FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can grant writing help my organisation?
Grant writing is the process of developing a formal, written request for financial support from a government agency, corporation, charitable foundation or trust. It increases your chances of securing funding to implement new projects, expand services, or conduct research that may otherwise be financially challenging.
Mastering grant writing enhances your organisation's sustainability and growth by tapping into numerous funding opportunities, including those from the European Union, individual governments, charities, and trusts. Grant writing empowers your organisation to access the necessary resources to thrive and make a meaningful impact.
How long does it take to write and submit a grant proposal?
The timeline for writing and submitting a grant proposal in Europe can vary significantly depending on the project's complexity, the specific grant, the institution involved and your team's experience.
However, developing a good application can take a few days to several months. It's crucial to allow ample time for thorough research, writing a compelling proposal, revising, getting necessary approvals, and providing enough time to finalise and submit documents. A detailed work plan that identifies all the tasks, milestones, roles and responsibilities is vital to ensure the grant is submitted on time. Grant providers will not accept late submissions.
A grant writer can help you understand the tasks and timeframes involved. They provide invaluable insights on how best to develop, review and submit the applications, particularly when multiple parties are involved. An experienced grant specialist can help manage and streamline the process and ensure you deliver an application that meets the grant requirements and evaluation criteria on time.
What is the process for submitting a grant application?
The general steps to submitting a grant application are:
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Identify the appropriate funding scheme for your project, often available through government and philanthropic websites.
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Prepare a robust proposal aligned to the specific call topic, detailing the project's objectives, methodology, and expected impacts.
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Once the proposal is fine-tuned, it is electronically submitted through the specified platform before the deadline.
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The proposal then undergoes a strict evaluation process conducted by independent experts.
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Successful applicants are informed, and a grant agreement is prepared, outlining the project's budget, timeline and delivery.
For further details about the process, contact us, and we will explain the process specific to your project and grant application.
What is the difference between a grant and a tender proposal?
While both a grant and tender proposal are formal applications for funding, they are distinct in their nature and purpose. A grant proposal is typically submitted to a public or private organisation, outlining a project or program that needs financial support for the greater public good, such as educational initiatives, medical research, or social services. Here, the emphasis is on the social impact and how the grant will contribute significantly to a specified cause.
On the other hand, a tender, or bid proposal, is usually submitted in response to a public or private call for a specific service or product. This typically involves competition with other businesses to win a contract, where the emphasis is more on the quality, cost-effectiveness, and efficient execution of the outlined project or service. The prospective client awards the contract to the company that presents the most compelling and cost-effective proposal.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when writing a grant proposal?
When writing a grant proposal, there are several common mistakes to avoid:
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Misunderstanding the grant's requirements can lead to unsuccessful applications.
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Vague objectives often create confusion and doubt in the minds of the reviewers.
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Grant proposals need to be free of grammatical errors and typos, as they may reflect negatively on your professionalism.
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Being unclear about how the funds will be used and their impact can make it difficult for reviewers to determine the value of your project.
Avoiding these common mistakes can significantly enhance the chances of your grant proposal being accepted. To learn more, contact the experts.