GRANT WRITING SMART GUIDE
It’s all about convincing the Program Officer / Reviewers that your idea is competitive and that
you’re qualified to do the project. Use this checklist to help you create successful proposals.
Contact Program Officer via email and ask,
“Is my research idea appropriate for this program?”
Review the federal agency database of funded grants to determine what has been
funded.
Secure a copy of a funded grant to serve as a guide.
Study the NSF Website on Funding – How to Prepare Your Proposal
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/preparing/
NSF A Guide for Proposal Writing
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/1998/nsf9891/nsf9891.htm
NIH Annotated R01 Grant Application
http://funding.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/grants/app/default.htm
Read, mark up, develop checklist of application / guideline requirements
Draft proposal well in advance of deadline, minimum of three months
Have proposal reviewed by multiple reviewers for idea development and for guideline
compliance. Get feedback from colleagues, grants administrators, and Sponsored
Programs.
Revise proposal drafts, paying very close attention to the proposal abstract / summary
and needs statement.
The budget must match the proposal narrative.
Proposals don’t become grants on assumptions! Meaning, don’t leave out critical
details. Meaning, follow the guidelines!
Contact the agency Program Officer and ask to be a reviewer. The experience is
invaluable in understanding the competitive process and what it takes to get funded.
VISIT the agency! Go to Washington, D.C. and meet with Program Officers.
RESUMBIT declined proposals! The statistics indicate higher success rates on
subsequent submissions.
For additional grant writing resources, visit: www.usouthal.edu/osp.