Research Proposals and Problem Grants
Claire McMurray, Ph.D., KU Writing Center
The Vocabulary of “Grant” “Writing”
What do we mean by “grants”?
Why is it more than just “writing”?
Vocabulary can differ from grant to
grant
It is a learnable skill so train and
practice!
Different Types of Grantors
Government
• Local
• State
• Federal
Foundations
• Community
• Corporate
• Donor advised
funds
Corporations
• Sponsorships
Different Types of Funding
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Research proposal
Capital project
Capacity building
General operating
Specific Project
Arts & culture grant
Continuing support
Curriculum
development
Emergency funds
Facilities/equipment
Employee matching
gifts
Endowment funds
Management/technical
assistance
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In-kind gifts
Matching/challenge support
Seed money
Program related
investments (loan)
Social entrepreneurship
(making $ with your
mission)
Postdoc
Fellowship
And more!
Limitations of Grants
www.grantelligence.com
Steps in the Grant Writing Process
Researching
 Planning
Writing
Editing
Submitting
Revising
Resubmitting
Where does academia fit in the funding
world?
In addition to more
“typical” grants:
Research
proposals
Fellowships
Postdoc
applications
Research Proposals vs Problem Grants
Research Proposals
• Academia
• Main goal:
knowledge
• Hypothesis/research
question
• Unknown outcome
• Thorough literature
review
• Investigator
credibility
• Concludes with
dissemination of
knowledge
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Problem Grants
Non-profits
Main goal:
improvement for a
specific group
Problem statement
Anticipates problems,
shows immediate
results
Explains organization’s
background, history,
mission
Concludes with grant
sustainability
How are they similar?
Both types must:
 Include a summary/abstract
 Explain the project’s methodology
 Show the question’s/problem’s significance
 Demonstrate the project’s contribution
 Include a budget
 Contain good writing (clear, concise, no jargon, etc.)
 Provide good organization (logical flow, helpful subheadings,
etc.)
 Strive to follow the grantor’s instructions completely
 Demonstrate a good “fit”
 Weave all sections of the grant together (show how everything
builds from the core: the question/gap/problem)
 Include a plan for evaluating the project’s success/outcomes
Research Proposals: A Template
 Transmittal letter
 Title page
 Abstract
 Table of contents
 Topic of wide interest
 Brief reference to literature
 Gap in knowledge
 Research question
 Specifics of project
 Literature review
 Methodology
 Timeline
 Budget
 Strong conclusion
theprofessorisin.com
Problem Grants: A Template
Abstract/summary/executive summary
Introduction/credibility/organizational history
Problem statement/statement of need
Methods/procedures
Program objectives and outcomes
Evaluation
Future funding/program sustainability
Budget
Supporting documents
Rules for Good Grant Writing
High impact information first
Bolding/bullets/subheadings are your friends
Follow instructions!
Have others edit your work
Tables and graphs save space and break up text
Action verbs and active voice jazz it up
Use short, concise sentences and short paragraphs
No jargon
No cramming on the page
Be specific as much as possible
Support statements with facts, evidence, etc.
“Man, they weren’t very encouraging.”
www.grantelligence.com
Need some encouragement?
Come visit the Writing
Center for more help!
Grant Resources on Campus
Grant writing books in
the library and Writing
Center
Hall Center for
Humanities
Graduate Writing
Program
Grants/Scholarships
Subject Librarian
KU Office of Research
Check your handout for
more helpful links and
resources!
Questions?
And now for a hands-on activity…