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USDA Grant Writing Key USDA Grant Writing Key TipsTips
NC USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENTNC USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT December 2008December 2008
NCDA&CSNCDA&CS
Keys to SuccessKeys to SuccessDetermine if you want to applyDetermine if you want to applyMake sure your idea is eligible Make sure your idea is eligible Know what you must do for fundingKnow what you must do for fundingCarefully follow instructions for Carefully follow instructions for submitting proposalssubmitting proposalsKeep it simple- Clear presentationKeep it simple- Clear presentation
Presented By:Presented By:
Nathan HollemanNathan HollemanInternational Trade SpecialistInternational Trade Specialist
NCDA&CSNCDA&CS919-733-7912919-733-7912
[email protected]@ncagr.gov
Should You Apply ?Should You Apply ?
Grant should fit your directionGrant should fit your directionGrant cycle coincides projectGrant cycle coincides projectGrants are not free moneyGrants are not free moneyHave time to dedicate to Have time to dedicate to crafting a good applicationcrafting a good application
Should You Apply ?Should You Apply ?DonDon’’t count on Your political t count on Your political cloutcloutGrants are reviewed for Grants are reviewed for technical merittechnical meritHave time for payment process if Have time for payment process if rewardedrewarded
Before StartingBefore Starting
In 2008 roughly 50% of eligible applications received funding.
The Rural Development website has a list of questions to help you determine eligibility.
Be eligible
Eligible RequirementsEligible RequirementsMake sure your idea is
eligible for the grant
i.e. Bio mass and renewable energy are for the 9006
Understand the ProgramUnderstand the Program
Get a list of projects Get a list of projects previously funded under previously funded under the program.the program.
How does your idea How does your idea compares to those compares to those projects.projects.
If not sure ask ahead of If not sure ask ahead of time for potential fittime for potential fit
Understand the ProgramUnderstand the ProgramUSDA wants to spend the moneyUSDA wants to spend the moneyProgram details available at USDA website.Program details available at USDA website.-9006--9006-
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/whttp://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/what_is.htmlhat_is.html
– VAPG-VAPG-http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vaphttp://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vapg%202006%20guide%20final.pdfg%202006%20guide%20final.pdf
Avoid MistakesAvoid Mistakes
Turn in the grant earlyTurn in the grant earlySign the formsSign the formsNumber all pagesNumber all pagesSubmit a complete applicationSubmit a complete applicationMake sure your budget adds upMake sure your budget adds upInclude sufficient detailInclude sufficient detailKeep an extra copy Keep an extra copy
Outline Your Plan of AttackOutline Your Plan of AttackSummarize your idea in one or two Summarize your idea in one or two sentencessentencesFocus on the identified priorities of the Focus on the identified priorities of the programprogramEmphasize partnerships with others like Emphasize partnerships with others like the NC State, Cooperative Extension, the NC State, Cooperative Extension, NCDA&CS, NCA&T and local groupsNCDA&CS, NCA&T and local groupsExplain your project in logical stepsExplain your project in logical stepsLook for help with the applicationLook for help with the application
Grant Writing AssistanceGrant Writing AssistanceA professional grant writer is not A professional grant writer is not required, but may be helpfulrequired, but may be helpfulExtension agents, local development Extension agents, local development offices, and universities all have grant offices, and universities all have grant writing experiencewriting experienceUSDA staff can give great advice (if you USDA staff can give great advice (if you ask in advance)ask in advance)Take time for another set of eyes to Take time for another set of eyes to review the application before submittingreview the application before submitting
Proposal OutlineProposal Outline
Get the proposal template onlineGet the proposal template onlineExecutive summary (most important Executive summary (most important page)page)Project narrativeProject narrativeProject timeline (whoProject timeline (who’’s doing what, s doing what, when)when)Detailed budget with notes Detailed budget with notes Specific results Specific results
Avoid MistakesAvoid Mistakes
Follow all rules-even small onesFollow all rules-even small ones– Reviewers of grants have many proposals to Reviewers of grants have many proposals to
scorescore– Make yours clear and obviousMake yours clear and obvious
GET YOUR DUNS NUMBER AHEAD OF GET YOUR DUNS NUMBER AHEAD OF TIMETIME– http://www.ccr.gov/pdfs/DUNSGuideGovVenhttp://www.ccr.gov/pdfs/DUNSGuideGovVen
dors.pdfdors.pdf
If reviewers cannot If reviewers cannot CLEARLYCLEARLY understand your businessunderstand your business you you will notwill not score well score well
Crystal Ball RuleCrystal Ball Rule
– Don’t assume they know how your business works
Format IssuesFormat IssuesMargins Margins ––1 inch top/bottom, 1 inch top/bottom, left/rightleft/rightLine spacing Line spacing –– usually single spaced usually single spaced paragraphs with two spaces between paragraphs with two spaces between paragraphs.paragraphs.Type style Type style –– reviewers want 12 pt. reviewers want 12 pt.
typetype——itit’’s easy to read.s easy to read.Page limits Page limits –– do not exceed. do not exceed.
The Money QuestionThe Money Question
Why should I give Why should I give you my money?you my money?
(and not these other 300 (and not these other 300 applications)applications)
Proposal OutlineProposal Outline1 1 –– page Executive Summary page Executive Summary– The 4-WsThe 4-Ws
WhoWho you are (emphasis on partnerships) you are (emphasis on partnerships)WhatWhat you are proposing you are proposingWhyWhy you should be funded (results) you should be funded (results)WhenWhen (project timeline) (project timeline)
Proposal Outline (Cont’d.)Proposal Outline (Cont’d.)Background Background – More detail about your organizationMore detail about your organization– Why the program administrators should Why the program administrators should
have confidence that you can do what you have confidence that you can do what you saysay
– Build partnerships (who are recognized, Build partnerships (who are recognized, credible groups that are working with credible groups that are working with and/or supporting you)and/or supporting you)
Goals/ObjectivesGoals/Objectives– Have 3-4 key goals that relate to the Have 3-4 key goals that relate to the
program from which you are seeking program from which you are seeking funding.funding.
– Be specific, clear, focusedBe specific, clear, focused
Proposal OutlineProposal OutlineProject narrativeProject narrative– Money should match the project size. Money should match the project size. – Be specific about what you hope to Be specific about what you hope to
accomplish and when.accomplish and when.– Indicate a willingness to share your Indicate a willingness to share your
experiences with other producer groups.experiences with other producer groups.
Wrap-upWrap-upUnderstand the grant programUnderstand the grant programSay what you want to doSay what you want to doCarefully follow instructions for Carefully follow instructions for submitting proposals: make sure it is submitting proposals: make sure it is complete prior to submissioncomplete prior to submissionKeep it simpleKeep it simple
ConclusionConclusionBe eligibleBe eligible
Avoid mistakesAvoid mistakes Have a good technical proposalHave a good technical proposal
Submit a complete applicationSubmit a complete application
Be Clear!
Get going: Don’t Wait!
QuestionsQuestions
Nathan Holleman/NCDA&CSNathan Holleman/NCDA&CS919-733-7912, ext. 246919-733-7912, ext. [email protected]@ncagr.gov
