Fall Grant Proposal Requirements
A strong written grant proposal starts with understanding the requirements.
- Grant proposal components
- Scoring rubric
- Example proposal
- Foundation Grant video submission expectations
Written Grant Proposal
Formatting Requirements
Your proposal must:
- Be submitted as a PDF
- Be 4 pages or less (excluding references, budget, and appendix)
- Use 12-point Times New Roman font
- Use 1-inch margins
- Be double-spaced (budget and timeline sections may be single-spaced)
Section Requirements
Project Title
- Include the title of your project at the top of the proposal.
- Do not include a separate title page.
Intellectual Merit
Describe your project and the work that supports it.
Include:
- Background information and relevant research
- Influences, references, or previous work
- Your research methods or creative process
- Expected outcomes
- Steps you will take to complete the project
Broad Impact
- Explain why your project matters.
- Consider:
- How your project contributes to your field
- Why others should care about the results
- How you will share your work (presentation, paper, exhibition, performance, etc.)
- Write this section for a general audience, not just experts in your field.
Personal Impact
- Explain why this project is important to you.
- Include:
- Your academic or career goals
- What you hope to learn from the experience
- What inspired your interest in the topic
References and Influences
- List all sources used in preparing your proposal.
- Use the citation style appropriate for your discipline
- May be single-spaced
- Limited to one page
- Does not count toward the 4-page proposal limit
Optional Requirements
Appendix (Optional)
- You may include a one-page appendix to help reviewers better understand your project.
- Examples:
- Sketches or visual concepts
- Drafts or sample work
- Survey questions
- Figures, diagrams, or mockups
- Influential examples related to your project
- The appendix cannot be used to extend required proposal sections.
Budget (If Requesting Supplies)
- Include a budget if you are requesting funding for project supplies.
- Your budget should:
- List specific items and estimated costs
- Explain why each item is necessary
- Reflect realistic expenses
- Please note:
- Gift cards and participant incentives will not be funded.
- Equipment purchased through grant funds becomes department property.
- Items already provided through other funding sources should not be included.
- This section may be single-spaced and presented as a table.
Stipend-Only Requests
- If you are requesting only a student stipend and no supply funding, a budget is not required.
Foundation Video Requirement
Students applying for a Foundation Grant must submit a 2-minute video introducing their project. Resources below provide guidance on recording and uploading your video, as well as tips for converting documents to PDF format.
A few things to know:
- The video is not scored as part of the proposal review process.
- However, it may be shared with Foundation donors and can help showcase the value and impact of your project.
- Present yourself professionally, speak clearly, and let your enthusiasm for your project shine through.
Tip: Keep your explanation simple and engaging. Focus on what your project is, why it matters, and what you hope to accomplish.
