How can you write grant proposals that are appropriate for your intended audience?

1 Identify your audience

Before you start writing your grant proposal, you need to identify who your audience is and what they are looking for. Your audience may include the funding agency, the reviewers, the stakeholders, and the beneficiaries of your project. Each of these groups may have different criteria, priorities, and preferences that you need to address in your proposal. For example, the funding agency may be interested in the alignment of your project with their mission and goals, the reviewers may be looking for the feasibility and impact of your project, the stakeholders may want to see the relevance and sustainability of your project, and the beneficiaries may care about the outcomes and benefits of your project. Therefore, you need to research your audience and understand their needs and expectations.

2 Use clear and concise language

One of the most important aspects of writing a grant proposal is to use clear and concise language that communicates your message effectively and persuasively. You need to avoid jargon, technical terms, acronyms, and vague statements that may confuse or alienate your audience. Instead, you need to use simple, direct, and specific language that explains your project in a logical and coherent way. You also need to use active voice, short sentences, and transition words that make your proposal easy to read and follow. Moreover, you need to use appropriate tone and style that match the expectations and preferences of your audience. For example, you may need to use a formal and academic tone for a scientific or research-based project, or a more informal and personal tone for a community-based or social project.

3 Highlight your value proposition

Another key aspect of writing a grant proposal is to highlight your value proposition, which is the unique and compelling reason why your project deserves the funding. You need to demonstrate how your project addresses a specific problem or need, how it differs from other existing or similar projects, and how it creates positive and measurable outcomes and impacts. You need to use evidence, data, and examples to support your claims and show your credibility and expertise. You also need to show how your project aligns with the mission and goals of the funding agency, and how it meets their specific requirements and expectations. Furthermore, you need to show how your project involves and benefits the stakeholders and the beneficiaries, and how it contributes to the broader field or sector.

4 Proofread and revise your proposal

The final step of writing a grant proposal is to proofread and revise your proposal before you submit it. You need to check your proposal for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors that may undermine your professionalism and credibility. You also need to check your proposal for clarity, consistency, coherence, and completeness, and make sure that it follows the guidelines and instructions of the funding agency. You may also want to ask for feedback from a colleague, a mentor, or a professional editor who can help you improve your proposal and catch any mistakes or gaps that you may have missed. By proofreading and revising your proposal, you can ensure that it is polished and ready to impress your audience.

5 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?