Grant Writer's Toolbox
Proposal Development Resources
Numerous resources are available to assist you in the development of your proposal. Contact Pollyanne Frantz to check out any of these publications.
| Barbato, Joseph & Furlich, Danielle S. | Writing for a Good Cause: The Complete Guide to Crafting Proposals and Other Persuasive Pieces for Nonprofits (2000) |
| Although this book is written from the standpoint of a fund raiser/development officer, it contains great suggestions on approaching the writing process and a detailed description of the different types of outputs (case statements, proposals, newsletters, and letters). Of special interest is the "down-and-dirty proposal kit." The book is eminently readable. Includes index. Highly recommended. | |
| Belcher, Jane C. & Jacobsen, Julia M. | From Ideas to Funded Project: Grant Proposals That Work (1992, 4th edition) |
| Belcher provides a good description of the proposal life cycle (development / submission / award / negotiation / administration) as well as an evaluation component, including an example evaluation plan. Drawback: publication is both pre-Internet and Grants.gov. Includes index. | |
| Blackburn, Thomas R. | Getting Science Grants: Effective Strategies for Funding Success (2003) |
| Blackburn's book, written for the scientist, contains a fabulous step-by-step approach to the proposal development process. The chapter describing what happens during the review process contains important information about common flaws that doom proposals. Blackburn also provides a companion web site containing sample funded proposals. It is an excellent investment of time to read this book. Includes index. Highly recommended. | |
| Blum, Laurie | The Complete Guide to Getting a Grant: How to Turn Your Ideas into Dollars (1996, revised) |
| This book is oriented toward an individual seeking foundation funding. Noteworthy chapters include developing and refining an idea; step-by-step instructions for constructing a search strategy; and, individual proposal components. Blum includes a good discussion about the different types of foundations. Drawbacks: publication is pre-Internet and bibliography is dated. Includes index. | |
| Browning, Beverly A. | Grant Writing for Dummies (2005, 2nd edition) |
| This book is appropriate for aspiring grant writers like browsing instead of reading a step-by-step approach to grant writing. The chapters on preparing the grant application combine both private and federal funding sources, which may be confusing to some readers. Advice given, like involving congressional representatives in the proposal submission process, needs to be considered carefully before following through on it. The book is written for those not affiliated with an institution of higher education. Includes index. | |
| Browning, Beverly A. | Grant Writing for Educators: Practical Strategies for Teachers, Administrators, and Staff (2004) |
| This book is written for K-12 educators but also is useful for university faculty who work with K-12 teachers and students. Action steps at each chapter's conclusion are helpful for planning. Browning includes separate chapters on funding available through state boards of education and the U.S. Department of Education. Some advice given, like involving congressional representatives in the proposal submission process, needs to be considered carefully before following through on it. No index. | |
| Chapin, Paul G. | Research Projects and Research Proposals: A Guide for Scientists Seeking Funding (2004) |
| Chapin, a former longtime National Science Foundation program officer, provides a complete life cycle view of proposal development and project funding. He offers sound advice and instruction on planning work to be completed prior to the proposal writing stage. The book has solid chapters on research ethics and descriptions of the major federal funding agencies in the sciences. Includes index. Highly recommended. | |
| Coley, Soraya M. & Scheinberg, Cynthia M. | Proposal Writing (2000, 2nd edition) |
| This book is written for human services and nonprofit professionals who also are beginning grant writers. It is concisely written and offers good advice on developing collaborative proposals. No index. | |
| Council on Undergraduate Research | How to Get Started in Research (1999) |
| As the introduction states, this book is a guide for planning, developing and launching a science-oriented research program involving undergraduates. It includes a great discussion on selecting and cultivating undergraduate researchers. No index. Highly recommended for both new and established faculty, including department chairs and deans. | |
| Foundation Center | Guide to Winning Proposals (2003) |
| This book contains 20 proposals submitted to and funded by various foundations as well as four letters of inquiry. Some proposals include funders' comments. Requested funding categories include special project: single year / special project: multiyear / endowment / building and renovation / general and operating support / planning grants / letter of inquiry / cover letter / budget. Includes glossary. Highly recommended. | |
| Foundation Center | Guide to Winning Proposals II (2005) |
| This book contains 31 proposals submitted to and funded by various foundations. Some proposals include funders' comments. Requested funding categories include special project: single year / special project: multiyear / general operating support / capacity building / building and renovation / evaluation / equipment / seed money / other / letter of inquiry / cover letter / budget. Includes glossary and index. Highly recommended. | |
| Geever, Jane | Guide to Proposal Writing (2007, 5th edition) |
| Geever includes good examples of common proposal components and award documents. The appendix contains a complete proposal. Noteworthy content: a checklist on evaluating your prospect (potential funders) list; a site visit checklist written from the funder's perspective; and, a question and answer section with funders (especially dos and don'ts). Liberal use of white space makes the information presented less overwhelming. No index. | |
| Gerin, William | Writing the NIH Grant Proposal: A Step-by-Step Guide (2006) |
| Gerin provides a meticulous step-by-step approach to seeking and securing National Institutes of Health funding. Excellent advice is presented in the chapters on "Mentoring and Collaborative Relationships and "Preparation and Preliminary Steps." Information on writing the proposal application is broken down into the component parts of scientific content, human and animal subjects, and PHS 398 and SF 424 form packets. Concepts are illustrated through annotated sample proposals. The book includes a great table on the writing timeline (p. 110), a good glossary, and a thorough R01 checklist. Includes index. Highly recommended. | |
| Gitlin, Laura N. & Lyons, Kevin J. | Successful Grant Writing: Strategies for Health and Human Service Professionals (2003, 2nd edition) |
| Gitlin's book is geared toward health and human services professionals in both academic and professional settings. It contains a good chart and accompanying advice on research career trajectory, beginning with the novice researcher and ending with the expert researcher. Noteworthy chapters include developing ideas for funding, understanding the process of collaboration, and learning about one's institution. Each chapter contains a summary section of content covered. An appendix contains guidelines for evaluating collaborative teams. Includes index. | |
| Grantsmanship Center, The | How to Use the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance |
| Although dated in terms of publication (pre-Internet), this brief guide still is helpful for understanding how the CFDA works. The CFDA, the basic reference source of federal programs, provides a wealth of information about federal funding distributed through 15 types of assistance. The guide includes sample entries and accompanying explanations. Grants.gov is searchable by CFDA numbers. The CFDA is available online at http://www.cfda.gov. No index. | |
| Grantsmanship Center, The | Program Planning & Proposal Writing-Expanded Version |
| As the introductory paragraphs indicate, this booklet presents an orderly way of organizing thinking about proposed programs, projects and research. Each proposal component is defined, described and illustrated in this brief booklet. Checklists appear at the end of each chapter. No index. | |
| Grantsmanship Center, The | Proposal Checklist & Evaluation Form |
| This short but complete form can be used either as a companion to the Program Planning and Proposal Writing booklet or as a stand-alone checklist for any grant proposal. No index. | |
| Hale, Phale D. Jr. | Writing Grant Proposals That Win (1999, 2nd edition) |
| Brief, succinct chapters describe the various components of a proposal in this book. Includes two funded federal grants (one through the U.S. Department of Education and one through the Health Resources and Services Administration). Critiques accompany the proposals. No index. | |
| Hall, Mary & Howlett, Susan | Getting Funded: The Complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals (2003, 4th edition) |
| The authors approach grant writing as a process; as such, the book is divided into two sections: essential planning steps and writing and submitting the proposal. Also included are sample syllabi for a nine-session course and a workshop. Content of note includes a solid chapter on evaluation, multiple checklists and questions to guide the writer, and a comprehensive proposal development checklist comprised of key points from each chapter. Especially helpful is the section titled "The Seven Deadly Sins of Proposal Writing." Includes index. Highly recommended. | |
| Henson, Kenneth T. | Grant Writing in Higher Education: A Step-by-Step Guide (2003) |
| Written by an academic for academics, the first chapter engages in grant writing myth busting, including the oft-repeated "I don't have time to write grants" statement. Henson includes a good chapter on developing an appropriate writing style. Flow charts at the beginning of each chapter and summaries and idea recaps at the end of each chapter help reinforce key points. Includes index. | |
| Karsh, Ellen & Fox, Arlen Sue | The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need: Top Grant Writers and Grant Givers Share Their Secrets (2006, 2nd edition) |
| This ambitious title is not far off the mark. The book is divided into three parts: preparation, proposal writing and follow up. The authors emphasize the importance of prior tasks to be completed before beginning the proposal writing process, like thinking through project ideas, researching potential funders, and gathering supplementary information. Noteworthy content includes sections about creating competitive proposals from the funder's perspective and 50 tips for improving your chances of winning a grant. Includes extensive glossary and index. Highly recommended. | |
| Liberatori, Ellen | Guide to Getting Arts Grants (2006) |
| Written by a writer and poet for artists seeking funding, this book includes a lengthy section on individual preparation for the proposal writing process and good advice on developing an artist's personal statement. Different types of funding available for artists are discussed, including travel grants, fellowships, project grants, and residencies. Includes glossary and index. | |
| Miner, Jeremy T. & Miner, Lynn E. | Models of Proposal Planning and Writing (2005) |
| Three funded proposals are included in their entirety in this book. The authors provide a detailed analysis of each proposal as well as of the accompanying guidelines. Two proposals were funded by private foundations (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Emory T. Clark Family Charitable Foundation) and one was funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Includes index. Highly recommended. | |
| Miner, Lynn E. & Miner, Jeremy T. | Proposal Planning and Writing (2003, 3rd edition) |
| This comprehensive guide is well organized through broad sections that encompass finding sponsors and planning proposals; writing private foundation and corporate proposals; writing government proposals; and, the final steps in proposal development, like writing and editing. Liberal use of headings and bullet points make for easy reading and navigation. Especially useful features are the sections at the end of each chapter listing rejection reasons for different components of the proposal and time saving tips. Includes index. Highly recommended. | |
| Ries, Joanne B. & Leukefeld, Carl G. | Applying for Research Funding: Getting Started and Getting Funded (1994) |
| The authors use the U.S. Public Health Service and the National Institutes of Health as models to be used once proposal ideas have been formulated. The focus is on "…structuring an idea to develop a competitive application." The chapters are written to be self contained and independent of each other. The book also covers the human aspects of proposal development like communication, relationships and interactions, and the research environment. Noteworthy content includes a research strengths inventory for the prospective principal investigator and an excellent chapter on factors and considerations associated with getting funded. Includes index. Highly recommended. | |
| Winning Grant Proposals (1993) | |
| Eleven funded proposals comprise this book. Funders include individuals, corporations, foundations, and federal agencies. Funding amounts range from $5,000 to $1 million. The actual proposals are preceded by information that places them in context, like institutional and author profiles and historical background. The book is useful for those wanting to read actual funded proposals with no accompanying annotations. | |
Updated July 2007