Grant Getting, My 2¢ (page 1)

I have great luck writing grants and my "secrets" are simple. I think every step of the way of "grant getting" not "grant writing". This makes a huge difference (subjectively speaking). Every conversation and every sentence is based on getting the grant and implementing the workplan. In my opinion grant writers often focus on the writing, on sounding good, on intellectual merit; I have seen this in both the US and EU.

My approach

The way I approach an RFP (Request for Proposal) sometimes called the RFA, I read it once, I take their form package and no matter how many pages it is I key every question and section onto my document; whether it appears to have anything to do with the project in mind or not. Then I envision the project and start keying in keywords and ideas into the format in my document. In my mind I'm implementing the project; as though I'm assigning tasks to people. I describe things, define things, write down who will do it, these descriptions are clear, not academic. I skip sections I don't know yet. It's not a linear approach; it's an approach of peeling away the layers and filling in the pieces. The goal is for the reader to be able to see and be "in" the project with you when I'm writing it. The writing style is intimate; up close and personal. I think of the person reading the grant. I write it directly to that person. The way the RFP is written, you'd think this is a third person, distanced narrative. It isn't. Imagine two people, one academic and one practical. Both want to know you know your stuff but more importantly, they want to see what you are going to do. Your tone is conversational, matter of fact, clear, and detailed so that in their mind they see the project unfold. Anyone reading it should be able to run the project. Way too many grants are bound to the ego of the writer.

The reader

I assume the six people reading the grant are reading their 12th grant of the day and are forcing themselves to stay focused, bolstered with caffeine. I make everything clear, use white space to give their eyes a break, sound as though we are in a cafe' having a cup of coffee and I'm telling them about this great project. I bring them in, imagine them, and communicate exactly as I would if they were sitting with me and we are tired, on the one hand, and love our work on the other.

The product

What is the product? Too many people ask for money to do what they're already doing or they ask for the same old boring things to do. Forget conferences where participants can visit with each other, drink wine, and share their ideas. People need to be brought in, products need to be created, ideas need to be disseminated, and evaluation must be interesting.

The partners

The collaborative pendulum swings. For some projects it's okay to work solo with your organization. On others, they want a few partners, on some there is a collaborative network. In my opinion, the more collaboration is required, the more I'm not interested because the product is nearly impossible to complete in collaboration. I have successfully written for EU Leonardo, EU Minerva, PHARE, and the California Community College System. The collaborative element was either great or non-existent. Like love, sometimes the best and sometimes the worst. At the time I wrote for Slovenia, when they were short-listed, we needed EU partners in the collaboration. We did all of the work in some cases and much of the work in others. The partners collected their share, regardless. There was no sense of urgency on their part. Many organizations, regardless of country of origin, have acclimated to grants as income and they're in no hurry. The people are great, smart, interesting, and there isn't a better group to drink with in Vienna, Edinburgh, Munich, San Francisco, etc. But if you're responsible for the project it's stressful to get any traction. The risk we constantly faced was partners wanted in because they wanted to come and visit. We'd bring in a small group for a week and a negligible amount of work got done. In addition, we'd end up touring participant relatives around. The occasional great partner proved to be a wonderful experience. My caution to you is the importance of making sure this is someone you will want to work closely with and who will deliver.

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Written by Kelly Carey. © great25.com.