Technology & Learning - January 2008 - (Page 34)

» Bottom Line By Dr. Douglas Brooks Grant Writing for Beginners: Part 1 Four tips on how to write an effective grant application. V ery few teachers or administrators have had any formal training in grant writing. To that end, the GrantSuccess system, an efficient, four-stage, team-based approach to writing a successful grant application, was developed. Here, we start with tips from the first stage. Review the Request for Funding Proposal Before writing a grant application, one person should review the RFP. This person should then create three Word documents labeled Action Summary, Grant Writing Guide, and Key Vocabulary. Put the RFP and these three documents in a folder on your computer desktop, for easy access. As you read the RFP, list any actions that are required for a successful submission. Every RFP has a Grant Narrative section that includes headings such as Abstract, Needs, Objectives, Budget, and Summary. List these headings on the Grant Writing Guide you created and include any information that says what is expected for each section. For example, the rubric for evaluating each narrative section is often included somewhere in the RFP. Putting this rubric and language close to where you are writing will improve your text development. As you read the RFP, you will notice terminology and phrases that are central to the RFP language and presentation. When you find these terms, such as “program-based inteDon’t miss our new “Grant Guru” column at www.techlearning.com/blog/grantguru. gration” or “curriculum-focused implementation,” put them on the Key Vocabulary document. Print out this document and place it where you can see it as you are working on the Grant Writing Guide. By creating these three documents, you shouldn’t have to refer to the RFP again. grant applications are filled with phrases like “our school,” “my classroom,” “we will,” and “our grant.” Grant writing is not creative writing. It is technical writing. Avoid the use of personal pronouns. Start your technical writing habits by naming your project and then use that name to start sentences. Stay tuned for more writing and editing tips next month. Dr. Douglas Brooks is a professor in the School of Education, Health and Society at Miami University, and he developed GrantSuccess. Review Funding Sources Most novice grant writers are unfamiliar with the Foundation Center (http://foundationcenter.org). This site references thousands of foundations and has its own search engine and vocabulary. It is easy to use and provides links to many potential funding sources. Take a look at it. Name the Grant Application I encourage faculty to name their applications. If the RFP funds technology, you might call the grant application “Project TECH.” Then use the name Project TECH to start sentences in the application: “The Project TECH Leadership Team will have four members.” By the time the grant reader is done reviewing the application, Project TECH has appeared so many times that the reviewer may believe it already exists! Don’t Use Personal Pronouns Novice grant writers tell stories and use personal pronouns to do it. Their Grants and Contests The 2008 Intel Schools of Distinction Awards (www.intel.com/education/ schoolsofdistinction/) will be awarded to schools that demonstrated excellence in math and science. Winners receive $10,000 plus more than $100,000 in products and services from program sponsors. Deadline: February 14, 2008 AVerMedia Technologies will choose one 2008 graduating high school senior entering a four-year college to receive a $5,000 AVerMedia Scholarship Award (www.avermediausa.com/ppd/media/scholarship.html). Winner will be based on academic achievement and contribution to social and environmental issues. Deadline: March 28, 2008 Visit www.techlearning.com to search the extensive database of grants and contests. 34 | www.techlearning.com http://foundationcenter.org http://www.intel.com/education/schoolsofdistinction/ http://www.intel.com/education/schoolsofdistinction/ http://www.avermedia-usa.com/ppd/media/scholarship.html http://www.avermedia-usa.com/ppd/media/scholarship.html http://www.techlearning.com http://www.techlearning.com/blog/grantguru http://www.techlearning.com

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Technology & Learning - January 2008 Contents Editor's Desk News & Trends Product Guide Reviews Cover Story: Ten Top Tech Trends ERP Makes a Comeback Tossing Out Textbooks LOY Profile Series Higher Ed How To Bottom Line What's New Emerging Tech

Technology & Learning - January 2008

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