Grant writing- Understanding the process


Although, the types and sizes of grants vary across all fields, regions and disciplines, at their core, the grant writing process remains the same for each. 

Writing a successful grant application is a long and arduous process consuming time and resources. The entire process begins with an idea for a project or plan.

Grant writers must ensure they have a viable plan or project, write the grant proposal, submit it and receive all relevant notices including acceptance or rejection. Experienced grant writers will then revise their proposals to hone the process for next time. Unsuccessful grant proposals must revise so they can be resubmitted during future funding cycles. Successful grant proposals, including all resulting research, can help prepare and develop further research and future grant proposals.

A successful grant writer will endeavour to cultivate ongoing and positive relationship with all funding bodies as it may lead to further grants in the future. One way to maintain a great relationship with a funding body is to ensure that all progress reports as well as final reports are filed in a professional and timely manner. Country to popular belief, funding bodies will not reject future grant proposals if they believe an organisation has received enough funding. The truth is that if individuals or projects have been awarded grants in the past and have proven themselves to be professional are more competitive, they will be more likely to receive future funding.

Here are some general tips for successful grant writing:

- Begin early- a lot of time is needed to research the project or plan, starting too late can be detrimental.
- Don’t forget to include a cover letter with your application- a cover letter is a one-page snapshot of the organisation, the project or plan and relevant information.
- Answer every questions and address every requirement. It is also advisable to pre-empt any and all unstated questions.
- If the grant proposal rejected, it is an opportunity to revise the proposal and apply in future funding cycles.
- Give the funding body what they want. Carefully follow the application guidelines exactly.
- Be very specific. Do not assume that the reader of the grant proposal understands the jargon or technical terms used. Successful grant writers will develop a grant proposal as if the reader does not know anything about the process.
- Be realistic when designing the project. The project that is being developed and will require funding, must be achievable and its successes must be measurable.
- Clearly highlight every connection between the research questions and objectives, the objectives and methods, the methods and results, and the results and the plan.

It can all seem like a daunting and overwhelming process, but help is at hand. Teaming up with a professional grant writer can help elevate a grant proposal to the top of the heap. Red Tape Busters has a team of experienced and enthusiastic grant writers ready to help write a successful grant proposal. With grant writers Sydney, grant writers Brisbane, grant writers Melbourne and grant writers nationwide, Red Tape Busters can help. 

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