Page 235 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

202 n GRANTSMANSHIP

questions and answers them before the ques- grant writing is to read and follow the direc-
tion is raised. tions. Although this seems simple enough, it
G Repetition of important content is is surprising how many would-be grant writ-
another key aspect of good grant writing. If ers neglect to carefully read all instructions
it is an important point, it is worth repeat- for a particular grant application and/or to
ing to ensure that a reviewer does not miss follow them faithfully. Grant application
it. Repetition also is essential in the choice directions are not suggestions; they must
of words for key concepts. Once a concept is be followed exactly or risk rejection before
named and defined, the grant writer should going to review.
stick with the identified word, term, or Most grant applications come with very
phrase. Altering a phase or using alternative specific guidelines about such things as who
terms to provide some variety only serves to is eligible to apply, budget limits, allowable
confuse a reviewer trying to follow the spe- costs, page limits, margins, font sizes, sec-
cific ideas presented. tion sequencing, type of content expected,
Good grantsmanship also requires a number of references allowed, what may go
thick skin. Many more grant applications in appendices (if allowed), who must sign
are written and submitted than are actually where and what, and so forth. It is imperative
funded. A good grant writer will seek multi- that the grant writer adhere to all identified
ple reviews from colleagues before actually specifications. Some funding agencies return
submitting a grant to the funding agency. grants unreviewed if the directions are not
It is wise to seek reviewers for a variety of followed. Moreover, not following directions
purposes. Some reviewers should be famil- raises questions about the careful attention to
iar with the content area of the grant appli- detail needed to carry out most projects and
cation to be able to identify important errors thus may reflect poorly on the applicant.
or gaps in content. Other reviewers should be A second cardinal rule and basic element
unfamiliar with the specific content area to of good grantsmanship is to know and to
protect against assumed knowledge by insid- understand the goals and mission of the par-
ers and to determine if the grant is written ticular funding agency to which one plans to
in a manner that convinces a knowledgeable submit the grant application. For example,
but otherwise uninformed reviewer about each institute in the National Institutes of
the worthiness of the proposed project. Still Health (NIH) has a specific mandate to fund
others may be used for things such as gram- certain types of research. Within these man-
mar, editing, and typos not found by com- dates, each institute sets priorities identify-
puter spell-checks. A thick skin is needed to ing specific areas in which they are seeking
request and receive a brutal review and to proposals. Similarly, foundations and other
respond to all concerns and criticisms with- grant funders have specific missions and
out defensiveness. Although we all like to funding priorities. Before writing a grant
hear the positives about our work, it is far application, one should investigate and deter-
better to hear from a colleague about the mine what funding agency would be the best
flaws and concerns raised by our proposal match for the intended project. Doing so also
and to be able to revise the grant application allows tailoring the proposal to the needs
accordingly than to have the very same con- and desires of the funding agency.
cerns raised in the official review and result The grant writer needs to convince the
in a poor evaluation and no funding. funding agency or foundation that the pro-
Although the specific proposal is the posed project is exactly what they want to
heart of the grant, good grantsmanship support and that it specifically addresses the
involves much more than just writing the funder’s stated priorities and goals. This is
actual proposal. The first cardinal rule in true for all grant applications. One helpful