Preparation

• Make sure your idea fits the grant criteria (location, non-equipment, etc)
• Look for full grants and mini-grants too
• May need to become member of professional organization(s) to be considered
• Grants have two broad categories:
  • New proposals
  • Help to buildup existing projects
• “Less is more” in proposal
• Find colleagues as collaborators, community support
• Look at successful proposals of other grant ideas
• Find multiple uses of money, if possible
• Involve students
• Is your project sustainable beyond funding?
• Gather ‘writing tools’
• Success breeds success in grants

Writing

• Use technical writing, not a creative writing style
• Be clear and concise in writing style
• Make sure to plan ahead and make the deadline, if not before
• Display confidence & enthusiasm
• Do your homework: research, cite studies that support your project
• “Jargonize” appropriately
• “Less is More” in writing
• Develop specific, attainable goals in your project
• Provide and timeline and a means for evaluation
• Be prepared to showcase your successes already related to grant
• Discuss potential problems and pitfalls
• Consider your funding needs
• Proofread! Avoid simple typos, misspellings, or awkward formatting
• Critique your own proposal
• Have others read your final draft as well
• Turn in ON TIME (or ahead of time)

Follow-up

• Some grants will contact you regardless of acceptance
• Don’t get discouraged – a good idea is still worth doing. Look for other funding, try again next year
• You may have a perfect idea/application and still get rejected
• If rejected, ask grantor for comments/suggestions
• If accepted, make sure to follow criteria for follow-up: report, publicity, etc

Links

• Grant Writing for Begninners(from TECHlearning): [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]
• Tips for Writing NIH Grants [Link]
• From November Learning: [Wining Grants - pdf], [Grants: Beyond the Money]

Grant Sources (specifically science)

• Local Grants (School, District, Foundation, Community, etc.)
• WSST Foundation Grants
• Toyota Tapestry Grants (large and mini)
• Best Buy Te@ch Awards – awards success using technology
• Hach Scientific Chemistry Projects
• Vernier Technology Award/Grant
• Grants Available through NSTA
• Teacher’s Network List of Science Teacher Grants
• Technology Grant News List of Science Education Grants
• The Foundation Center
• Kathy Shrock’s Grant Listing

Do you have other ideas, or grant sources to share?