Notes
Outline
Writing Winning Grant Proposals for Technology
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Welcome
Instructional Objectives:
 Chronological Outline for Submitting a Grant Proposal
Prepare to Write a Proposal
Identify & Select the Most Promising Funding Sources
Logistics & Pre-Planning
Write the Proposal
Format & Submit the Proposal
The Review Process
Prepare to Write--Needs
In your “Needs” section, answer:
Why does the institution/school/district need the project?
What problem(s) will be solved? How?
What difference will the project make in the long run?
What does the professional literature say about the approach you’re proposing?
How can you document the
need for the project?
Prepare to Write--Needs
Identified needs provide the rationale for your proposed project.
Identified needs drive your proposal’s goals, objectives, activities, evaluation, personnel, resources, and budget.
What is a Need?
A NEED is the gap or discrepancy between a present state (what is) and a desired end state (what should be).
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.”
Prepare to Write--Needs
Needs Assessment--define technology needs and/or problems (e.g., staff skills)
Solicit information from students, parents, teachers, businesses, community
Consider use of existing tools:
http://www.taglit.org/taglit/login.aspx
http://www.ceoforum.org/starchart.html
http://profiler.hprtec.org
http://www.ncrel.org/toolbelt/
Prepare to Write--Files
Create a resume file for staff likely to serve as key project personnel
Create a financial file to aid in budget development: salaries, benefits overhead rates, per diem rates, etc.
Prepare to Write--Files
Create a reference file: keep up on current information about technology integration found in journals and publications – ex. ISTE Learning & Leading With Technology
Create a data file: school
demographic information,
school survey results
Identify and Select Funding Sources
Read applications; notice funding priorities and look for a match with your priorities.
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.
Ask colleagues for “intelligence”– who else is applying, does anyone have an “inside track.”
Sources of Funding
See complete list in session packet
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
Federal Register (GPO Access)
U.S. Government
(ED, DOC, DOE, NSF, NASA)
Businesses
Foundations
Logistics & Pre-Planning
Communicate within your school or organization that you intend to write; seek support.
Consider asking other teachers to collaborate on the proposal with you – make it a team effort!
Make a checklist of everything required for the proposal
Logistics & Pre-Planning
Carefully consider needs data and develop potential goals and objectives to address needs (2 or 3 goals are sufficient).
Are the goals in line with the funding agency’s stated priorities?
Are the goals outcome oriented (rather than process oriented)?
Are the goals realistic and attainable?
Logistics & Pre-Planning
What objectives will you accomplish in order to meet the goals?
Are the objectives measurable?
Can objectives be met within the life of the project?
Logistics & Pre-Planning
With goals and objectives in mind, develop a logic map to help you plan related strategies and necessary inputs.
A logic map shows relationships among the important elements of the project.
If a project is not reaching its desired outcomes, a logic map will help you see where the breakdown might have occurred.
Logic Map
Slide 18
Write the Proposal
As soon as possible, ask partners, consultants, and others involved to write letters of support.
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.
Write--Introduction
Start your proposal with an introduction or executive summary in which you briefly state the educational problem.
State the project’s goals. Explain how the school, teaching, and learning will be different as a result of the project.
Write--Introduction
Explain how the project will address the problem.
Convince the reader that the program will have a sustained impact.
Write--Actions, Activities, & Strategies
As you draft the major activities, ask:
Are they interesting and compelling?
What difference will the project make for teachers, students, and/or community?
What difference will the project make for the school, institution or education system?
How will the project activities be sustained after grant funds end?
Write--Management Plan
What activities and procedures will you carry out in order to accomplish each objective?
What are the timeframes for completing each major activity?
Who will carry out each major activity?
Write--Evaluation Plan
What does the school or district expect to get our of the project evaluation? How will you use the results?
How will you determine whether each objective has been met? Whether desired outcomes have been realized?
Write--Evaluation Plan
What evaluation strategies or methods will be used?
What kinds of information or data will be collected?
Write--Key Personnel
What are the qualifications of key staff in terms of this project?
What is each person’s role in the project?
About what percentage of each person’s time will be spent on the project?
Write--Resources
What resources will be available for the project to use (things the school system or partners will provide)?
Facilities?
Technologies?
Equipment?
Human resources?
Write--Budget
Are each of the budget items explained in the body of the proposal?
Can you show that costs are reasonable, that the budget isn’t padded?
Are there any in-kind contributions or matching funds?
Write—Appendices*
Letters of commitment or agreement to participate in the project
Letters of support
Supporting material
Prepare a current resume for every key staff person

* note, not all funding
   agencies allow appendices,
   check the application
Format and Submit
Give your first solid draft to a colleague
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
Format and Submit
Double-check deadlines; When is the proposal “due”? Postmarked or Received?
Make sure necessary forms have been signed by organizational representatives (note: give warning weeks in advance)
Return to your “checklist” to ensure all required proposal elements are there
What do reviewers look for in proposals?
The proposal addresses grantor’s priorities by adhering to the RFP.
The need for the project is well documented
Intended outcomes are clearly stated; project activities are likely to lead to the realization of desired outcomes
What do reviewers look for
in proposals?
The project is compelling and is likely to have a positive, lasting impact
Elements of the proposal are integrated
The document is visually appealing
The project will contribute to the field
Questions?
Reflection
Evaluation Form(s)
Closing
Thank you for your attention, energy, input and participation!!!
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