How to Win an Education Grant: Program Designs

Proposals that win grants for K-12 education have many predictable information needs. Applicants that have such information at the ready before the announcement of a grant opportunity greatly improve the likelihood of funding.

 

 

Although applicants may not need every item listed here for every proposal narrative, among the elements it is prudent to prepare are: instruction, professional development, curriculum, parent/community involvement, marketing and dissemination, and timelines.

 

Instruction

 

1. Rationale for selection of instructional approach
2. Rationale for rejection of other instructional approaches
3. Description of relationship to funder’s standards and guidelines
4. Description of relationship to funder’s priorities/goals
5. Description of relationship to other relevant funder programs, if any
6. Locations/descriptions of destinations or venues for instructional activities (e.g., field trips)
7. List of pertinent local resources for each target content area

 

Professional Development

 

1. Rationale for selection of approach to professional development
2. Locations and venues for all key activities
3. Local resources for technology-related activities
4. Types of activity to be conducted (e.g., retreats, seminars, courses, institutes)
5. Locations and dates for all conferences to attend (local, state, regional, national)
6. Description of plans to utilize internal resources for professional development
7. Description of plans to utilize cost-free resources for professional development

 

Curriculum

 

1. Rationale for selection of approach to the curriculum
2. Sources of curricula for each target content area, if any
3. Sources of curricular materials for each key program activity
4. Description of alignment of curricula with state academic standards
5. Description of curricula to be developed, if any
6. Description of plans for ensuring high quality in developing curricular materials

 

Family/Community Engagement

 

1. Rationale for selection of approach to parent/community involvement
2. Composition of application advisory council or similar group, if any
3. Plans to create and operate a parent/community advisory committee, if any
4. List of local resources for integrating technology in parent/community involvement
5. Types of activities to be held involving parents/community
6. Topics and roles for engaging parents/community in participation
7. Strategies for ensuring and increasing parent/community involvement

 

Marketing and Dissemination

 

1. Rationale for selection of approach to marketing and dissemination
2. List of types of marketing and dissemination media to be used
3. List of target audiences for marketing and dissemination activities
4. Description of venues for marketing and dissemination events

 

Timelines and Schedules

 

1. Timeline for implementing key program activities
2. Timeline for implementing key evaluation activities
3. Duration of pre-service and in-service phases, if any
4. Start-up and end dates for initial and subsequent project years
5. Schedule for a typical instructional (or program services) day
6. Schedule (or frequency) for project staff meetings
7. Schedule (or frequency) for advisory body meetings
8. Schedule (or frequency) for parent/community meetings
9. Schedule (or frequency) for professional development events

 

Other posts cover information needs for other aspects of educational grant proposals.