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\n How to Develop and Write a Grant Proposal Congressional Research Service 5
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\nIf the funding source expresses interest in the concept paper, the grant seeker can ask for suggestions, criticism, and guidance, before writing the final proposal. Feedback and dialog are essential elements to a successful funding proposal. Throughout the proposal writing stage, an applicant may want to keep notes on ideas and related materials for review. The gathering of documents such as articles of incorporation, tax exemption certificates, and bylaws should be completed, if possible, before the writing begins. At the end of this report, useful websites cover proposal writing, give sample grant proposals (including a template for writing a proposal), and link to federal program information and grants management circulars.
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\nWriting an Effective Grant Proposal
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\nOverall Considerations
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\nAn effective grant proposal has to make a compelling case. Not only must the idea be a good one,  but so must the presentation. Things to be considered include the following:
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\nAll of the requirements of the funding source must be met: prescribed format, necessary inclusions, deadlines, etc.
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\nThe proposal should have a clear, descriptive title.
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\nThe proposal should be a cohesive whole, building logically, with one section leading to another; this is an especially important consideration when several  people have been involved in its preparation.
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\nLanguage should be clear and concise, devoid of jargon; explanations should be offered for acronyms and terms which may be unfamiliar to someone outside the field.
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\nEach of the parts of the proposal should provide as brief but informative a narrative as possible, with supporting data relegated to an appendix. At various stages in the proposal writing process, the proposal should be reviewed by a number of interested and disinterested parties. Each time it has been critiqued, it may be necessary to rethink the project and its presentation. While such revision is necessary to clarify the proposal, one of the dangers is that the original excitement of those making the proposal sometimes gets written out. Somehow, this must be conveyed in the final proposal. Applicants are advised: make it interesting!
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\nBasic Components of a Proposal
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\nThe basic sections of a standard grant proposal include the following: 1. Cover letter 2. Proposal summary or abstract
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