Defining Problems for Grant Proposals
- 1. DEFINING PROBLEMS FOR GRANT PROPOSALS
- 2. 1. Understand the mission, purposes, and history of the organization from which you’re seeking funds. How will your proposed project help further this mission?
- 3. 2. Understand what type of problem you have. Problem: X is the desirable state, but the state is currently Y.
- 4. TYPES OF PROBLEMS • Is it a problem of missing knowledge? What are the negative effects of this missing knowledge? (For whom is it a problem, and why?) What will be the benefits of your research, which proposes to supply this missing knowledge? • Is it a problem of a lack of resources? What resources are lacking? What are the negative effects of these missing resources? What benefits will accrue from gaining the resources?
- 5. 3. Adequately document (aka provide evidence for, aka DO RESEARCH ON) those problems.
- 6. TYPES OF EVIDENCE • Economic and demographic statistics about the community that has the problem. • Relevant and up-to-date research, trends, and literature. • Anecdotal information (don’t rely too heavily on this). • Waiting lists for programs/other evidence of demand. • Focus group results. • Assessment of needs and evaluations of past programs. • Newspaper reports. • Police precinct data, health department data, university data, etc.
- 7. 4. Propose a project that will address those problems/needs.
- 8. 5. Explain how solving the problem you identify will help further the granting organization’s goals.
- 9. Now you do it: 1. Understand the mission, purposes, and history of the organization from which you’re seeking funds. How will your proposed project help further this mission? 2. Understand what type of problem you have. 3. Adequately document (aka provide evidence for, aka DO RESEARCH ON) those problems. 4. Propose a project that will address those problems/needs. 5. Explain how solving the problem you identify will help further the granting organization’s goals.