CANADIAN GRANT PROPOSAL TIPS

Many research projects can be summarized simply by filling in the blanks on this handy little template. Try it, and then revise as needed! Source: Chick, N.L., Cornell-­‐Swanson, L., Lazarides, K., & Meyers, R. (2014). "Reconciling Apples & Oranges: A Constructivist SoTL Writing Program," International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 8(2): 1-­‐42. Available at: http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ij-­‐sotl/vol8/iss2/13

A funding relationship is a business relationship. And the key to any relationship, personal or business, is to LISTEN to the other party so you can make sure you deliver what they want, to get what you want. Therefore you need to make sure that you are writing to the criteria they'll be judging you by. Give them exactly what they want, and they'll give you what  you want: MONEY! So how do you make sure that you're writing your proposal from a place of listening and not just talking about things from your own point of view? Here's how: I suggest that you begin a grant proposal with a mind-map, by which I mean that you should take a physical pen, pencil, or crayon in your hand, and a piece of paper, and write, with your hand, on that piece of paper. Write everything that comes to mind about your research and what you want it to be. Don't write in lines. Write in columns, or circles, or concept-map triangles, but keep the ideas fluid. To organize your i...

Since a grant proposal is a "sale" you need to make,  start with Dale Carnegie's books. If you haven't read " How to Win Friends and Influence People," find the time to do so. It's one of the best books out there, and it will help you to sell your ideas. * Here are some of the ideas from his "Golden Book," which summarizes the main ideas of his larger books.  (I'm not alone in thinking this is a great book -- I went to the library web page to see if I could sign out an electronic copy for the pleasure of reading it again, and look at how many people have it on hold! I'll go buy an electronic copy. This is some of the best education you can get.)

From Canadian funder Grand Challenges, http://www.grandchallenges.ca , see the link below for an excellent presentation about how to write compelling proposals. A key element of their presentation is why "upside down triangles," which deliver the point you want your reader to know at the beginning, are so much stronger as a writing method than meandering paragraphs that only get to the point at the end. They offer several excellent examples about how to write fewer words and deliver stronger impact. I am happy to help you employ the techniques they demonstrate in this presentation in my edit. It can be difficult when you've written the material to see what you can cut and keep the same (in fact, a better!) message. Another set of eyes can make all the difference in whether you get that funding or not. http://www.grandchallenges.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/5-Key-Statements-for-a-Grant-Proposal.pdf

Starting a grant application When you have any large document to write, it can be easy to put it off, or to open a document and stare at a blank page for a long time. Here's how to start without hesitation, and it's simple. It's so simple that it seems a bit silly that I am writing this down... however, it works, and a lot of people don't do it, and hence they get stuck. Make the page not blank by starting off writing down your headings. Everything that you write down helps you to refine your ideas, and once you have started putting things down on the page, your brain works away at it. So stop sitting there thinking, and actually start a document with some words on the page. Here are some sensible headings for a grant document to start your thinking. 1. Statement of Need/Significance The most crucial piece of any grant proposal -- why should they be interested in giving you money? What are you doing that benefits society and other human beings? W...

Here is a link to the US Grant Training Centre. Happily for the rest of us, they have shared their wisdom, knowledge, and experience through blog posts we can all benefit from. https://granttrainingcenter.com/blog/ Though this website is American-based, it does have some excellent topics that are good food for thought for all grant writers or would-be grant writers. Here are some sample titles of posts that you will find there. Five Crucial Aspects of Grant Management Seven Characteristics of Successful Grant Writers The Final Step to Avoid Grant Rejection Grant Success: Stop Stating, Start Connecting Grant Success: Start Small, Think Big What are you doing to focus your thoughts on selling the value of your research to others? Remember, think: - concisely, what is it that you do? - how is this valuable to society? - how does it build on or compare with what others have done, and do?