EAPP 11

1. E A P P : L E S S O N 9
CONCEPT PAPERS IN
VARIOUS DISCIPLINES

2. CONCEPT PAPER
• is about a particular project with its purpose and
outcomes. It is usually created to get funding from
potential sponsors.
• The main goal of writing a concept paper is to explain
why the project matters and who its beneficiaries will
be. To create a successful one, you must use clear,
passionate language that will show your target
sponsors that the goal of your project matches up
with the kinds of initiatives that they want to support.

3. GUIDELINES IN WRITING CONCEPT PAPERS FOR INITIATING PROJECTS OR PROGRAMS
• A. Establish your purpose
1. Grab your reader’s attention. Concept papers are meant to
persuade sponsors, convincing them to fund or adopt your idea.
This means it’s critical to “hook” them right at the beginning.
• For instance, you could start off your paper with an attention-
grabbing statistic related to your project: “Every year, 10.5 million
pounds of food go to waste due
to one common pest: Rats.”
• Giving your concept paper a descriptive title, like “Lock the Rat
Box: Humane,
Hands-Free Rodent Control,” is another good way to grab their
attention.

4. • 2. Explain why you are approaching this sponsor.
After getting your reader’s attention, the
introduction to your concept paper should then
describe how your goals and the sponsor’s mission
mesh. This tells the sponsor that you’ve done your
homework and are serious about approaching
them.
• Example: “The Savco Foundation has long been
committed to funding projects that foster healthy
communities. We have developed Lock the Rat Box
as an easy, cost-effective means to lower illness
rates and sanitation costs in municipalities, and are
seeking your support for the project.”

5. • 3. Describe the problem your project addresses. The
next section of a concept paper will devote a few
sentences or short paragraphs to the specific
purpose of your project. Describe the problem you
want to solve, and illustrate how you know it exists
• 4. Put the problem in context to explain why it
matters. Show how your project relates to current
issues, questions, or problems. Statistics and other
numerical data can help build a convincing case
for why your problem matters. Some readers might
also be moved by narratives or personal stories, so
consider including those as well.

6. B. EXPLAINING HOW YOUR CONCEPT WORKS
• 1. Share the basics of your method. Even if readers are
convinced you have identified an issue that matters,
they’ll still want to know that you have an idea for how
to solve or investigate it. Spend some time in your
concept paper describing the methods you will use.
• 2. Emphasize what makes your methods unique.
Remember that sponsors may be looking at numerous
requests for funding. To ensure that yours is successful,
you have to explain what sets your project apart. Ask
yourself the question: “What is my project doing that no
one has done or tried before?”

7. • 3. Include a timeline. You can’t expect a donor or
foundation to be willing to fund a completely open-
ended project. Part of your concept paper should
explain the projected timeline for implementing your
project.
• 4. Give concrete examples of how you will assess your
project. Sponsors want to fund projects that are likely
to succeed, and part of your job in the
concept paper is to explain how to measure your
project’s outcomes. If you are developing a product,
for example, that success can be measured in units
produced and/or sold. Other assessment tools could
include things like surveys to gauge customer
satisfaction, community involvement, or other metrics

8. • 5. Provide a preliminary budget. Sponsors will be interested to see a
general overview of how much your project is expected to cost.
This explains the need
for funding and helps the sponsor determine if the project’s scope is
appropriate. A concept paper is a preliminary proposal, so not
every detail needs to be spelled out, but give info on the basics of
costs that may include things like:
• Personnel, including any assistants
• Equipment and supplies
• Travel
• Consultants you may need to bring in
• Space (rent, for example)
• 6. End with a project summary. Wrap things up with a short
paragraph at the
end of your paper, reiterating your project’s purpose, basic plan of
action, and
needs. Focus on the essential points you want to stick in the
sponsor’s mind.

9. C. REVIEWING THE DRAFT
• 1. Keep it short and neat. Concept papers are
typically short documents of 3-5 double-spaced
pages. Sponsors may have many applications to
read, and a concept paper that drags on or is poorly
formatted might get rejected outright. If the
application requests a particular format, follow the
directions exactly. Otherwise, type your paper in a
standard font at a readable size (12 point is good),
number your pages, and use reasonable margins (1
inch all around is fine).

10. • 2. Check that the language of your concept paper is
action-oriented. Sponsors are looking for projects that
are well-thought out and doable. Avoid
hedging your proposal or doing anything that sounds
like you aren’t completely confident in your project.
• 3. Use vocabulary that your reader will understand.
• 4. Include contact info. Make sure the sponsor knows
how to reach you by mail,
email, and phone. Even if you’ve included this
information elsewhere in a
project application, it’s a good idea to include it in the
concept paper so the
sponsor won’t have to hunt for it.
• 5. Proofread your final draft.