1. Introduction to Grant Writing

What Is a Grant?

• Definition: A grant is a non-repayable financial award provided to support a specific project, program, or research initiative (not a loan).

• Primary Purposes of Grants:

  • Seed funding for new or innovative ideas

  • Scaling successful or proven models

  • Sustaining ongoing operations

  • Supporting research, monitoring, and evaluation

2. Types of Grant Funding

By Project Size & Scope

• Pilot Grants

  • Small funding amounts

  • Short duration

  • Proof of concept

  • Lower risk and lower reporting burden

• Large-Scale Grants

  • High funding value

  • Multi-year duration

  • Infrastructure development

  • Expansion and scaling of programs

3. Types of Funders

• Federal/National Agencies

  • Large funding amounts

  • Highly competitive

  • Strict compliance and reporting

• State & Local Government Grants

  • Region-specific priorities

  • Moderate competition

  • Local impact focus

• Private Foundations & Philanthropic Organizations

  • Issue-specific or general funding

  • Flexible program models

  • Relationship-based funding potential

• Institutional Funders / University Internal Grants

  • Early-stage research support

  • Pilot project funding

  • Capacity building

Pros & Cons of Different Funders

• Flexibility vs. strict guidelines

• Level of reporting burden

• Indirect cost allowances (overhead)

• Mission alignment and competitiveness

4. Sections of a Grant Proposal (“Anatomy of a Proposal”)

Participants are introduced to the major sections of a standard proposal and the purpose of each:

• Abstract / Executive Summary
  Concise overview of the problem, proposed solution, and key outcomes.

• Specific Aims / Goals & Objectives
  What the project intends to achieve.

• Background / Significance / Literature Review
  Why the problem matters and what is already known.

• Methods / Approach / Study Design
  How the project will be implemented.

• Evaluation / Outcomes / Metrics / Impact
  How success will be measured.

• Budget & Budget Justification

  • Personnel

  • Equipment

  • Supplies

  • Operational costs

  • Indirect costs (overhead)

• Timeline / Work Plan

• Sustainability & Dissemination Plan

• Personnel, Institutional Capacity & Facilities

• Supporting Documents

  • Letters of support

  • Appendices

  • Biosketches

  • Certifications

5. Grant Lifecycle Overview

• Pre-Award Phase

  • Identify opportunities

  • Assess organizational readiness

  • Develop proposal strategy

• Award Phase

  • Grant notification

  • Budget negotiation

  • Agreement and compliance requirements

• Post-Award Phase

  • Project implementation

  • Monitoring and evaluation

  • Financial reporting and progress reports