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SEIR*TEC @ SERVE |
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https://seirtec.org |
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3333 Chapel Hill Blvd., Suite C-102 |
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Durham, NC 27707 |
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919-402-1060 |
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Prepare to Write a Proposal |
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Identify & Select the Most Promising Funding Sources |
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Logistics & Pre-Planning |
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Write the Proposal |
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Format & Submit the Proposal |
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The Review Process |
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In your Needs section, answer: |
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Why does the institution/school/district need the project? |
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What problem(s) will be solved? How? |
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What difference will the project make in the long run? |
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What does the professional literature say about the approach youre proposing? |
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How can you document the |
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need for the project? |
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Identified needs provide the rationale for your proposed project. |
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Identified needs drive your proposals goals, objectives, activities, evaluation, personnel, resources, and budget. |
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A NEED is the gap or discrepancy between a present state (what is) and a desired end state (what should be). |
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Example We have only 1 computer in each classroom now, and need 5 to ensure that every student has the access time required to meet the 5th grade technology standards. |
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Needs Assessment--define technology needs and/or problems (e.g., staff skills) |
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Solicit information from students, parents, teachers, businesses, community |
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Consider use of existing tools: |
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http://www.taglit.org/taglit/login.aspx |
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http://www.ceoforum.org/starchart.html |
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http://profiler.hprtec.org |
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http://www.ncrel.org/toolbelt/ |
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Create a resume file for staff likely to serve as key project personnel |
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Create a financial file to aid in budget development: salaries, benefits overhead rates, per diem rates, etc. |
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Create a reference file: keep up on current information about technology integration found in journals and publications ex. ISTE Learning & Leading With Technology |
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Create a data file: school |
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demographic information, |
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school survey results |
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Read applications; notice funding priorities and look for a match with your priorities. |
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Talk to the grant contact person: how many grants will be funded, how many proposals are expected, are they looking for anything in particular, are abstracts from former projects available for review. |
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Ask colleagues for intelligence who else is applying, does anyone have an inside track. |
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See complete list in session packet |
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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) |
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Federal Register (GPO Access) |
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U.S. Government |
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(ED, DOC, DOE, NSF, NASA) |
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Businesses |
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Foundations |
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Communicate within your school or organization that you intend to write; seek support. |
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Consider asking other teachers to collaborate on the proposal with you make it a team effort! |
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Make a checklist of everything required for the proposal |
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Carefully consider needs data and develop potential goals and objectives to address needs (2 or 3 goals are sufficient). |
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Are the goals in line with the funding agencys stated priorities? |
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Are the goals outcome oriented (rather than process oriented)? |
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Are the goals realistic and attainable? |
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What objectives will you accomplish in order to meet the goals? |
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Are the objectives measurable? |
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Can objectives be met within the life of the project? |
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With goals and objectives in mind, develop a logic map to help you plan related strategies and necessary inputs. |
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A logic map shows relationships among the important elements of the project. |
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If a project is not reaching its desired outcomes, a logic map will help you see where the breakdown might have occurred. |
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As soon as possible, ask partners, consultants, and others involved to write letters of support. |
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Start working on the budget earlier rather than later to ensure your plans fit within the funding limit. Avoid revision of activities later in the process. |
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Start your proposal with an introduction or executive summary in which you briefly state the educational problem. |
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State the projects goals. Explain how the school, teaching, and learning will be different as a result of the project. |
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Explain how the project will address the problem. |
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Convince the reader that the program will have a sustained impact. |
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As you draft the major activities, ask: |
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Are they interesting and compelling? |
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What difference will the project make for teachers, students, and/or community? |
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What difference will the project make for the school, institution or education system? |
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How will the project activities be sustained after grant funds end? |
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What activities and procedures will you carry out in order to accomplish each objective? |
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What are the timeframes for completing each major activity? |
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Who will carry out each major activity? |
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What does the school or district expect to get our of the project evaluation? How will you use the results? |
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How will you determine whether each objective has been met? Whether desired outcomes have been realized? |
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What evaluation strategies or methods will be used? |
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What kinds of information or data will be collected? |
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What are the qualifications of key staff in terms of this project? |
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What is each persons role in the project? |
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About what percentage of each persons time will be spent on the project? |
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What resources will be available for the project to use (things the school system or partners will provide)? |
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Facilities? |
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Technologies? |
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Equipment? |
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Human resources? |
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Are each of the budget items explained in the body of the proposal? |
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Can you show that costs are reasonable, that the budget isnt padded? |
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Are there any in-kind contributions or matching funds? |
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Letters of commitment or agreement to participate in the project |
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Letters of support |
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Supporting material |
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Prepare a current resume for every key staff person |
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* note, not all funding
agencies allow appendices,
check the application |
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Give your first solid draft to a colleague |
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Proofread to see if:
--basic elements are there
--concepts are sound
--writing and charts are clear
--sections fit together into one cohesive
design
--no inconsistencies, especially in
discussion of goals |
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Double-check deadlines; When is the proposal due? Postmarked or Received? |
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Make sure necessary forms have been signed by organizational representatives (note: give warning weeks in advance) |
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Return to your checklist to ensure all required proposal elements are there |
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The proposal addresses grantors priorities by adhering to the RFP. |
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The need for the project is well documented |
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Intended outcomes are clearly stated; project activities are likely to lead to the realization of desired outcomes |
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The project is compelling and is likely to have a positive, lasting impact |
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Elements of the proposal are integrated |
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The document is visually appealing |
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The project will contribute to the field |
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Evaluation Form(s) |
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Closing |
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Thank you for your attention, energy, input and participation!!! |
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