SFA Office of Research and Sponsored Programs GRANT WRITING OVERVIEW

1. SFA Office of Research and Sponsored ProgramsGRANTWRITINGOVERVIEW

2. Welcome to ORSP! What is ORSP? The mission of the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP) is to support and promote the research and scholarly/creative activities of SFASU faculty and staff while encouraging compliance and scholarly integrity, in order to support the mission of the University.

3. What is a Sponsored Project? Sponsored program/project activities are defined as those activities, sponsored whole or inpart, by sources external to the University for which there is an expectation (implied or specifically stated) on the part of the sponsor for performance, deliverable(s) or outcome(s). Sponsored programs are generally conducted by faculty, but may be conducted by staff or members of the University administration. Sponsored programs are awarded through various mechanisms - grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and/or other legally binding means of transfer. Sponsored program activities may support instruction, research and/or public service activities. They are identifiable by the following characteristics. A program does not need to include all elements to be considered to be "sponsored."

4. What We Do

5. Who We Are Carrie Brown Director Data analysis/reporting Policies and procedures Monitor Internal (RDF) IACUC Representative Controller Dora Fuselier LetitiaHamiliton Grants Accountant Jennifer Hanlon Assistant Director – POST AWARD Sub-contract development Compliance and monitoring Effort reporting Amendments/revisions Grant close-outs Monitor internal (FRG, MG) Public Affairs Liaison Ashley Gillespie Grants and Contracts Specialist PRE AWARD Funding Opportunities Guideline Interpretation Proposal/Budget Preparation Review of SFA Commitments Proposal Clearance Form Proposal Submission IRB Member Christine Hennessey Research Development Specialist Research Center Support Grant development assistance Promotion of research activities ORSP Website Development Susan McDaniel Coordinator Database Management Grant Processing and Tracking Internal Funds Coordinator Student Management Office Publications Events Coordinator Correspondence

6. Have an idea for a project? Be prepared with concrete ideas; do not let your project be overly influenced by the funder’s needs. Create your project plan FIRST! Write an abstract and draft a budget. Submit to ORSP so we can search for funding opportunities ASAP.

7. Articulate Your Idea Why is your project important? What need does your project fill? What is your goal or aim? How will you measure your success? What do you need to carry our your project successfully?

8. Find Funding Opportunities Talk to colleagues conducting similar research, particularly your mentor(s) Look at funding sources credited in books and journal articles describing similar research Use the Web Schedule a meeting with ORSP staff to discuss your interests

9. Find Funding Opportunities • Read solicitations. See if one suits your needs. • Federal Agencies • State Agencies • Foundations/Corporations • Your Professional Organizations • Individual Donors • See Additional Resources at end of presentation.

10. Review the guidelines. Does SFA have the infrastructure and expertise to conduct the project? Will partners be beneficial? Does the project make good use of SFA resources? Is your project new and unique? Will it catch the funding agency’s attention? Does your project suit the agency’s guidelines?

11. The Proposal Now that you have identified a funding agency, you can begin the proposal!

12. Anatomy of a Proposal Cover Letter Abstract Organization Description Statement of Problem/Need Program Goals and Objectives Methodology or Project Design Evaluation Dissemination Sustainability Budget and Budget Justification

13. General Rules for a Proposal Make sure your project has lasting impact and/or is a model project Write in plain, simple text with no jargon. Don’t assume the reviewer knows what you’re talking about. Send your ideas to ORSP as early as possible.

14. General Rules for Formatting Consistent headings (bold, underline, etc.) Bullets, numbering Well-constructed charts Numbered pages 1” margins, 12-point font Avoid abbreviations and jargon Proofread; have colleagues proofread

15. Sample Proposals • Federal Grant Proposal – US Dept. of Education to create 21st Century Community Learning Center to provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours, particularly for students in high-poverty and low-performing schools http://www.coloradogrants.org/lightsville.html • Private Grant Proposal – Urban Betterment Foundation to form low-income housing management company http://npguides.org/guide/grant1.htm

16. Cover Letter • Addressed to a specific person • Total cost of project, total requested, other sources • Brief statement of purpose • Positive tone • Liaison information • Signed by highest-ranking person in organization SAMPLE: • Plugged In, http://www.pluggedin.org/tool_kit/sample_grant.html

17. Abstract Last Written, First Read One of most important parts No more than a page Future tense Includes statement for each section “Snapshot” of project

18. Organization Description History and mission Target audience/populations served Structure of organization Partnerships Personnel and qualifications Accomplishments Fiscal information, prior grants Positive feedback

19. Problem/Needs Statement (cont.) • Focus on beneficiaries of your project • Specify conditions you wish to change • Use evidence to support (statistics, literature review, your own pilot data) • Do not use jargon • Be realistic

20. Program Goals and Objectives • Keep it SIMPLE. Specific Immediate Measurable Practical Logical Evaluable

21. Methodology or Program Design • For each objective, determine: • What? • Who? • When? • Keep asking yourself, “What’s next?” • Create Timeline/Schedule (visual summary) • Provide rationale for chosen activities/methods • Paint picture in reviewer’s mind – from A to Z

22. Evaluation Consult with evaluator as you write Budget for evaluator Address each objective separately Did I do what I said I would do? How well did I do it?

23. Sustainability • Outline specific plan of action • Show that the foundation’s money will not end with your project. • Consider all the costs • Personnel • Staff training • Payment to human participants • Travel

24. Budget and Justification AKA budget narrative, budget explanation Written, narrative explanation Justifies each item in budget request Matches budget table/spreadsheet Matches proposal narrative

25. Proposal Clearance Process The university’s commitment is documented on the Proposal Clearance Form (PCF) #1 The Project Director (PI/PD) fills out the PCF, signs it, and secures signatures of Chair and Dean (or appropriate supervisor). #2 The PD sends the form to ORSP with the project package (proposal, final budget, forms, etc). #3 ORSP reviews and submits package to appropriate administrative officials for signature. Your proposal is now ready for submission to the funding agency! Coordinate submission with ORSP.

26. SFA’s Authorized Signatory SFA’s President is the only person who can legally sign a contract or agreement on behalf of SFA. Although you will most likely be the project director, the award will not be to you, but rather to SFA. SFA is the applicant and the awardee. Since SFA is legally responsible for the performance of the work, the SFA units affected by your project must be aware of commitments involving them which are included in your proposal.

27. Didn’t get funded? Read reviewer comments and try to be as objective as possible. View rejection as an opportunity to try again. Decide whether proposal should be resubmitted or if you should develop a new research plan. Don’t get discouraged – no one can win all the time.

28. Remember! Follow the guidelines Be mindful of sponsor interests Contact sponsor in advance (when allowed) If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!

29. Questions? Dr. Carrie Brown, Director brownch@sfasu.edu Jennifer Hanlon, Assistant Director hanlonjd@sfasu.edu Ashley Gillespie, Grants and Contracts gillespiar1@sfasu.edu Christine Hennessey, Research Development Specialist hennessece@sfasu.edu Susan McDaniel, ORSP Coordinator smcdaniel@sfasu.edu

30. Additional Resources • Funding Sources • The Foundation Center http://foundationcenter.org/ • Foundation Finder http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/foundfinder/ • Electronic Newsletters http://foundationcenter.org/newsletters

31. Federal Resources Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/applicants/email_subscription.jsp U. S. Department of Education http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edinfo/index.html National Institutes of Health http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/listserv.htm National Science Foundation https://service.govdelivery.com/service/multi_subscribe.html?code=USNSF&custom_id=823 Federal Register (official publication) http://listserv.access.gpo.gov/

32. State Resources • Texas Register http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/index.shtml • Texas Department of State Health Services • Funding Information Center http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/fic/ficinfo.shtm • Funding Alert (electronic newsletter) http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/fic/al20-2.shtm