Indirect cost rates, fringe benefit rates, etc. Timeline for preparing proposals Important resources for the writing process Comprehensive guide for preparing submissions Tips for Developing Proposals that Get Funded

The key to any grant-winning effort is to develop a superior proposal based on a great idea that fits the funding agency's aims. Understanding the type of people who will be reviewing your proposal and making their job as easy as possible makes the difference between a good proposal and one that gets funded. Here are some suggestions for improving your chances of winning an award:
Follow the instructions carefully Provide all the information asked for in the application instructions, in the order requested. Make a list of everything you are going to need and the questions you need to answer. Identify the data you need, the supporting documents, resumes, and required forms, etc.
Communicate clearly
and concisely		 State clearly and accurately what you will do, how you will do it and why it is important. Don't leave your reviewers guessing about what you mean. Justify everything, including budget items, according to their importance to the project. Avoid jargon; no reviewer wants to take the time to use a dictionary to figure out what you are trying to say. Saying the same thing several different ways is also irritating to the reviewer, so avoid unnecessary repetition.
Be organized A detailed table of contents, informative abstract, and logically presented narrative that uses headings and strong topic sentences mean less work (hunting) for reviewers.
Format for readability
and attractiveness		 Don't right-justify; that makes it harder for a weary reviewer to read. Use headings, tables, charts and graphs to break up the narrative and to succinctly present information. Use headings and underlining to call attention to important sections or words. Leave a reasonable amount of white space on the pages. Pay close attention to any formatting requirements contained in the application. Don't single-space if it tells you to double-space.
Early Preparation and
Time Management		 Get the program announcement early and analyze it. Obtain copies of previous applications, since many change minimally from one year to the next, and start using the old application as a guide until the new version is available. Keep in mind that anything mailed from Washington (i.e. the new application) will take at least a week to get to California, so the more you can do ahead of time, the better. Talk to program officers about expected changes between the old timetable for proposal development, review, and finalization to help you in managing the process and your time.
Get feedback on your drafts from others Preparation will be easier if you work with a team. The team may include colleagues, District Grants Director, Deans and/or Associate Deans, Researchers, Accountants, and support staff. Get feedback and suggestions from colleagues in your own or other institutions. Program Officers are frequently willing to read a short concept paper several months prior to the start of an application process, and can provide valuable advice and feedback.
Cover all the bases Make sure you provide everything the application has asked for and that you have anticipated and addressed any concerns that the reviewers may have. Remember that both your proposal and the reviewer are on the line.
Proposal deadlines
are absolute		 If your proposal is late, it's dead! Read deadline and mailing information carefully. Does it say that it must be in the agency's mailroom by 5 p.m. Friday the 13th or does it say postmarked by that date? If it has to be at the agency by that time, don't count on 24-hour delivery to get it there on time. Allow at least two extra days for the mistakes that can and do happen. Get proposals postmarked at the Post Office, not your college mailroom. Don't give the mailroom responsibility for taking it to the Post Office, or giving it to Federal Express. It may not get there when it needs to. Do it yourself so you know it's safely on its way. And get proof of the date and time mailed. If you mail it through Federal Express, your package can be tracked.
Learn from your
experience and don't
be afraid to reapply		 If your proposal fails to be funded, request the reviewer comments, read them carefully, talk to the Program Officer and use this information to improve and resubmit your proposal. Many proposals are funded on the second or even third try. According to Dr. Robert Watson, Director of Undergraduate Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Education at the National Science Foundation, "Statistically, those who apply a second time do better." (Source: AACJC Times, Jan. 2, 1990)