Proposal Submission Process and Guidelines

Overview of Proposal Submission Process

  • The discussion focuses on the steps and considerations taken after a proposal has been submitted for review, particularly Letters of Intent (LOIs) and full proposals.

Importance of Adhering to Guidelines

  • Committees and boards are responsible for reviewing LOIs and full proposals.

    • They can quickly assess whether the applicant has included all necessary information.

  • A proposal can be well-composed; however, missing even a single required element can lead to rejection.

  • Common reasons for proposal rejection:

    • Title Issues: Titles that are excessively long.

    • Budget Discrepancies: Slight deviations in budget numbers.

    • Submission Errors: Uploading documents in incorrect sections.

    • Timing Issues: Submitting a proposal right before the deadline that results in a late submission due to a technical problem (e.g., computer glitches).

  • Numerous anecdotal horror stories exist regarding LOIs and full proposals that were rejected due to not closely following guidelines.

Variability in Requirements for Full Proposals

  • Requirements for full proposals can differ significantly between foundations.

    • Online Applications: Some foundations may request online submissions.

    • Online applications often necessitate more concise formats with strict word or character limits.

    • Exceeding these limits can prevent completion of submissions; sentences may be truncated.

    • Government Proposals: These may require extensive detail, leading to increased time for completion.

  • It is crucial to thoroughly review application requirements before commencing proposal writing:

    • To ensure project qualifications with funders.

    • To adhere correctly to submission instructions.

Consequences of Not Following Instructions

  • Non-adherence to guidelines greatly increases the risk of rejection for a proposal.

  • After submitting to a potential funder, one must remember that acquiring funding typically does not happen immediately.

Economic Context Affecting Funding

  • The U.S. has faced economic fluctuations; since the Great Recession, funding competition has intensified.

  • Common feedback from funders to grant applicants:

    • "We had an overwhelming number of grant submissions, and we are only able to fund a small number."

  • This outcome suggests that the specific proposal may not receive funding.

Persistence in Proposal Submission

  • If an applicant receives a notice that their project cannot be funded, it is important not to feel discouraged.

  • The process requires perseverance:

    • If the funder is open to providing feedback, the applicant should take notes on suggested revisions and improvements.

    • The revised proposal can either be resubmitted during the next funding cycle to the same funder or redirected to a different funding organization.