Grant Writing Help Guide

Title Page 

The title page typically includes: 

• Project title. 

• Principal investigators' names and affiliations. 

• Granting agency's name and address. 

• Project dates. 

• Requested funding amount. 

• Authorizing signatures (if required). 

Follow the specific requirements of the funding agency. 

Abstract 

The abstract offers the first and potentially last impression of your project, summarizing its key elements in the future tense. It should clearly state these items: 

• General purpose. 

• Specific goals. 

• Research design. 

• Methods. 

• Clearly state the objective of the study. 

Introduction 

The introduction should include these items: 

• A statement of the problem with background and rationale. 

• The research purpose, goals or objectives, and the research's significance.  

• Highlight how your project differs from previous research and any new methodologies or theories.  

• Align research goals with the identified needs, listing only the main goals or objectives.  

• Save sub-objectives for the project narrative. 

Literature review 

Proposals often require a literature review to demonstrate preliminary research. Make it selective and critical, focusing on your evaluation of relevant works rather than being exhaustive. 

Project Narrative 

The project narrative is the core of your proposal and may include several subsections. It should include these items: 

• Detailed problem statement, research objectives, hypotheses, methods, procedures, outcomes, deliverables, and plans for evaluation and dissemination.  

• Address all potential reviewer questions thoroughly,  

• Justify your methodologies and explain their relevance.  

• Clearly state the connections between your objectives, questions, hypotheses, methodologies, and outcomes.  

You may need to consult a discipline-specific guide for additional advice, as requirements vary. 

Personnel 

Give detailed staffing requirements that align with the project needs. Clearly describe the skills of current personnel (typically included in their CVs) and the skills required for new recruits.  

Budget  

The budget should detail project costs with a line-item spreadsheet and a 1–2-page budget narrative explaining expenses.  

Budget Considerations 

• Even if it exceeds typical grant sizes, include a comprehensive budget, and indicate additional funding sources.  

• If a line item falls outside an agency’s requirements (For example, some organizations will not cover equipment purchases or other capital expenses), explain in the budget justification that other grant sources will pay for the item. 

• Check with your university for standard indirect costs and get assistance with the draft budget. 

•  Factor in applicable taxes and consult relevant departmental staff or tax professionals as needed. 

Timeframe 

Detail the research project's timeframe, including start and end dates for each step. Use a table for simpler projects or a timeline diagram for multi-year research with many procedures and staff to clarify planning and feasibility.