Tips & Techniques

Helpful Hints

Grant writing is a challenge for both novice and experienced writers. Grants are highly competitive, and rejection is disappointing. To avoid undue stress, realize that your proposal may be funded or it may not. A grant proposal is similar to a personal résumé; you have only one chance to make a good impression and grab the reviewers' attention. Here are some helpful hints to ensure that your proposal is effective and competitive.

• If you do not qualify, do not apply!
• Start early, plan ahead, and allow plenty of time for writing, revising, and editing.
• FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS! Carefully read the RFA/RFP to ensure that you include all of the required information and forms.
• Disaggregate student achievement data and identify your needs.
• Write concisely and in the active voice.
• Write to communicate, not to impress.
• Write, rewrite, and then ask an objective reader to comment and edit.
• Use a simple document design--Times New Roman or Arial, 10- or 12-point font.
• Remember that a deadline is a deadline. Send or deliver your proposal prior to the deadline.
• If your proposal is not funded, be sure to request copies of the reviewers' comments and use them to improve the proposal before the next submission.
• Be persistent. Consider the applications that are not funded as valuable practice and choose to learn from the experience.