Building a program based on research, field
experience and evidence based behavior
change models/theories
Susan Bergson
Michael Robinson
Jack Carrel
Based on Presentation by: B.D. Hayes, DSW, MPH, MSWMorehouse School of Medicine
Learning Objectives
• To provide a model for developing your proposal ideas
based on research, field experience and evidence based
behavior change models/theories
• To review winning grant writing tips
• To identify strategies for mutually beneficial
partnering/collaborations
• To increase funding for a variety of projects
A successful grant proposal is
one that is well-prepared,
thoughtfully planned and
concisely packaged
…………….………….CFDA
Research and Write first
Fund Second
The Three Essential Laws of
Successful Proposal Development
and Grant Writing
• Do your homework
• Follow instructions
• Use Common Sense
General Tips and Comments
• Take sufficient time to prepare a good abstract,
LOI, or a concept paper
• Avoid the use of jargon and acronyms
• Always include a budget and budget justification
• Be careful when/where you cut and paste:
assure uniformity of font size and type
• ALWAYS use a reader and get editorial
assistance
Traits of a Successful Grant
Getter
• Research skills
• Salesmanship skills
• Communication
skills
• Ingenuity skills
• Administrative skills
• Human relations
• Persistence,
dedication, patience
• Ability to work hard
• Political awareness
and action
• Integrity
Step 1: Research
• Before writing up a proposal, look at the research or the
evidence base
– PubMed
– Google Scholar
• Make sure to reference research (cite articles) in your
background or needs statement
• Use what already exists:
– Statewide Coordinated Statement of Need and
Comprehensive Plan
– HIV/AIDS Quarterly and Annual Reports
– New report from the Southern AIDS Coalition
Step 2: Field Experience
• What makes you think that it will work in the context in
which you work and the population you will focus on?
• Conduct focus groups and/or key informant interviews
to understand why and how intervention will work
• If changes to intervention need to be made to fit your
population of interest, what are they?
• Check out article- Cultural adaptation in translational
research: field experiences.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15933334
Step 3: Understanding Behavior
Change Theory
Step 3: Understanding Behavior
Change Theory
Global Causes
of
Death
Injuries
Communicable
diseases, maternal and
perinatal conditions,
and nutritional
deficiencies
9%
Noncommunicable diseases
31%
60%
Source: WHO, World Health Report 2000—Health Systems: Improving Performance (Geneva: WHO,
2000).
Behavior change
reduces risky behaviors
Health Promotion Means Changing
Behavior at Multiple Levels
A
B
C
D
E
Individual: knowledge, attitudes, beliefs,
personality 
Interpersonal: family, friends, peers 
Community: social networks, standards,
norms 
Institutional: rules, policies, informal
structures
Public Policy: local policies related to
healthy practices
Source: Adapted from National Cancer Institute, Theory at a Glance: A
Guide for Health Promotion (2003), available online at http://cancer.gov.
Stages of Change Model
• Changing one’s behavior is a process,
not an event
• Individuals at different levels of change
• Gear interventions to level of change
Source: James O. Prochaska et al., “In Search of How People Change:
Application to Addictive Behaviors,” American Psychologist 47, no. 9 (1992):
1102-14.
Stages of Change Model (cont.)
Precontemplation
Maintenance
Action
Contemplation
Decision
Example Combating HIV/AIDS
in Uganda
• Political support, multisectoral response
• Decentralized behavior change campaigns
• Focus on women and youth, stigma and
discrimination
• Mobilization of religious leaders
• Confidential voluntary counseling and testing
• Social marketing of condoms
• Control and prevention of STIs
Source: Edward C. Green, Rethinking AIDS Prevention: Learning from
Successes in Developing Countries (Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers,
2003).
SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS
• Direct, concise, compelling, convincing,
capable and resourceful
• Addresses a significant/important problem
• Explicit goals, measurable objectives
• Comprehensive but succinct background
review
• Methodology fits problem
• Appropriate funding mechanism
Unsuccessful Applications
• Failure to follow directions
• Lack of new or original
ideas
• Diffuse, superficial, or
unfocused research
• Lacks clearly stated
hypothesis and rationale
• Lack of an overall research
goal; uncertainty about
future directions
• Lack of knowledge about
relevant literature
• Questionable reasoning in
research design
• Lack of demonstrated
experience in selected
methodology (lacks detail)
• Format issues
• Over-ambitious
Developing Your Idea(s)
• Needs Assessment
– Evidence of problem
– Local, county, state, national
• Capability Assessment
– Organizational
– People
– Past and present history
– Resources (funds, expertise, etc.)
Grant Writing Process
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Begins with a good idea
Review the components of a successful grant
Apply the model
Evaluate and discuss the plan
Literature review
Analysis of current research/activity in the field
Develop team
The Task You Face
• Clearly Identify the Need
– Make sure the needs are those of the target
population
• Define the Solution
– Use a Problem/Needs approach
• Carefully Design the Project
– How a problem is defined often determines an
approach to develop a solution
Basic Components
• The Proposal
Summary
• Introduction
• Problem Statement
(or Needs
Assessment)
• Project Objectives
• Project Methods or
Design
• Project Evaluation
• Project Budget
• Future Funding
General Tips and Comments
• Take sufficient time to prepare a good abstract,
LOI, or a concept paper
• Avoid the use of jargon and acronyms
• Always include s budget and budget justification
• Be careful when/where you cut and paste:
assure uniformity of font size and type
• ALWAYS use a reader and get editorial
assistance
Questions?
• Read the directions!
• As you are writing the LOI, please feel free to send
Michael Robinson questions: mrobinson@lphi.org
• Get two other people who are not involved with the
proposal development to read your document
• The Louisiana Community AIDS Partnership is
available to help with technical assistance on all of
your grant applications if you need us.