How can you write a grant proposal review that meets professional standards?

1 Understand the purpose and scope of the review

Before you start writing your review, you need to understand the purpose and scope of the review. What is the goal of the funding agency or organization that requested the review? What are the criteria and standards that they use to evaluate the proposals? How much detail and feedback are they expecting from you? You should read the guidelines and instructions carefully, and follow them accordingly. You should also familiarize yourself with the format and structure of the review, and the deadline for submission.

2 Read the proposal thoroughly and critically

The next step is to read the proposal thoroughly and critically. You should read the proposal at least twice, once to get an overview of the main idea, objectives, methods, and expected outcomes, and once to examine the details, logic, evidence, and feasibility of the proposal. You should take notes and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal, as well as any questions, concerns, or suggestions that you have. You should also compare the proposal with the criteria and standards of the review, and assess how well it meets them.

3 Write a clear and concise summary of the proposal

The first part of your review should be a clear and concise summary of the proposal. You should briefly describe the main idea, objectives, methods, and expected outcomes of the proposal, in your own words. You should also state your overall impression and recommendation of the proposal, whether you support it, reject it, or suggest revisions. You should avoid using jargon, acronyms, or technical terms that are not explained in the proposal. You should also avoid repeating or copying the proposal verbatim.

4 Write a detailed and constructive evaluation of the proposal

The second part of your review should be a detailed and constructive evaluation of the proposal. You should explain the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal, based on the criteria and standards of the review. You should provide specific examples and evidence to support your arguments. You should also provide constructive feedback and suggestions on how to improve the proposal, if applicable. You should avoid personal or subjective comments, or criticism that is not relevant or helpful. You should also acknowledge the limitations of your own knowledge and expertise, and respect the originality and creativity of the applicants.

5 Write a clear and concise conclusion of the review

The last part of your review should be a clear and concise conclusion of the review. You should restate your overall impression and recommendation of the proposal, and summarize the main points of your evaluation. You should also thank the funding agency or organization for the opportunity to review the proposal, and the applicants for their work and contribution. You should end your review with a polite and professional tone, and sign your name and affiliation.

6 Proofread and edit your review

The final step is to proofread and edit your review. You should check your review for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors. You should also check your review for clarity, coherence, consistency, and accuracy. You should make sure that your review is easy to read and understand, and that it follows the guidelines and instructions of the funding agency or organization. You should also make sure that your review is respectful, fair, and constructive, and that it reflects your honest and informed opinion.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?