Your Grant Writing Bestie: Application Guides
When you sit down to begin a new grant application, where do you normally start? The excitement you feel about a project makes it easy to want to jump directly into writing an application. Don’t worry, we get that same excitement! But before expressing that eagerness on paper, or more likely in a Word document, it is crucial to find the funder’s application guide and read it thoroughly. Depending on the funder, application guides can differ in length, detail, user-friendliness, and in some cases, the funder does not provide one at all. If they don’t have an application guide, a funder’s website often has hints about priority areas and guidelines which can help get you started.
After you download or print your application guide, read through it meticulously to ensure you follow all of the rules set out by the funder. Grab your favourite colour of highlighter, a stack of sticky notes, and dig in! It is important to remember that the application guidelines are not suggestions; rather, they are grant writing rules that can be an easy way for donors to weed out applicants who don’t comply with the instructions.
Application guides often contain everything you’ll need to know before you start writing, including the font size you should use, page or word limits, what attachments you’ll need, how to submit the application, and sometimes, how to position your answers. Some of these rules might seem insignificant, or mildly annoying if you prefer using Calibri over Arial, but following these instructions is just as important as crafting a solid application.
When it comes to application guides for government grants, they often include information about aligning your answers to key mandates and priorities. Government guides also sometimes provide a breakdown of the scoring system that will be used to evaluate your application, including specific point values for each section, which will help determine how much detail or which details to include as you work through the questions.
Although sifting through an application guide may not seem exciting, it is an important part of the grant writing process. These guides provide a look into the mind of the funder and what they are expecting from applicants, allowing you to create a strong and well-aligned proposal. When you open that next application guide, look at it as a roadmap for success that you can use to drive home a winning grant.