Grant Writing Planning

Prior to starting to write the grant application, it is important to first understand the WRDC request for application (RFA) thoroughly and drop down the contents of the application package and deadlines. Using WRDC review criteria under each program to create the flow and structure of the proposal is promising. Second, identifying the project team and available resources is important. Having a strong, qualified, and efficient team is important to timely achieving project outcomes. Once you identify your team, third is to engage your team to achieve grant application purposes. Identifying roles of each member is a key to sharing responsibilities without conflicts. Further, discussing working strategies of team members is important in working together to achieve a common goal, especially within deadlines.

Grant Writing Strategies

1. Developing a work plan

A plan of work will provide a structure to your application. Following a SMART rule, identifying the key objectives of the proposed project is the first step of the work plan. Under each objective, list all the priority activities that your team will perform to achieve objectives. Then List down expected outcomes under each activity.

2. Logic model

Logic model is the graphical interpretation of your work plan. It provides logical, clear, and concise interpretation of your application. While logic model is not required by most of the programs, having a logic model helps the reviewers to better understand the plan of work. Including a logic model in your proposal helps you in getting more grading as well by the reviewers.

NIFA generic logic model will provide you with guidance as a planning tool.

3. Application structuring strategies

WRDC follows a simple but similar structure to USDA-NIFA grant applications. The applications in general should include the components below. Visit the website for each program to check their unique requirements.

1. Project Summary
   This includes the project title and summary. A clear and concise summary is crucial in the review process. It should outline the problem and propose an innovative solution.
   • Identified problem or research question(s)  
   • Describe the research components and explain how your project will creatively address the identified problem or research questions. 
   • Identify the potential significance of the project and expected outcomes 
   • Explain how your project will disseminate results. 
   • Identify potential funding sources to expand the project (be precise). 
2. Project Narrative
   The project narrative must include, but is not limited to, the following sections:
   • Introduction: Include a clear statement of the proposed project’s long-term goal(s) and supporting objectives. Summarize the body of knowledge or past activities, if any, that substantiate the need for the proposed project. Include preliminary data/information pertinent to the proposed project. Explain why it is important to the Western Region. 
   • Approach: For each research and extension objective, describe what will be done, including methods and materials. Describe the activities and expected results. How extension and education activities, if applicable, will be evaluated. How data will be analyzed or interpreted. Your plans to communicate results to appropriate audiences, including relevant scientific peers, stakeholders, and the public, as appropriate. 
   • Benefits: Briefly explain the project’s benefits for you and the Western region. 
3. Bibliography & References Cited 
   All work cited in the text should be referenced in this application section. All references must be complete, including titles and all co-authors, conform to an acceptable journal format, and be listed in alphabetical order using the first author’s last name or listed by number in the order of citation.
4. Develop a Data Management Plan
   Check your RFA to determine the requirements for Data Management Plan.
5. Project Team Members and Roles 
   Provide a Biographical Sketch describing your background and expertise to demonstrate that you have the appropriate skills to complete the proposed project. We recommend you follow the NSF-approved format found here: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/biosketch.jsp. 
   
   Describe all team members’ roles at all stages of the project. For each project objective, indicate who will be responsible and which team member(s) will be involved in the research and dissemination activities. 
6. Current and Pending Support
7. Letters of Stakeholder Support 
   Attach letter(s) of support from stakeholder individuals and/or organizations that support the proposed research and education activities. This requirement may vary depending on the program.
8. Budget and Budget Justification 
   The WRDC does not allow indirect costs. Funding depends on the program. The budget justification detail should follow the same order as the budget. While you should provide information for each item of the budget, you must justify the following budget categories, where applicable: salaries, fringe, equipment, supplies, travel, contractual, and other direct cost categories. 
   Program Income: If an applicant wishes to generate program income through activities proposed in their project, this must be included in the proposal. Specifically, an applicant must address the following questions: 
   • How will the program income be generated? 
   • How much program income is anticipated? 
   • How will generating program income benefit the project? 
   • How will the program income be utilized? 
   • When will the program income be generated during the project period, and will there be sufficient time to expend it?

Please include these details in the budget justification section of the proposal so that reviewers and the WRDC staff can objectively evaluate the budget in relation to the proposed activities. 

If a current WRDC subrecipient DID NOT include program income in their grant proposal, the PI, Authorized Official, or fiscal officer must request prior approval from WRDC to generate program income at least 30 days before program income is generated. Full details about program income can be found in the USDA-NIFA Policy Guide. See section V. Post award Federal Requirements, E. Program Income. 

9. Timeline
   Provide a timeline, such as a Gantt chart or other detailed breakdown for accomplishing each project objective. Identify the major milestones and activities that will be completed, and when each of those milestones or activities will occur and how they relate back to the objective(s). 
   

4. Proofread your application and use your check list

Proofreading is important to validate all the requirements in the call for proposals. Also, that will help improve clarity, flow, grammar, and style of your application. As a practice, use your checklist before signing off the application. Below is a list of commonly needed documents for WRDC applications. This may vary by the program.

• Project Summary
• Project Narrative 
• Bibliography & References Cited 
• Data Management Plan
• Project Team Members and Roles  
• Biographical Sketches of all team members 
• Current and Pending Support
• Letters of Stakeholder Support 
• Budget and Budget Justification 
• Timeline 
• Logic Model