Proposal Writer's Toolkit

All of the information below can be used as a resource to assist in the planning or proposal development process. Additional information may be obtained from the UW-Whitewater Extramural Funding Fact Sheet. For additional assistance, please contact Denise Ehlen, Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ehlend@uww.edu, x5212).

Choosing Partners and Sub-grantees

A partner or sub-grantee "uses the federal funds to implement a program"; to select one, the following checklist should be considered:

• A reciprocity and codependence for the success of the project should exist
• Appropriate selection may include their qualifications, talents, established program relationships, requirements of the RFP being submitted, offers of funds through in-kind, cash, or leveraged funds
• All partners or sub-grantees should provide a letter of collaboration clearly stating their roles
• Each should have a distinct role in the program and should be relevant to the project

Proposal Writing Tips

Pre-Proposal Contact: A valuable way to obtain information to help guide the proposal writing process. Work with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to contact:

• The Program Officer to obtain past award recipients and reviewers in addition to details of desired outcomes and requesting the reviewer's evaluation form
• Past Grant Winners to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their proposal as well as any possible suggestions
• Past Reviewers to get insight into what proposal characteristics the sponsor places emphasis upon as well as common mistakes.

Setting Objectives for your Proposal: Effectively wording your proposal's objective greatly increases the chances of success. Proposal objectives are S-I-M-P-L-E: Specific, Immediate, Measurable, Practical, Logical, and Evaluable.

Additional External Web Resources

Miner and Associates' "Web Gems"

Miner and Associates, a "premier provider of grantseeking and fundraising services for nonprofit organizations", has assembled a listing of resources and tips available to proposal developers. Their "Web Gems" offer suggestions and list resources for everything from identifying potential funding sources, developing and editing a proposal, and developing a budget for the proposal.

U.S. EPA: Tips on Writing a Grant Proposal

General tips listed in regards to writing a successful proposal, including the nine steps they consider to be a part of a complete proposal package.