Tips to Getting Your Research Grant Proposal Funded

Key to success: a good idea, presented in a clear and convincing way,that provides all required information in the required format.

  1. Read the description of the grant program and the guidelines carefully to determine eligibility and what level of grant support you wish to request.
  2. Read the instructions carefully, including the directions for submission, the questions to be answered in the narrative of the proposal, the required format for the appendices, and the requirement for page limit and double spaced, 12 point font.
  3. Fill out the application form completely, including all data on page 1, history of previous funding on page 2, and a realistic budget and statement of justification for the budget.
  4. You must convince the Faculty Development Committeethat your budget request is reasonable and necessary to carry out your research plans. Travel expenses should be broken down into realistic requests by category, not specified as a lump sum with a statement such as “expenses for attending a meeting.” If requesting course release(s), in the Plan of Work section of the narrative state clearly why you cannot carry out your proposed project while teaching a regular load. Since full time faculty have access to travel funds through their departments, applicants requesting travel funds must demonstrate that they have first depleted available funds from the department.
  5. Write the narrative in a way that is clear and explicit while minimizing disciplinary jargon as much as possible (if necessary to include, provide definitions) so that non-technical readers can understand your project. It must be understandable to your colleagues on the Faculty Development committeewho are not experts in your field and will not be impressed with – and likely confused by -- terminology or jargon with which they are not familiar.
  6. Answer the questions for each category of the narrative listed in the Instructions. The most difficult section for many applicants is the Plan of Work section. Provide enough detail that reviewers can determine whether you have a sound plan, the expertise, and necessary materials to proceed with the project. You must convince the reviewers that you are ready and able to conduct the project.
  7. Be sure to describe in detail how your proposed project will impact your scholarly agenda and/or your teaching.
  8. Address how you will disseminate the work, including the specific venues for publication or presentation.Be specific: identify target journals, publishers, or conferences that would be appropriate for dissemination of your work.
  9. Provide a detailed timetable that clearly itemizes the tasks to be accomplished and the approximate time needed to do them. Avoid merely breaking the work into semesters and describing a generalized timetable such as “fall – read and review; spring – write.”
  10. Follow the specified format for the bibliography and the Curriculum Vitae. Adhering to a specific format makes it easier for reviewers to find the information they are looking for.
  11. Have someone outside of your field read your proposal and give you feedback. If they can understand your narrative, so will the committee. Faculty Development provides a writing service that can help you review your proposal draft. Contact Dr. Mary Reichardt to arrange a consultation: r (651) 962-6040.

Revised7/10/17