My Top Ten Tips For a Solid Grant Proposal

Writing a grant proposal requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a clear presentation of your ideas.

Here are my top ten tips for crafting a successful grant proposal:

1. Be Clear

Write as if you are having a professional conversation. Avoid complex sentences, excessive jargon, and poetic explanations. Stick to straightforward, declarative sentences to ensure your message is easily understood.

2. Be Sincere

You don’t need to exaggerate your proposal to make it convincing. Honest reflection and genuine answers to the application questions will let your enthusiasm and commitment shine through!

3. Start Early

Give yourself plenty of time to complete all the necessary steps. Starting at least a month before the grant deadline is ideal. Note that access support requests are usually due six weeks in advance. If you plan to work with a grant writer, give them at least two months' notice to secure your spot in their schedule.

4. Talk to the Program Officer

Program Officers are there to help you! Don’t hesitate to call them with your eligibility questions or to discuss which grant program would be the best fit for your project.

5. You Don’t Have to Budget on Your Own

If you aren’t confident in your budgeting skills, don’t be afraid to ask for support from a friend who has worked with budgets before. Accurate budgeting is crucial for a successful proposal.

6. Follow the Guidelines

Pay close attention to the maximum word count, ensure documents are attached in the proper format, submit on or before the deadline, and follow all other instructions provided. Note application limits, as some funders restrict the number of grants you can apply for or receive per year.

7. Write with Confidence

Make your proposal sound confident by avoiding the conditional tense (“My project could…” or “I would…”). Instead, use definitive language like “My project/I will…” Edit out qualifiers such as “sort of, slightly, overly, really” to strengthen your writing. Use adjectives mindfully and keep your sentences concise.

8. Try the Skim Test

Set your application aside for a few days and return to it with fresh eyes. Try skimming it yourself, and send it to a friend to see if they understand your proposal on the first read. Have them highlight any areas where they had to re-read. Ensure the important parts stand out using paragraphing, sentence structure, and keywords from the application questions.

9. Push Through the First Draft

Sometimes writing can be challenging. Push through the first draft even if it is disorganized and contains typos. Set a time limit or use voice-to-text to overcome writing barriers. The first draft is just a starting point.

10. Set Small Deadlines

Create a grant writing timeline and have a friend hold you accountable. Set small deadlines for having a first draft, sorting out your anticipated expenses, completing a second draft, requesting support letters, and a pre-deadline for submitting your proposal.