How to Write a Grant Proposal for a lot of money

Or How to spend a lot of time and get really depressed when your grant gets rejected !!

Why Should I Bother?

Increasingly it is necessary for even
state or federal supported programs to obtain funds from granting agencies.
Help buy classroom equipment Help you hire additional persons Buy out your own time (e.g., temp. teachers) Fund travel to conferences & workshops

Where do U apply?
Federal
NSF ONR DOD NASA EPA NOAA NPS USFWS

State
SFWMD DEP Florida Fish and Wildlife

Where do U apply?
Private
National Science Teachers Assoc. National Marine Educators Assoc. National Geographic Nature Conservancy Bellsouth Textbook/Computer Banks/Local Businesses

Philanthropic

Gates Foundation Kecht Foundation Kellogg Foundation Pew Charitable Trust Toyota Tapestry Michael Jordan Kodak Target

What Do You Need?

A good Idea
An idea An idea An idea An idea goals whose time has come in the news which has relevance which links research and education

What Do You Need?

A good proposal
Stick to the proposal guideline Page Limit Prescribed format concerning text Look for linkages A good looking proposal

Institutional approval

What is in a Proposal (NSF)?

Information about PIs (White, Black, Male/ Female, US,
Non-US etc) Cover Sheet (1 page) Certification Page (1 Page) Project Summary (1 page) Table of Contents (1 page) Project Description (up to 15 page narrative including figures and results from prior NSF support) References CV (2 page per person maximum) Budget Budget justification Current and Pending Support Facilities Equipment and other Resources

Title Page (or Cover Sheet)

Includes Title of Project Includes Agency and contact person Includes beginning and ending dates Includes total amount requested (not

always) Institutional signatures (not always) PI contact information (phone number, email, fax etc)

Project Summary
Abstract/ Executive Summary Identifies
Applicant Need Project goals Major objectives

Brief/Free of Jargon No more than 1 page

Table of Contents
Lists all sections of the proposal Different formats for different agencies

Project Description
Statement of Need
Relates of the goals and purposes of agency How will research benefit education, society etc. State what will be done and what will be expected

Project Description
Narrative (Up to 15 pages including figures and
Previous Work Hypotheses Null Hypothesis Proposed Work Methods Time Table Deliverables Qualifications of personnel

appendices, but not references or budget justification, CV, or supplementary documentation)

References
Not usually included in total page count Follow the one format required by the
agency (e.g. APA, MLA)

Budget
Budget pages required by the agency Budget justification
Salary Fringe Rate Travel Supplies Analyses Overhead Rate

Current and Pending Support

Any other grants you currently have or
that you have applied for
Include title Dates Percent coverage Amount

Points to Remember
Read your proposal thoroughly
Do not be sloppy The worst review is a sloppy proposal Be consistent Check references Check spelling (be wary of spell check)

Make a check list and make sure every

thing is there

Other Considerations
Cover Letter
Suitable Referees Non suitable referees

Number of copies Every agency has different requirements!! Deadlines

Most Federal agencies have similar one although some subtle and important differences. Always read the Request For Proposals (RFP). Fed Ex Web submittal (NSF Fastlane)

Color or B&W

Requirements for INSTAR Grant Proposals

Cover Sheet Table of Contents Summary/Abstract Project Description
Statement of Need Narrative

References CV Budget
Budget Justification

Background Proposed Work Methods Expected Outcome Timetable

Formulating an IDEA
The idea is to write a research paper or a
grant proposal using preliminary data which you will collect in your theme How does this idea relate to your theme?
In the Earth System Science theme we are investigating the change in water chemistry relative to the coastline. There is a measurable change in water chemistry relative to the coast as a result of saltwater intrusion.

For example:

The hypothesis might be:

In Your Grant..
Hypothesis:
There is a measurable change in water chemistry relative to the coast as a result of saltwater intrusion

Present preliminary data which supports hypothesis

and describe additional data requirements Additional sampling Installation of wells Temporal samples

Research Paper

Title Authors & Address Abstract Introduction
Includes a brief statement of the purpose of the paper Background/Setting

Methods Results
Do not confuse results with discussion

Discussion Conclusions Acknowledgments References

Common Errors
Do not be sloppy Do not use figures that are not relevant or
have not been referenced in the text!