In
my last column, I introduced readers to my 4 stage, team-based GrantSuccess
model for creating successful grant applications. I recommended creating a
desktop folder to hold all related grant documents and creating three
pre-writing documents to reduce complicated RFPs to manageable and helpful
resources for grant writing. In this
column, I have included grant writing tips that I have shared at many
professional conferences, in online grant writing courses and in summer grant
writing workshops.
Always Start with the
Goals: The hardest part of any grant application is
developing a clear statement of project goals. I think well written goals have
a structure: Action Verb - Object of the
Action- Subject of the Action- Baseline Data- Outcome Data- Measure of
Performance. For example: Increase K-6 student math achievement from 6.5 to 8.0
on 4th grade proficiency
tests. A good way to organize technology
integration goal statements is to have one goal that addresses improving
“academic performance”. A second goal should address improved “technology
literacy” for students. The third goal
should improve “professional development.” The actual technology tool should be
written into the grant application to support these three goals, not as an end
in itself. These three “goal domains”
will help you organize the actions included in the grant application. They will
also help you write your grant implementation timeline, budget and evaluation
sections.
Create a Project
Timeline From the Goals: The three goals can then guide the ”implementation
phases” of the grant. I recommend the
use of “Phases” or “Stages” when describing how a grant will be
implemented. I always name them, include
beginning and ending dates and provide a one or two sentence description of the
stage or phase. For example: Phase One:
Purchasing and Installation (July 15-August 15, 2008) This phase will include
the selection, purchasing and installation of Project Achieve software and
hardware resources. Phase Two: Professional Development (August 15-August
30, 2008) This phase will include teacher-based introduction and support for
applications of software and hardware into instructional design.
Create an Evaluation
Plan From the Timeline: Use the Phases or
Stages of the grant application to create your Project Evaluation Plan. The grant application is strengthened if each
Phase or Stage has its own evaluation component. It reads like a plan to an evaluator! It never hurts to write in an external
evaluator to increase objectivity.
Group Edit Using a
Large Screen Projector and Laser Pointers:
Set your grant writing team up in a room with a large screen projection
of the draft grant application. Give everyone a laser pointer. Assign your best word processor/ keyboarder
to the computer. Scroll through the
draft text in your Grant Writing Guide from beginning to end. You will be
amazed at the number of errors that can be located and corrected when
colleagues are looking a big screen and can “point” out the mistakes.
Create the Application
Abstract or Summary from the Final Edited Text: These sections do
not have to be written separately. They are written using the edited text you
have worked to refine. Once you have
your final text, you can copy and paste important topic sentences for each
section of the narrative into the abstract or summary. Then the grant
evaluators read the same content in abstract or summarized form. Your grant reads as organized start to
finish. Your goals guide your
actions. Your actions guide your budget
and evaluation plan and you increase the chance of getting your funding.
Dr. Douglas Brooks is a Professor in the School of Education, Health and Society at Miami University. He teaches graduate and online courses in grant writing. He has written over $8 million in successful state, foundation and federal grants.