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Write a Strong Application

Writing a grant application is a formidable task that can take 40 hours or more. Before you start, be sure you answer "yes" to the following questions:

Important Parts of the Application

Your application will be rated and scored by a team of independent, objective reviewers with expertise in the relevant disciplines. The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) includes the criteria they will use in their review and  specific information to be included in your application – information the reviewers will be looking for.

Be concise (your application cannot be longer than 80 pages) and precise in describing:

• Goals and objectives, which should be clearly defined and specific;
• Need, which includes both the need for the service or activity that the grant will support and also your organization's track record in fulfilling that need;
• Response and impact, which clearly shows how you plan to achieve the purpose of the grant program and includes supporting data whenever possible;
• Resources and capabilities, which delineates the knowledge, staffing and fiscal stability that you have to carry out your proposal and meet the goals of the grant program;
• Budget, which is a realistic plan that matches your goals and objectives and includes a narrative that justifies the costs.

Before You Submit

Your submission is final. You can't make edits after submission. Be thorough in your review, but do not wait until the last minute to submit. Late submissions are not accepted.

• Check your proposal for spelling, correct calculations and adherence to page limits and font and file-type requirements.
• Use the checklist provided in the FOA or create your own, but make sure all required documents are included and in the order specified in the FOA.
• Review the content and be sure you have addressed all the criteria against which your proposal will be scored.