What are the best practices for writing a clear and coherent grant application narrative?

2 Plan your structure

A grant application narrative typically consists of several sections that address different aspects of your project, such as the problem statement, the literature review, the methodology, the expected outcomes, the budget, and the dissemination plan. Plan your structure in advance and outline the main points and evidence for each section. Use clear headings and subheadings to organize your narrative and guide the readers. Keep your narrative concise and focused, avoiding unnecessary details or repetition.

4 Provide evidence and support

Your grant application narrative should not only state what you want to do, but also why and how you want to do it. Provide evidence and support for your claims, arguments, and assumptions. Cite relevant and credible sources from the literature to show the gap or need for your project, the theoretical or conceptual framework that guides your project, and the best practices or models that inform your project. Use data, statistics, examples, or testimonials to illustrate your points and demonstrate your feasibility and impact.

5 Highlight your strengths and uniqueness

Your grant application narrative should showcase your strengths and uniqueness as a researcher or practitioner. Highlight your qualifications, skills, and experience that make you suitable for the project. Emphasize your contribution, innovation, and significance to the field or the community. Explain how your project addresses a relevant and important problem or question, how it fills a gap or advances knowledge, and how it creates positive change or benefits.

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?