WRITING YOUR GRANT APPLICATION
The way you write your grant application tells the
reviewer a lot about you.
๏To be competitive, write a superb grant application.
๏Begin to write your grant proposal early. Good applications may
take from several weeks to several months to prepare โ not
counting the time required to accumulate preliminary data or time
to have others read the proposal.
๏Prepare before you write:
๏Read & follow instructions meticulously
๏Set deadlines for yourself for finishing the various stages of the
project.
๏Use a good checklist when you plan the proposal.
Writing the Proposal:
๏Make an outline.
๏Compile & analyze relevant data.
๏Prepare tables, figures, and photographs.
๏Write the first draft.
๏Write to express, not to impress.
๏Provide alternative approaches to the project.
๏Donโt put information in an inappropriate part of the proposal.
๏Avoid ambiguity and irrelevant information.
๏Be quantitative and specific.
๏Be consistent (tenses, nomenclature- including abbreviations).
๏Be concise but complete (avoid redundancy and unnecessary
words).
๏Use simple (but not simple-minded or simplistic) words.
๏Use short, direct sentences.
๏Use short paragraphs that begin with informative topic
sentences.
๏Avoid pompous language and self-praise (let your data speak for
you).
๏Be positive.
๏Stay within the recommended margins.
๏Strictly adhere to the page limitations and instructions about
type size.
๏Revise the first draft to generate a good second draft.
๏Consider accuracy, clarity, consistency, brevity, emphasis and
impact, style, tone, and presentation.
๏Use computer aids to help you improve the first draft.
๏Use a good checklist to see that everything is perfect.
๏Print out a good second draft.
๏Have colleagues and/or consultants critique the second draft.
