Grant writing

Grant writing is the practice of completing an application process for a financial grant, which are often provided by governments, corporations, foundations, and trusts.^[1] The skill of grant writing is known as grantsmanship.^[2]

Grants are often written for charitable causes, research, and artistic projects.^[3]

The grant writing process involves not only creating a coherent proposal but also analysing the needs of the grant maker. Such an analysis is necessary, as the grant maker and recipient may not have completely similar interests, and the writer should position the proposal to highlight aspects that fulfil the funder's needs.^[4][5] Grantsmanship analysis may involve conducting research on the organisation and corresponding with relevant staff.^[6]

Although grant writing has traditionally been carried out by the person or organisation seeking to carry out the grant's objectives if funded, third-party grant writers may also be employed.^[7] A growing number of professional and academic courses have developed on grant writing.^[7][8]

Process

Open grants are often posted online through a request for proposals.^[9]

After a grant has been selected, the elements of proposal creation typically involve:^[10]

• Analyzing the intended audience for the proposal
• Analyzing the purpose of the proposal
• Gathering information about the subject of the proposal
• Writing the proposal
• Formatting the proposal
• Revising, editing, and proofreading the proposal
• Submitting the proposal

These elements are less discrete stages than they are overlapping and often recursive activities.^[11] The individual sections of a grant proposal include:

1. Summary or abstract^[12][13]
2. Introduction or narrative^[14]
   1. Mission statement^[15]
   2. Significance^[16]
3. Analysis
   1. Literature review
   2. Data collection or projection^[17][18]
4. Workplan^[19]
   1. Methodology
   2. Evaluation
   3. Communications
5. Budget
6. Experience
7. Appendices

The post award phase is the last part of the lifecycle of a grant.^[20][21] After funding is awarded, the funder may require the award recipient to make changes for continued support or as part of the grant contract.^[22]

Analysis

Some major agencies list recent grant recipients and titles of proposals online.^[23] In the United States, a grant writer may request copies from the funding agency using the Freedom of Information Act.^[4]

Drafting

Some grant writers work in a team with other professionals.^[24]