Thursday 23 June 2016

Simple Steps For Successful Proposal Writing

By Kenneth Fox


Merit is the basis upon which all grants are approved. Mastery of proposal writing ensures that you produce a compelling application. The competitive environment means that only the most captivating will be funded. Proposals are used as advocates for your case in front of a vetting panel that has no idea who you are. Only the most memorable presentation will qualify for a positive funding decision.

Your application is introduced by a summary of the project. It comes in a few paragraphs without exceeding one page. The language used is first person with a description of objectives and significance of your undertaking. This summary gives the vetting panel an overview of what they are about to read or encounter. Without the summary, they can easily get bored waiting for a conclusion while reading an entire document. This reduces your chances of getting the project approved.

A project description follows detailing the background of your program. It forms the justification or drive behind undertaking the project. Indicate the goals that will be achieved and the methodology to be used in achieving these goals. You may also consider including the persons who will be involved directly or indirectly.

Funding organizations are interested in the safety or security of their money. They need a guarantee that their money is secure. This can only be provided through technical ability. Enumerate your technical ability to accomplish the project. This includes a history of completing such projects. Past projects provide referees to confirm your competence. It helps if the project was funded or supervised by the same organization.

Projects are meant to help communities or a particular course. Your proposal must provide clear evidence of the impact your activities will have. A case study showing the situation on the ground would plead the case better. You may also use a story to exemplify the situation before your intervention and after completion.

Projects are always timed. Your application should provide an indication of how activities will take place from commencement to completion of your project. The schedule should capture all activities, the persons involved and the goals that will be achieved in the process. There should be a logical flow of events with provisions for emergencies. The goals achieved at the end of each event should be in line with the ultimate goals of your project.

There is a specific figure quoted in every application. Your budget should break down this figure with particulars on how the money will be spent. The funds should be spent in a logical manner and guided by the schedule on implementation. Indicate the systems and persons who will be responsible for spending. Make provisions for emergency or miscellaneous expenses.

Every project must be monitored during implementation and evaluated after completion. Provide a mechanism that will guarantee implementation in the proposed manner. These are checks and balances on which your work will be centered. Everything in your proposal should create a picture of a goal or a better place after completion of proposed project.




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