to do. While you’re doing this, it’s also important to think strategically about your audience for these materials. This involves the exploration of the source of funding and a clear sense (if possible) of the people who will be reading and scoring your submission. This is going to vary widely depending on the opportunity you are pursuing, and you will need to draw on all your savviest research tricks to find the best information. Beyond reading the NOFO/RFP/CFP VERY carefully, I suggest you also re-read excerpts from The Only Grant-Writing Book You’ll Ever Need (on our Course Reading and Viewing Page).
Process
What are you applying for?
You’ve already started this work, and most of you are almost there. If you’re struggling to find the right opportunity, please reach out for a one-on-one conversation.
Who provides the funding?
Beyond the name of the funder, you need to figure out where the money comes from. The context provided by the excerpt from The Only Grant-Writing Book You’ll Ever Need will help with this.
What is the mission of the funder?
You will likely be able to identify a mission or purpose for the organization making funds available. Read this carefully and take notes on the organization’s priorities. Re-read it with a more critical eye. There can occasionally be a difference between the stated purpose of a funding organization and their actual goals. Understanding the nuances will help you position your project as the ideal project for funding.
Who reviews proposals?
This may be more challenging to determine, but it’s important. The NOFO/RFP/CFP might share this information or there might be secondary sources (people offering advice on preparing the specific proposal you’re putting together) that might provide insight into this question. The important thing to note is whether the reviewers are experts in the discipline or field of your proposed project or not. This is going to have a significant impact on the way you shape your proposal.
How are proposals scored?
This should be made available on the NOFO/RFP/CFP. Reviewers are going to be looking specifically for these components, so you can treat this as your rubric while building your project and describing it in writing.
Source Material
None of the details in this project need to be fictional because you should be working from a real grant opportunity. Answering the questions above will require considerable research. You need to ensure that your sources are reliable and you must reference them in your work. Sources will likely include the NOFO/RFP/CFP and excerpts that I’ve made available from The Only Grant Writing Book You’ll Ever Need, but you should also cite all of the sources you consult to answer the somewhat challenging question above. For this assignment, I recommend you use the citation style you plan to use for your proposal (common styles include MLA, APA, and Chicago). You will have an opportunity to check the reliability of your sources in class, and I encourage you to learn more about Zotero and join our course group to share your sources.
Format of Submission
Please compose a Word document that answers the questions above and cites all sources referenced. You can submit this document through Canvas.
