What follows is a template for writing a short project proposal that, once developed, will position you to move forward with building partnerships with other institutions or for pursuing funding opportunities. Though this template does not directly reflect a specific grant narrative format, the short project proposal includes important project-development steps that can later form the basis for a wide variety of grant narratives.
- Title:
- Lead Applicant/PI:
- Funding Opportunity:
- Proposal Deadline
150 word summary of project: (1 short paragraph)
Statement of the conditions that make the project necessary and beneficial for your key audiences (2-3 paragraphs).
A brief explanation that combines your environmental scan and your research goals. Why is what you are doing necessary and different in your field—and maybe to more than just scholars in your field. (4-5 paragraphs)
Rough outline and project calendar that includes project design and evaluation, and possibly a communications plan, depending on the grant with major deliverables (bullet-pointed list of phases and duration):
- Phase 1 (month/year - month/year):
- Phase 2 (month/year - month/year):
- Phase 3 (month/year - month/year):
Description of the why the cooperating institutions and key personnel are well-suited to undertake this work (list of experience and responsibilities of each staff member, and institutional description).
If applicable, describe how this project will live beyond the grant period. Will it continue to be accessible? How so? A data management plan might need to be specified here.