Middlebury

 

Grantsmanship 101

Read the guidelines carefully.

Consider how your project fits the goals of the program. Note any special instructions about format, mailing, etc.

Follow all directions.

Grant proposals have been returned without review because applicants did not do what the guidelines specified. So, include the right forms, provide requested information, answer all the questions, and adhere to guideline requirements for length and format.

Address all
review criteria.

Successful proposals fit the mission of the sponsor's program—which are defined by the review criteria. If the criteria aren't spelled out, you can usually discern what is important from other language in the guidelines or program description.

Send out only
perfect copy.

First impressions are important—allow no typos, no errors, no sloppy formatting. Paper application forms should be typed.

Grant-Seeking Resources

More information related to grant seeking is available at the sites listed below.

Middlebury Resources

Academic Administration

Forms for internal funding (including FPDF and FRAF), leave program policies and guidelines, and information related to programs administered by the Dean of Faculty

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

For research that involves human subjects

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

For research that involves animals

Undergraduate Research Office (URO)

For students participating in research

Center For Teaching and Learning Resources

Many support services for students and faculty

NSF Resources

Download tips from Bert E. Holmes, Ph.D., Program Director at NSF's Division of Undergraduate Education. (Presented at the VGN January 24, 2009, professional development seminar at Middlebury.)

Support for Faculty at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions
Programs that fund faculty research and tips for applying to them. (PowerPoint slides)

Support for Faculty at PUIsSupport for Faculty at PUIs

 

The Research-Friendly Curriculum
Tips and best practices for starting and nurturing a research program at your institution. (PowerPoint slides)

Research Friendly CurriculumResearch Friendly Curriculum

 

Writing Effective Proposals for DUE in NSF
Dr. Holmes' top 15 tips for writing winning proposals. (PowerPoint slides)

Writing for DUEWriting for DUE

Other Sources of Advice and Information

DMPTool at the University of Virginia guides you though the process of creating a Data Management Plan. This online tool helps you address the needs of specific funding agencies and enables you to download the finished plan to include in your proposal.

Grant writing links from the University of Vermont

Writing Proposals for ACLS Fellowship Competitions—(PDF)—Advice that pertains to most humanities fellowship proposals

The Art of Writing Proposals—Download the Social Science Research Center's classic brochure on grantwriting (free)

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