This presentation summarizes the key principles in writing grant proposals.

1. DEVELOPING A GRANT
PROPOSAL
TILAHUN HAREGU
MARCH 2017
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2. No grant comes through without a proposal! To get a
grant, you must write a good proposal. To write such a
proposal, you must read the call very well.
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3. Facts about grant writing
“Best way to never get a grant:
◦ Don’t write one!”
“Best way to get a grant:
◦ Follow the instructions!”
“Where shall I begin?”
◦ “Begin at the beginning, and stop
when you get to the end.”
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“When something can
be read without effort,
great effort has gone
into its writing.”
Enrique JP

4. Write on the most important & simplest
idea
Dream for the most important research
idea you would like to do.
◦ An idea is something that only exists in your
mind.
Think of the simplest research idea you
could easily implement.
◦ Your task is to present the idea in a fundable
proposal.
The simplest concepts are the most
powerful.
◦ Take a simple idea and identify a specific
problem or need associated with it
“Simplicity is the key to
happiness in the modern
world."
Dalai Lama
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5. Science is not everything!
There is high investment in
research.
◦ You can find the money
you need!
Science is NOT everything!
◦ Grant writing is both a science
and an art!
“There is no grantsmanship that
will turn a bad idea into a good
one, but there are many ways to
disguise a good idea.”
Norm Braverman, NIH
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6. Types of Proposals
RFAs/RFPs – EU, NIH, USAID, DfID, etc.
◦ Clearly specified guidelines; Often require partnerships
◦ Speak to the call, underline key words
Unsolicited inquiries
◦ Based on clearly identified synergies – do your homework!
◦ Show why they should give you attention
Sole invitations
◦ Often based on ongoing relationship
◦ Understand why you were chosen/invited
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7. Writing a Grant is Like Playing a Game
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You have to play by the rules:
• GET the guidelines
• READ the guidelines
• FOLLOW the guidelines (it is
their money!)
– Use the key terms in your proposal
that the funder used to describe what
they want to fund.

8. Parts of a GrantApplication
The title
Abstract/Summary
Problem or Needs Statement
Goals and Objectives
Methodology
Project management
Quality of Key Personnel and
institution
Evaluation plan
Dissemination plan
References Cited
Budget & Narrative
Appendices
◦ CVs of applicants
◦ Forms, Certifications and Assurances
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9. Problem/Needs statement
Make a compelling case why you should be
funded.
What is the idea or problem I want to
examine/address?
Why is it important? To whom?
What related research/project has been done
before and why is mine different/needed?
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The
WHY!
1. State the problem
2. State the known
3. Describe the gap
4. Why fill this gap

10. Problem/Needs statement
-The first sentence is the problem.
-Then clarify the problem by defining both
the behavior and what is normal.
-States that this is a pressing need which is
hopefully the need the funder is
addressing
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11. Goals and objectives
Flow logically from the statement of need
Convey the ultimate intent of the proposed
project
state the essence of the proposed work in
terms of what will be accomplished.
Break the goal down to specific measurable
pieces, the outcomes of which can be
measured to determine actual
accomplishments.
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The
WHAT!
Be bold
But realistic

12. Plan of Action, Project design or
Methodology
◦ Allotted the most points.
◦ Often poorly written
◦ 40% proposals are turned down b/c of this
◦ Most detailed and lengthy section of
activities
◦ Task oriented, specific, detailed
◦ Demonstrate all the steps necessary to
complete project, including management.
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The
HOW!

13. Management/Key Personnel
Demonstrate that you are the right
person to do this project.
Convince the funding agency the you
are capable of accomplishing what you
say
Highlight the expertise and experience
of all key personnel
Indicate responsibilities of all, and level
of effort
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The
WHO!
Who Are these
People, and Why
Should we Give them
our Money?

14. Why your institution?
Why should the award be made to your
institution?
Experience in managing similar projects.
Highlight institution’s capabilities, relation of
the project to mission.
Capacity to manage the project.
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The 2nd
WHO!
Capacity
Experience

15. Evaluation Plan
Address both process and outcome
Tell who will be the evaluators and how they will be
chosen
Define the evaluation design (use logical/result
frameworks)
Plan to evaluate the achievement of each objective
Describe data collection and analysis methods
Indicate how evaluation findings will be used
Describe evaluation reports to be produced
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16. Logical Framework (example): Integrated Pest Management (Fruit Fly)
Narrative summary ObjectivelyVerifiable indicators Means of
verification
Assumptions
Goal Increased income of
farmers; reduced insecticide
pollution
20% increase in net income of
mango farmers in Kenya by 2020
Economic,
environment
reports
Mangos production
continues as main
source of economy
Purpose Increased production of
good quality Mangos
increased;
Decreased expenditure in
insecticides
50% reduction in the amount of
mango produce being rejected by
buyers in Kenya by 2020.
30% decrease on insecticide
expenditure of farmers in Kenya
by 2020
Socio-economic
studies
Use of IPM is not
counteracted by
subsidized
insecticide
Outputs Proven IPM package of
baiting & male annihilation,
biological control and
cultural control
IPM package proven to be
effective by 2017
Research
reports
Legal status given
to IPM
Activities Identify the elements;
Developing Package of IPM;
Conducting experiments.
Inputs/Resources:
Human resources
Lab infrastructure
Costs/Budget:
Personnel: $$$
Equipment:$$$
Effective and
inexpensive
extracts available
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17. Dissemination Plan
How will you make the research results
available to others?
Describe your dissemination plan and
target audiences.
Consider websites, publications,
presentations at conferences, training &
education, public outreach, etc.
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How do
you get it
out!

18. Sustainability/Continuation
What happens when the money runs out?
Funders want to have a lasting impact
and they want to know how that will
happen.
Describe how you propose to continue the
project beyond the funding that you are
requesting
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So/Then
what?

19. Demonstrate ethics throughout the grant
-Have I thought about the ethics of what I am
planning to do?
-Are there any sensitive issues or potential problems
which need to be addressed?
-Have I fully consulted on these issues and obtained
the relevant clues where required?
-Any conflict of interest? You need to have interests
in the first place.
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In writing
In negotiation
In implementation
In evaluation
In reporting

20. Evaluation Criteria
The applicant
◦ Professional standing; current commitments; Personal integrity; Experience; Productivity; etc.
The application
◦ Technical and scientific merit (why, what, how)
The institution/consortium
◦ Can it support the implementation?
◦ Can it effectively manage the resources?
The budget
◦ How realistic is it?
The value-for money
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21. So What Do Reviewers Look For?
Great ideas
◦ Simple, relevant and implementable ideas
◦ Great promise/potential for impact
From great individuals
◦ Who have the capacity to deliver on their promise
◦ And the track record to prove it
Working in great institutions
◦ Able to provide conducive environment for the work
◦ Able to provide fiduciary oversight to the work
Great value for money and Value-addition
◦ Beyond the funded mandate
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22. Read the call and review your draft!
Read, Read, Read and Read again!
◦ Reading a call
◦ Studying the targeted funder
Speak to the call
◦ Identify and use key words, phrases,
concepts
Review and review again
◦ Don’t be a lone ranger
Note the deadlines and respect them religiously
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No effort in grant
writing is wasted!
Rejection?
- Proposal
- Experience
- Lessons

23. Your audience and requirements
Consider your audience. Reviewers/panels can range from experts to
educated generalists/non-experts. Avoid jargon.
You want to get the reader’s attention right at the beginning and convey
your enthusiasm for your research/project.
Follow the specifications: font size, margins, length and/or word count,
and sequence and organization of sections. Use subheadings.
Decide upon and prepare any attachments that are permitted.
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24. Appropriate Writing Style
Write to the funder
Write in the correct language
Write to inform
◦ Don’t use language that is biased
Write to persuade
◦ Use data from reputable source
Edit your work -The fine balance
between wordiness and brevity that
equals clarity
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“If I waited for
perfection, I would never
write a word!”
Margaret Atwood

25. Big “Nos” in grant writing
Plagiarism
Claiming no previous work exists
Dismissing existing research, rather than working with them
Little evidence of gaps and how to innovatively fill it
Thinking traditionally
Wanting to do everything or nothing
Hoping the reviewers will figure it out
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