Research Proposals and Problem Grants Claire McMurray, Ph.D., KU Writing Center

1. Research Proposals and Problem GrantsClaire McMurray, Ph.D., KU Writing Center

2. 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!

3. Different Types of Grantors • Foundations • Community • Corporate • Donor advised funds • Government • Local • State • Federal • Corporations • Sponsorships

4. Different Types of Funding • 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 • In-kind gifts • Matching/challenge support • Seed money • Program related investments (loan) • Social entrepreneurship (making $ with your mission) • Postdoc • Fellowship • And more!

5. Limitations of Grants www.grantelligence.com

6. Steps in the Grant Writing Process • Researching • Planning • Writing • Editing • Submitting • Revising • Resubmitting

7. Where does academia fit in the funding world? In addition to more “typical” grants: • Research proposals • Fellowships • Postdoc applications

8. 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 • 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Rules for Good Grant Writing • High impact information first • Bolding/bullets/subheadings are your friends • Follow instructions! • Have others edit your work • Tablesand graphssave 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.

13. “Man, they weren’t very encouraging.” www.grantelligence.com

14. Need some encouragement? Come visit the Writing Center for more help!

15. 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!

16. Questions?

17. And now for a hands-on activity…