Proposal Writing Resources and Tips Online
The competition for research and programmatic dollars is keen, but the proposal writing process in search of those funds is not all that hard if you are properly organized, can follow directions, know your audience and can write reasonably well. Persuasiveness and clarity are essential elements in the proposal process for both government and non-government grants and particularly so for unsolicited grant proposals. Following grant application guidelines and avoiding common mistakes are also important.
The FAU Division of Research has developed this webpage providing resources to assist you in writing a competitive proposal.
For tutorials and examples of preparing proposals to specific government agencies or for private dollars, see “Know your audience” below.
The writing process
Before you write: A checklist
Organize your thoughts before starting the writing process with this helpful tool.
Elements of a proposal
A basic outline of proposal components, it complements the "checklist" above, so that what you write reflects your project accurately.
Letters of inquiry
Private foundations are increasingly requesting that they be approached first with a short letter of inquiry or concept paper before inviting a full proposal. A response will provide the researcher with an indication of the degree of interest (or no interest) on the part of the potential funding agency. It also spares the researcher the effort (and agony) of investing a large amount of energy in a proposal that may not even get read.
General grant writing tips
Simple outline of the "DO's" and "DON'Ts" of grant writing.
Tips on writing persuasive proposals
A good idea may not get funded if it is not presented well. This fairly comprehensive, but well organized article focuses on presenting your proposal to a foundation in a clear and organized manner that flows well. Of particular relevance for proposal writers are the sections on positioning your organization as an expert on the issue, a plan to carry out the work, projected outcomes and evaluation. At the end of the article is a section on common questions about the grant writing process.
Tips on writing research proposals
Various panelists discuss useful tips for preparing research proposals for both Federal and private funding agencies.
Not all proposals are successful
How to kill a proposal
The last thing you want to do is make the reviewers' job easy for them in the sense of giving them a reason not to fund your proposal. This discussion of how to make sure your proposal is D.O.A. has stood the test of time and backs up the conventional wisdom.
Avoiding Jargon
Too much jargon is a great way to turn off your reviewer. The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation presents a funder's perspective on the matter and offers advice to free your good idea from the constraint of jargon.
Know your audience
When responding to a government RFP, you know three things: that the funding agency is committed to spending the dollars, that the area of research is often well defined, and that your peers are competing for the same dollars.
However, the competition for unsolicited grants, particularly from the corporate sector and private foundations has an added element. While the foundation may have a broadly defined program interest in your area of research, they did not issue an RFP or ask you for a proposal. First, you have to compete for the reader's attention and communicate the importance of your idea.
Also, remember that often in the case of private grant makers, the reviewers may not be experts in the subject matter of your field and most foundations do not use peer- review panels. Avoid the jargon and focus on presenting a clear case aimed at intelligent lay readers. You want them to understand your project, its importance and why your project is worthy of their funds.
Additional Resource Pages
Proposal writing resources on the web: Compiled by the staff at the University of Wisconsin, a representative jump-page to various topics on proposal writing.
Proposal writing resources in print: A companion site to “proposal writing resources on the web, also compiled by the staff at the University of Wisconsin, presents an annotated bibliography of text resources on proposal writing.
For more information, please contact:
Kurt R. Moore, CFRE
Assistant VP for Research and Director
Office of Technology Transfer
777 Glades Road, ADM 232
Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991
email: kmoore34@fau.edu
tel: 561-297-1165
fax: 561-297-2141
