How to Write a Grant How to Write a Grant Proposal for a lot of Proposal for a lot of

moneymoney

Or How to spend a lot of time Or How to spend a lot of time and get really depressed and get really depressed

when your grant gets rejected when your grant gets rejected !!!!

Why Should I Bother?Why Should I Bother?

• Increasingly it is necessary for even state or federal supported programs to obtain funds from granting agencies.– Help buy classroom equipment – Help you hire additional persons – Buy out your own time (e.g., temp.

teachers)– Fund travel to conferences & workshops

Where do U apply?Where do U apply?

• FederalFederal– NSFNSF– ONRONR– DODDOD– NASANASA– EPAEPA– NOAANOAA– NPSNPS– USFWSUSFWS

• StateState– SFWMDSFWMD– DEPDEP– Florida Fish and Florida Fish and

WildlifeWildlife

Where do U apply?Where do U apply?

• PrivatePrivate– National Science National Science

Teachers Assoc.Teachers Assoc.– National Marine National Marine

Educators Assoc.Educators Assoc.– National National

GeographicGeographic– Nature ConservancyNature Conservancy– BellsouthBellsouth– Textbook/Computer Textbook/Computer – Banks/Local Banks/Local

BusinessesBusinesses

• PhilanthropicPhilanthropic– Gates FoundationGates Foundation– Kecht FoundationKecht Foundation– Kellogg FoundationKellogg Foundation– Pew Charitable Pew Charitable

TrustTrust– Toyota TapestryToyota Tapestry– Michael JordanMichael Jordan– KodakKodak– TargetTarget

What Do You Need?What Do You Need?

• A good IdeaA good Idea– An idea whose time has comeAn idea whose time has come– An idea in the newsAn idea in the news– An idea which has relevanceAn idea which has relevance– An idea which links research and An idea which links research and

education goalseducation goals

• A good proposalA good proposal– Stick to the proposal guidelineStick to the proposal guideline

•Page LimitPage Limit

•Prescribed format concerning textPrescribed format concerning text

•Look for linkagesLook for linkages

– A good looking proposalA good looking proposal

• Institutional approvalInstitutional approval

What Do You Need?What Do You Need?

What is in a Proposal What is in a Proposal (NSF)?(NSF)?• Information about PIs (White, Black, Male/ Female, US, Non-Information about PIs (White, Black, Male/ Female, US, Non-

US etc) US etc) • Cover Sheet (1 page)Cover Sheet (1 page)• Certification Page (1 Page)Certification Page (1 Page)• Project Summary (1 page) Project Summary (1 page) • Table of Contents (1 page)Table of Contents (1 page)• Project Description (up to 15 page narrative including Project Description (up to 15 page narrative including

figures and results from prior NSF support)figures and results from prior NSF support)• ReferencesReferences• CV (2 page per person maximum)CV (2 page per person maximum)• BudgetBudget

– Budget justificationBudget justification• Current and Pending SupportCurrent and Pending Support• Facilities Equipment and other ResourcesFacilities Equipment and other Resources

Title Page Title Page (or Cover Sheet)(or Cover Sheet)

• Includes Title of ProjectIncludes Title of Project

• Includes Agency and contact personIncludes Agency and contact person

• Includes beginning and ending datesIncludes beginning and ending dates

• Includes total amount requested (not Includes total amount requested (not always)always)

• Institutional signatures (not always)Institutional signatures (not always)

• PI contact information (phone number, PI contact information (phone number, e-mail, fax etc)e-mail, fax etc)

Project SummaryProject Summary

• Abstract/ Executive SummaryAbstract/ Executive Summary

• Identifies Identifies – Applicant Applicant – NeedNeed– Project goalsProject goals– Major objectivesMajor objectives

• Brief/Free of JargonBrief/Free of Jargon

• No more than 1 pageNo more than 1 page

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

• Lists all sections of the proposalLists all sections of the proposal

• Different formats for different Different formats for different agenciesagencies

Project DescriptionProject Description• Statement of NeedStatement of Need

– Relates of the goals and purposes of Relates of the goals and purposes of agencyagency

– How will research benefit education, How will research benefit education, society etc.society etc.

– State what will be done and what will be State what will be done and what will be expectedexpected

Project DescriptionProject Description• NarrativeNarrative (Up to 15 pages including figures and (Up to 15 pages including figures and

appendices, but not references or budget appendices, but not references or budget justification, CV, or supplementary documentation)justification, CV, or supplementary documentation)

– Previous WorkPrevious Work– HypothesesHypotheses

•Null HypothesisNull Hypothesis– Proposed WorkProposed Work– MethodsMethods– Time TableTime Table– DeliverablesDeliverables– Qualifications of personnelQualifications of personnel

ReferencesReferences

• Not usually included in total page Not usually included in total page countcount

• Follow the one format required by Follow the one format required by the agency (e.g. APA, MLA)the agency (e.g. APA, MLA)

BudgetBudget

• Budget pages required by the agencyBudget pages required by the agency

• Budget justificationBudget justification– SalarySalary– Fringe RateFringe Rate– TravelTravel– SuppliesSupplies– AnalysesAnalyses– Overhead RateOverhead Rate

Current and Pending Current and Pending SupportSupport

• Any other grants you currently have Any other grants you currently have or that you have applied foror that you have applied for– Include titleInclude title– DatesDates– Percent coveragePercent coverage– AmountAmount

Points to RememberPoints to Remember

• Read your proposal thoroughlyRead your proposal thoroughly– Do not be sloppyDo not be sloppy

•The worst review is a sloppy proposalThe worst review is a sloppy proposal

– Be consistentBe consistent– Check referencesCheck references– Check spelling (be wary of spell check)Check spelling (be wary of spell check)

• Make a check list and make sure Make a check list and make sure every thing is thereevery thing is there

Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations• Cover LetterCover Letter

– Suitable RefereesSuitable Referees– Non suitable refereesNon suitable referees

• Number of copiesNumber of copies• Every agency has different requirements!!Every agency has different requirements!!

– Most Federal agencies have similar one although Most Federal agencies have similar one although some subtle and important differences.some subtle and important differences.

– Always read the Request For Proposals (RFP).Always read the Request For Proposals (RFP).• DeadlinesDeadlines

– Fed ExFed Ex– Web submittal (NSF Fastlane)Web submittal (NSF Fastlane)

• Color or B&WColor or B&W

Requirements for INSTAR Requirements for INSTAR Grant ProposalsGrant Proposals• Cover SheetCover Sheet• Table of ContentsTable of Contents• Summary/AbstractSummary/Abstract• Project DescriptionProject Description

– Statement of NeedStatement of Need– NarrativeNarrative

• BackgroundBackground• Proposed WorkProposed Work• MethodsMethods• Expected OutcomeExpected Outcome• TimetableTimetable

• ReferencesReferences• CVCV• BudgetBudget

– Budget JustificationBudget Justification

Formulating an IDEAFormulating an IDEA

• The idea is to write a research paper or a The idea is to write a research paper or a grant proposal using preliminary data grant proposal using preliminary data which you will collect in your theme which you will collect in your theme

• How does this idea relate to your theme?How does this idea relate to your theme?

For example:For example: In the Earth System Science theme we are investigating In the Earth System Science theme we are investigating the change in water chemistry relative to the coastline. the change in water chemistry relative to the coastline.

The hypothesis might be:The hypothesis might be: There is a measurable change in water chemistry relative There is a measurable change in water chemistry relative

to the coast as a result of saltwater intrusion.to the coast as a result of saltwater intrusion.

In Your Grant…..In Your Grant…..

Hypothesis:Hypothesis:There is a measurable change in water chemistry There is a measurable change in water chemistry

relative to the coast as a result of saltwater relative to the coast as a result of saltwater intrusionintrusion

• Present preliminary data which supports Present preliminary data which supports hypothesis and describe additional data hypothesis and describe additional data requirementsrequirements– Additional samplingAdditional sampling– Installation of wellsInstallation of wells– Temporal samplesTemporal samples

Research PaperResearch Paper

• TitleTitle

• Authors & AddressAuthors & Address

• AbstractAbstract

• IntroductionIntroduction– Includes a brief Includes a brief

statement of the statement of the purpose of the purpose of the paperpaper

– Background/SettingBackground/Setting

• MethodsMethods

• ResultsResults– Do not confuse Do not confuse

results with results with discussiondiscussion

• DiscussionDiscussion

• ConclusionsConclusions

• AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments

• ReferencesReferences

Common ErrorsCommon Errors

• Do not be sloppyDo not be sloppy

• Do not use figures that are not Do not use figures that are not relevant or have not been relevant or have not been referenced in the text!referenced in the text!