Innovation is a buzzword that many grant funders look for in proposals. But how can you demonstrate that your project is truly innovative and not just a rehash of existing ideas or methods? Here are some tips to help you show your grant proposal is innovative and stand out from the crowd.
The first step is to clearly define what you mean by innovation and how it relates to your project goals, objectives, and outcomes. Innovation can have different meanings in different contexts, so you need to explain how your project is novel, creative, original, or transformative in your field or sector. You can use examples, evidence, or references to support your claim and show how your project fills a gap, addresses a challenge, or creates a new opportunity.
The second step is to align your innovation with the funder's priorities and expectations. You need to show how your project matches the funder's mission, vision, values, and goals, and how it contributes to their desired impact or change. You also need to demonstrate that your project is feasible, realistic, and sustainable, and that you have the capacity, resources, and partnerships to implement it successfully. You can use logic models, theories of change, or other frameworks to show how your project links inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts.
The third step is to highlight your innovation throughout your proposal and not just in the summary or introduction. You need to show how your innovation informs your project design, methods, strategies, and evaluation. You also need to show how your innovation addresses the funder's criteria, questions, or guidelines, and how it responds to the needs and interests of your target audience or beneficiaries. You can use headings, subheadings, keywords, or visuals to emphasize your innovation and make it easy to find and follow.
The fourth step is to anticipate and address potential challenges or risks that your innovation might face or pose. You need to show that you have considered the possible pitfalls, barriers, or uncertainties that your project might encounter or create, and that you have planned for mitigation, adaptation, or contingency. You also need to show that you have consulted or involved relevant stakeholders, experts, or peers in your project development and review, and that you have incorporated their feedback, suggestions, or recommendations. You can use risk analysis, SWOT analysis, or other tools to identify and manage risks.
The fifth step is to showcase your innovation in a compelling way that captures the funder's attention and interest. You need to use clear, concise, and persuasive language that conveys your passion, enthusiasm, and confidence in your project. You also need to use appropriate formats, styles, and layouts that suit the funder's preferences, requirements, and expectations. You can use stories, anecdotes, quotes, or testimonials to illustrate your innovation and its benefits. You can also use charts, graphs, tables, or images to visualize your innovation and its results.
The final step is to seek feedback and improve your proposal before submitting it to the funder. You need to review your proposal carefully and check for any errors, inconsistencies, or gaps in your content, logic, or presentation. You also need to seek feedback from others who can offer constructive criticism, suggestions, or insights on your proposal and its innovation. You can use checklists, rubrics, or peer review to assess and improve your proposal quality and clarity.