Tips on Submitting a Grant

1. Be sure to follow the instructions exactly.
2. If the funder requires that the proposal be submitted via an online proposal template in addition to a paper proposal, do not wait until the last minute to submit. Heavy loads on the submission system at the end of the application period may freeze the system which could cause you to miss the deadline. With federal grants, if an electronic submission is required, you may apply to submit your proposal in paper form due if you encounter such problems. Contact the grant's funder for assistance if you experience this type of problem. It is suggested that you, print out and enclose any error pages you receive from the online submission system with your request.
3.  Many federal grants address Empowerment zones /Enterprise Community Priority. If your district is in an Empowerment zone or Enterprise community, you may receive additional points which are added to the grant after it has been reviewed/scored by the reading panel. Similar additional points may also be awarded to novice applicants.
4. Generally speaking, do not use elaborate bindings, notebooks, or covers. For most grant applications, they are not required and do not improve your chances of being funded. In some instances, they are a hindrance since the funding agency may have to "dismantle" the grant in order to make copies or distribute it to readers.
5. Show proof of mailing or request a receipt if delivering by hand. It's best to send certified mail or use a commercial carrier that will provide an official receipt showing the date. A private metered postmark or a mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service will not be considered proof of mailing for most grants including those which are federally funded.
6. Grants are stamped when they are received. Try to send in your grants a few days early so that it appears you are on the ball.
7.  If not approved, you might request that the scoring and readers' comments be sent to you. If you have the opportunity to resubmit the application at a later date, adjust the proposal accordingly for resubmission on the next round. Caveat: Review the comments critically. You may not agree with all of them. If you rewrite the application, address the comments you feel are most essential and that you believe will make significant improvements.
8. Acknowledge the assistance of teachers, collaborators, partners, advisory council members, and other contributors to the effort.
9. Keep stakeholders informed of any activity related to the application.

Source:
Nancy Rowch, Director of Equal Education Opportunity, Nebraska Department of Education, Lincoln, Nebraska.

The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and are intended for general reference purposes only. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education or the Center, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Some resources on this site require Adobe Acrobat Reader. This website archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.