Grant Writing Services & Guides

Proposal Preparation

Developing a strong, competitive grant proposal requires planning and focus. A well-written proposal not only gives a PI a better chance of receiving funding, but provides a detailed plan for carrying out the program upon receiving the award. The following considerations and questions can guide your thinking when developing a proposal.

Need Identification

• How was the need identified?
• What evidence exists to support the need?
• What population is affected by the problem?
• Do funding sources recognize the need?
• What are the benefits if the need is met?

Programs Currently in Place

• What are other people doing about this problem or issue?
• What gaps exist that need to be addressed?
• What is the next step in solving this problem?

Clarify Purpose of Proposed Program

• What specific problem will the program address?
• How does the proposed project “fill in the gaps” and do what needs to be done?
• Are there similar programs in the community or other parts of the country?
• What makes the proposed project innovative, special, or useful?

Can the University and Proposed Program Deliver what it Promises?

• Are the approach and methods feasible?
• Does the PI and staff possess the appropriate training and expertise?
• Are the facilities and resources adequate?
• How will the program or project be sustained?
• Are matching funds required?
• Are the project’s projected outcomes reasonable and duplicable?
• Why is our University best suited to solve the problem?
• Does it address SVSU goals?
• Does the PI have the support of the Dean and University?
• Is the PI committed for the duration of the project?

Preliminary Inquiries

After the program is developed, a PI may want to contact the potential funding agency directly to confirm common areas of interest. If an initial contact has already been made, further contact can be helpful in developing the proposal. Common questions you may encounter are:

• What do you intend to do?
• Why do you want to do it?
• How will you do it?
• What do you estimate the project will cost?
• When and where will you do it?
• Who are you and what are your qualifications?
• Who will benefit from this work?

Proposal Guidelines

In preparing proposals for submission to external sponsors, read the directions and information available in the application material provided by the sponsor. Application packages are often referred to by one of the following: RFP – Request for Proposals; RFA – Request for Application; Application Booklet; Program Brochure or Guidelines.

SP should be contacted as soon as a PI knows he/she will be submitting a proposal.  SP can be of great assistance to faculty/staff in the proposal preparation and review process and will act as a second set of eyes to ensure the proposal meets the RFP requirements.  Whatever the sponsor provides in these instructions should be followed precisely, i.e. page limits, typeface size, and other restrictions are taken seriously by sponsoring organizations and act as the first level of grant review.  If the directions are not followed the proposal is routinely returned to the PI without review.

Sometimes sponsors request a preliminary or shorter proposal (3–5 pages) before asking for a complete final proposal. Often times these pre-proposals are binding, meaning if accepted, the PI needs to further develop the proposal and is not at liberty to change the terms of the pre-proposal.  In this case, the pre-proposal will need University approval before submission.