Introduction to Grant Proposals at UHCL

1. Introduction to Grant Proposals at UHCL Office of Sponsored Programs http://www.uhcl.edu/research

2. Key Points • Staff of Sponsored Programs • UHCL Funding Opportunities • The “Why” and “How” of Proposal Writing • Grants and the Internet • Parts of a Grant Proposal • Proposal Submission

3. OSP Staff • Dr. Paul Meyers – Executive Director • Lee Folk - Assistant Director • Loretta Derrick - Grant Development Specialist • Roberta Hohmann – Administrative Secretary • Laura Moseley – Research Administration Accountant

4. UHCL Funding Opportunities • Faculty Research Support Fund – OSP • Institute of Space Systems Operations- OSP • Environmental Institute of Houston • Faculty Development Support Funds – Deans’ Office

5. What is a Sponsored Award? • Grants • Cooperative Agreements • Contracts • Gifts** **Note: Gifts are proposed and administered by University Advancement – Office of the President

6. Why Write a Grant Proposal? • To accomplish your goal(s) • To address a need or solve a problem • To respond to a Request For Proposals (RFP) • To obtain resources otherwise not available • Develop a proposal to meet sponsor’s priorities and philosophy.

7. What are the First Steps? • Formulate an idea, but stay flexible • Gather information • Document the need • Find a sponsor • Determine the sponsor’s funding priorities and applicant eligibility

8. Focus the Idea • What is the anticipated project outcome? • What is the project significance? • Who will be affected by the project?

9. Move from “Idea” to “Plan” • Assess your resources and assets • Determine what infrastructure is already in place • Identify the activities or services the grant will provide • Consider partnerships or collaborations • Consider the project’s uniqueness and how society will benefit from it.

10. Identify an Appropriate Funding Source • Searchable Databases on the WWW (and shortcut found on OSP website) • The Grant Advisor Plus • Community of Science (COS) • GRC GrantSearch • Funding Agency Websites • Foundation Center Websites

11. Verify the Instructions • Obtain the necessary forms and guidelines • Adobe Acrobat Reader for PDF files • Read the guidelines closely for program priorities and proposal format requirements • Make initial contact with the funding agency’s program officer

12. Basic Parts of a Proposal • Need Statement • Goals/Objectives • Project Plan • Management Plan & Key Personnel • Evaluation Plan • Dissemination Plan • Continuation Plan

13. Basic Parts of a Proposal • Facilities and Equipment • Budget and Budget Explanation • And let’s not forget… • Abstract • Table of Contents • Appendices

14. Importance of Need Statement • First part of the Project Description • Set the tone for rest of proposal • Contains essential elements of the proposal -- goals, objectives, costs • Proves your point at outset of proposal

15. Need Statement • Define the problem to be addressed • Support argument with data (demographics, expert testimony, etc.) • Identify the target population • State the significance of the project in terms of time, people, etc. • Acknowledge similar efforts

16. Methods of Proof of Need • Research, research, research • Sources on the Internet via OSP Home Page • Books, articles, newspapers • Oral interviews • Surveys • Notes • Statistics -- numbers of people, places, things

17. Methods of Proof of Need • Similar projects elsewhere • Important people in the field who have identified and worked on the problem • Sponsors who have funded the problem • Consultants who have come in and said this problem must be solved (in addition to what has been done) to improve the situation

18. Project Significance • Solution will streamline operations to improve situation for numerous people (students, community, partnerships) • Solution will enhance productivity by . . . • Solution will save money for (nation, state, locality, department, partnership)

19. Impact • Impact of problem on: • people • places • things • Impact of solving the problem on: • nation • state, region, locality

20. Now Start Thinking About... THE BUDGET

21. Goals • Goals: General statements of what will be achieved • Have no more than 3 or 4 obtainable goals • State goals in terms of outcomes • Look at the long-term view • State goals in qualitative terms Link goals to Need Statement

22. Objectives • Objectives: Specific expectations stated in quantitative terms • Write objectives based on outcomes of goals statements • Explain how you get to the long-term Link Objectives to your Goals!!!

23. Project Plan (a.k.a. Activities) • Based on Need Statement and Objectives • Steps to be executed to accomplish objectives and solve the need (problem) • Plan of work • Methods / Procedures to be used • Who is responsible for each step • Schedule or timeline • Cost / Value

24. Management Plan & Key Personnel • In Narrative • Qualifications and responsibilities of key personnel • Indication of amount of effort and availability • Supporting letter from consultant or collaborator • In Appendix • Vitae • Job descriptions

25. Evaluation Plan • Formative (Process) Evaluation • Plan for a constant, continuous assessment of the project’s procedures to determine what is working and what is not working • Summative (Product) Evaluation • Evaluate the project’s effectiveness • Have the objectives been satisfied? • Integrate both Process & Product Evaluation

26. Dissemination Plan • Share results of the project with others • Publications • Presentations • Web pages • Distribution of a product • Technical report • Site visits • Email

27. Continuation Plan • Assure sponsor that your institution can maintain the project after funding ceases. • Break down by costs of the commitment and where they will come from • Adopt a “can-do” attitude • Explain how your project can replace other, less efficient ones

28. Facilities and Equipment • Description of unique resources or capabilities based on what is on hand already • Institutional context and contribution

29. Budget and Budget Explanation • Salaries/Personnel (typically 70% to 80% of budget) • Fringe Benefits • Materials and Supplies • Travel • Equipment • Participant Support (if required) • Direct Costs • Facilities & Administrative Costs (Indirect Costs) • Total Costs

30. Abstract, Table of Contents and Appendices • Limit each to one page -- do last • Abstract – • Short and concise (to the point) • Emphasize significance and outcome; self-contained description of what will occur if $$ are provided • Write for the one-look reviewers, use this opportunity to sell your idea • Table of Contents -- make sure it matches your page numbers • Appendices -- only supplementary materials

31. Submitting the External Proposal • Double-check the Deadline • Target date vs. deadline • Postmark date • Receipt date • Obtain internal approvals • Make copies • Send the proposal!

32. Follow up -- Awarded • Negotiate with the funding agency • Keep good records • Make a final report • Plan for the future

33. Follow up -- Declined • Obtain feedback and ask for reviewers’ comments • Make modifications • Identify a new sponsor? • Resubmit!

34. Be Relentless “Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.” -Zora Neale Hurston

35. For More Information • Contact the Office of Sponsored Programs at 281-283-3015 • Our website is: http://www.uhcl.edu/research