Grant Writing for Social Science Research

1. Based on materials and content presented at the Grants Institute “Grants 101” Conference University of Nevada, Reno January 29-31, 2007 Grant Writingfor Social Science Research

2. Who Gives Money and Why: • Why people or organizations give money • Tax purposes • Personal interests or gratification • Business and PR Reasons • “Guilt” / “Tradition” / “Beliefs” • “Goodness” / “Loyalty” (i.e., alumni associations) • “Bribery” (buttering up) • Achieve a Result (means to an end) • Disasters and Emergencies ** Recent business trend to incorporate charity or philanthropy into product marketing (i.e., selling “awareness” products, hosting events, etc.)

3. Who Gives Money and Why: • PUBLIC 1) Federal Foundations (NSF, NIH, NIMH, etc.) 2) Local and State Public Foundations • NON-PUBLIC (PRIVATE) 1) Private (Independent) Foundations 2) Community Foundations 3) Corporate Foundations 4) Operating Foundations Researching Founding Options & Sources: www.Grants.gov(Notification of Funds Available: NOFA) Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (www.cfda.gov) Foundation Center Library (www.fdncenter.org) Federal Register

4. Who Gives Money and Why: • FINAL POINTS… • Public Sector Fundingis typically more sustainable.(i.e., multi-year grants, repeat or renewed funding) • Private Sector Fundingis typically tied to a specific cause or desired outcome.This funding is harder to sustain (3 years), BUT it can be useful for covering or at least mitigating initial project start-up costs (i.e., supplies, equipment, or other one-time expenses). ** Private funding can be useful for small-budget projects that have been turned down by Federal Foundations. Be careful to take into consideration potential conflicts of interest that may arise due to funding sources (i.e., Chevron sponsors your study on how great oil is).

5. Outline of Proposal • Abstract • (Executive Summary) • (Introduction) • Needs/Problem Statement • Goals and Objectives • Background and Significance • Literature Review • Preliminary Work or Progress to Date • Work Plan and Methods • (Evaluation) • Budget • (Budget Narrative) • Attachment and Certifications • Social Research: • other common terms • Abstract • Intellectual Merit • Literature Review • Methodology *Different funding groups have tailored versions of these elements

6. Abstract • Details and specifications for Abstract will vary according to which agency/group your grant is being directed. • For non-research proposals (i.e., applying for civil works grant to restore historic buildings, etc.), this section is titled “Introduction.” The same “introductory” idea applies to scientific research. • Basic principles (analogues to Research Writing) • Brief description of study/research/project • Introduction of relevant theory (brief) • Introduction to hypotheses • Introduction to methods (etc.) • Introduction to your qualifications (you and who is sponsoring you) • Set the time frame for your proposal (i.e., 1-year review of sample cases) • Wrap everything up in a tight little bundle. Give them a glimpse of what the rest of the proposal will hold. Be sure to reinforce statements you make here throughout the proposal. ** This is often written LAST

7. Needs / Problem Statement Why is it imperative that your research continue or take place at all? • What need is your research addressing (i.e., academic, social, application to a community problem/need) AND why is this need so important that you deserve this funding? • Cater to your audience: Different institutions have different views • NSF = Intellectual Merit (etc.) • Other organizations may use “Impact” or “Justification” language. • MAKE YOUR CASE (put the fear of God into them – a little). • State the need using hard-core statistics, not assumptions. • Why are you the right one to take care of this “problem”?

8. Goals and Objectives • This should tie directly into the “Needs” statement. • Goals and Objectives should refer back to previous “targets.” • Objectives should be stated in quantifiable terms. • i.e., We will conduct a survey of 50% of the homeless population • Objectives should be stated in terms of outcomes. • i.e., We will increase awareness of the plight of the homeless. • Objectives should be realistic and capable of being accomplished within the time frame indicated. • i.e., … no claims of curing world hunger in 2-years • Reasonable: We will increase aid given to the homeless through “awareness campaigns.” • Determine how you will measure change or progress made towards your objectives. • i.e., We will monitor the amount of donations made to the homeless before and after our study and “awareness campaigns” to monitor our effect on the community.

9. Background & Significance • This is better known as the LITERATURE REVIEW • Once again, you are MAKING YOUR CASE. • NOW further explain the elements you introduced in your Abstract. • Go into further detail and fill out the framework you’ve created • One of the most common reviewer comments is that a proposal is “a-theoretical” … You will be using previous scholarly research in this section to bring theory to the forefront of this proposal and build your case from it. • Tie this in with statements you’ve made about the high need for the work you are proposing. (Again, shake them down a little bit.) • Emphasize how your research is necessary as an expansion of previous work, not simply a reiteration. • What are you adding to the field? • What impact are you having?

10. Preliminary Work, Progress The inclusion of this section is highly variable. ***Some applications/proposals include it, some do not. • If you are proposing new research, emphasize similar projects (in terms of methods, funding requested, etc.) that have been successful in the past). • Demonstrate that you and your sponsors are capable of carrying the proposed product through to fruition by giving positive examples of past completions. • If you are not proposing new research, detail the progress that you have made on your existing line of research. • This is especially pertinent if you are seeking continued funding because your current grant has run out / timeline expired.

11. Work Plan and Methods • This is better known simply as the METHODS section • Tie this into your Objectives and Goals & Needs statement • Methods are the specific steps you will take: • Sampling • Measures • Instruments • … and many other elements of the WORKINGS of your research *** EACH METHOD WILL HAVE A TIMELINE (temporal execution) • Include rationale for choosing your methods. Review the relevant theory pertaining to the way you propose to use your measures, instruments, etc.. • Build methods upon one another to reinforce the timeline • Don’t assume the reviewer is intimately familiar with your methods. Lay it all out in black and white.

12. Budget • Must reflect the cost of applying your methods. • Must include all of the relevant supply and materials costs. • Must reflect funding for PI, Co-PI, RAs, Undergrads, etc. • Must include a narrative or lines of justification • Must reflect the timeline of your research project. • Must include direct and indirect costs. • Be familiar with the relevant overhead costs for your university: • UNR: http://www.unr.edu/ospa/ • Every budget for every proposal is different. I highly suggest creating an Excel spreadsheet for your project.

14. I5 = F5 + H5 (Base + Fringe) Using simple equations, you can use Excel to calculate totals AND have your entire budget “linked” correctly to automatically calculate or recalculate your budget. This will allow you to “play” with budget adjustments without having to rework the numbers by hand. For “advanced” Excel options, see slide at end of presentation (or see Help menu in Excel).*Main “advanced” feature = rounding (rounding final product, using rounded figures in calculations) The budget included with the grant will include a narrative or justifications. When creating that page, double check your figures (verify that you’ve entered numbers correctly into the Excel spreadsheet – consistent with the project you are proposing). ALWAYS have someone go over your budget before submission.

15. Creating a “Standards” Page You can create a new page in your spreadsheet and compile a “standards” page. This is useful for lining up all of your repeated values (wages, hours, # of documents or surveys, etc.) in one location. Create links to this page throughout your spreadsheet wherever that value appears. This will allow you to make changes on your standards page that will be automatically updated throughout your spreadsheet.This takes the guesswork out of “making sure” you updated all of the fields that are involved in your budget adjustment.These set-up procedures take time, but the time and accuracy they save you during the budget processes is invaluable.

16. Attachments / Certifications • Inclusion of this section is also highly variable. • This may also be included as an “Appendix” for additional requested documentation. Most Commonly Requested Attachments (will vary according to research/non-research proposals) • IRS letter • List of Board Members and Affiliations • Agency’s yearly budget • Annual Audit and IRS 900 • Organizational brochure • Current Newsletter • Latest Annual Report • Long-range plan • Other funding agencies to whom the proposal is being sent • Letters of support

17. Top 10 Grant-Related Problems (10) Forcing a program to meet grant guidelines (9) Failing to incorporate fringe costs into salary structure (8) Not clearly defining goals vs. objectives vs. methods (7) Failing to develop a relationship with funding groups (6) Waiting until it’s too late to start gathering support letters (5) Using acronyms - don’t assume granting agency is familiar with program (4) Not following the grant guidelines (3) Misspelling and typo issues (2) Budget doesn’t add up (1) Not reporting back to funding agencies per terms of grant award

18. Points to Remember (1) People fund people! (2) Do your homework before approaching a potential donor. (3) Write to your audience. (4) Demonstrate your passion. (5) Connect budget content to budget narrative (and vice versa). (6) Demonstrate support you have secured already (internal/external). (7) Ask for what you need in order to accomplish your work. (8) Have your proposal (especially budget) reviewed before submission*. (9) Avoid “over-presentation.” (10) After you’ve received grant, keep funding agencies informed of progress. * The transmittal process at UNR includes a full budget review. However, you should not rely on this process as your one and only review.

19. Additional Tips • Proposal must include explicit discussion or application of theory • Common reviewer criticism is proposal is “a-theoretical” • Allow plenty of time to get Transmittal sheet signatures • AT LEAST 48 hours in advance of submission due date • Target Date vs. Due Date • Keep deadlines clear (last minute revisions impossible if no time) • Submitting at the last minute has risks (server overload, etc.) • Grants.gov and Fastlane (know format, set-up requirements) • Create a budget template in Microsoft Excel • Saves hours and increases accuracy of budget recalculations • Uses simple formulas • Allows for instant updates with shifting figures • Easy to adapt for future/similar proposals

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21. Budget: Rounding in Excel Calculate using rounded figures:In equation bar:=ROUND(G6*H6,0) = [always begin with this sign]ROUND [function to perform](cells & ops, # of places rounded to) Number of places rounded to is key:* nearest dollar = 0** Excel automatically calculates to the nearest hundredth. No special rounding is needed if you want the EXACT amount of your budget. You must enter the ROUND command for every cell you want rounded. Keep in mind, simply rounding the TOTAL column IS NOT the same as rounding each component that created that total. -- If you choose not to round inside of Excel, BE CAREFUL to round every part of the final budget (w/narrative or justifications) by hand if your granting institutions/agency requires rounded figures. In the selected cell (I6), rounding made a difference.