Proposals refer to the project narrative, i.e., the document that introduces what you are proposing to research, proposes thought-provoking but concrete and answerable questions, situates the project in the context of the scholarly literature, details a methodologically sound plan for research, and convinces the funder that the project is one of significance to its mission. At the GGC, we believe that grant-writing is a genre of writing in its own right, distinct from other types of writing in the academy, and we are here to help you master that.
Proposal-Writing Resources
From clearly articulated goals to a well-argued presentation of the broader implications of your research, this is what grant reviewers are looking for.
The Holy Grail: In Pursuit of the Dissertation Proposal, by Michael Watts. A fantastic resource for anyone writing grants for dissertation support, with relevant advice for other kinds of funding proposals as well. Includes links to sample proposals, some of which include budgets.
Grant Writing for Graduate Students, from the Chronicle of Higher Education
Grantspace by Candid (formerly Foundation Center) Introduction to Proposal Writing
Applying for Artistic Grants and Fellowships: Some practical suggestions learned from personal experiences, both good and bad, by Prof. Jeffrey Hass, Jacobs School of Music.
- Berkeley's The Graduate: The Making of a Successful Proposal. A semiannual newsletter for graduate students. This issue, The Making of a Successful Proposal, is a great resource with guiding questions on the content to include in a good proposal.
- Berkeley Research Development Office’s guide to Proposal Writing, including NIH and NSF guides Sample Proposals to Fulbright and the NSF at the UC-Berkeley Institute of International Studies
University of Alaska Fairbanks’s Office of Grants & Contracts Administration has a small database of sample funded proposals.
Reading examples of successful proposals is also an excellent way to hone your proposal-writing abilities. A great way to locate examples of successful proposals is checking funders' websites in cases where they provide such resources and speaking with advanced students or faculty in your field/ program.
Note: If you have a successful grant proposal that you would like to share with GGC for use with other graduate students, please let us know! We will redact all personal information.