After
analyzing hundreds of grant proposals that were rejected, the following
list has been put together. It contains the major reasons readers have
rejected proposals.
A. Needs
Statement
The needs statement
is not of sufficient importance, or is unlikely to produce any new
useful information.
The proposed
research is based upon insufficient evidence, is doubtful, or unsound.
The problem
is more complex than the writer appears to realize.
The problem
has only local significance or fails to fall within the general
field of the granting agency.
The proposal
is too ambitious, too many elements under simultaneous investigation.
The writing
is nebulous and diffuse with a clear research aim.
B. Approach
The methods,
procedures and evaluations are unsuited to the stated objective(s).
The description
is lacking in clarity to permit adequate evaluation.
The overall
design is not carefully thought out.
The approach
lacks scientific imagination.
The material
proposed to be used is unsuited to the study's objective.
C. Personnel
Personnel does
not have adequate experience or training for this research.
Personnel proposes
to rely too heavily on insufficiently experienced associates.
Personnel needs
more liaison with colleagues, s/he is not trying to take into account
related fields, etc.
This grant writing
pages were written by Nancy Powell, teacher at Bloomington High School,
Bloomington, IL, and a former TeachNet Web Mentor.
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