This document provides guidance on writing a successful grant proposal. It outlines the key components of a grant proposal, including the project summary, description of need, objectives, activities, timeline, budget, and evaluation plan. It emphasizes tailoring the proposal to the specific requirements and guidelines of the funding agency. Tips are provided such as clearly articulating the need, having measurable objectives, checking for errors, and getting others to proofread the proposal. The overall message is that with proper preparation anyone can write an effective grant proposal.

1. NMLSTA Session Win
Big! Write a Grant!
NSTA San Antonio, 2013
Patty McGinnis, NBCT
NSTA Middle Level Division Director
Arcola Intermediate School, Eagleville, PA
pmcginnis@methacton.org
Dr. Kitchka Petrova, NBCT
Ponce De Leon Middle School, Coral Gables, FL
kpetrova7@dadeschools.net

2. Grant Presentation
Available at:
Slideshare.net

3. Objectives of the Workshop
 Become familiar with the main components of a grant
proposal
 Learn to evaluate the requirements of the funding agency
and tailor your grant idea to them
 Become familiar with the funding opportunities at the
federal, state, and non government sectors

4. Why Write?
 To be able to make
major equipment
purchases
 To start a new program
or a project
 To receive funds to
support professional
development
(coursework and
educational travel)

5. Who Gets Grants?
Anyone can! As long as
you Apply!
Consider this…
 Many grant programs
do not have enough
qualified proposals
 If you don’t apply, you’ll
never win!
 A grant may be just the
thing to re-energize
your teaching!
 The more you write the
easier it gets

6. You’re Already an Expert
 Grant writing is similar
to writing a lesson plan
 Don’t get overwhelmed
by the process
 Take it one step at a
time
 Have someone assist
you with writing
 Give yourself plenty of
time

7. Major Grant Components
 Project Summary or Abstract
 Description of Need and Target Population
 Potential Impact
 Objective (s)
 Activities/Methods
 Timeline
 Budget and Justification
 Evaluation

8. Project Summary or Abstract
 Write this section last
 Clear, concise summary of your proposal
 Avoid education terms/jargon
 Include objectives, perceived need, target
population, brief overview of activities, and evaluation
techniques
 Discuss partnerships and collaborations
 Sell your idea!

9. Description of Need
 What is the problem
that exists in the
community?
 Explain the need
 How will your
proposal address this
need?
 How will students and
community benefit?

10. Target Population
Describe:
 Student Age
 Number of students
 Socio-economic
background
 Special needs
(gifted, SPEC ED)
 Other staff who will
benefit

11. Objectives/Methods
 What are the goals or learning objectives of your grant
proposal?
 Limit your goals (less is more)
 Keep goals attainable, measurable, and age appropriate
 Show that you know what you are doing---be descriptive!
 Mention any other professionals’ and organizations’
contributions to the success of your project

12. Timeline
 Show major events:
 Trainings,
 Purchases
 Pre/post tests, etc.
 Relate each activity
to an approximate
date

13. Budget
 Follow the directions and required
format
 Prepare a detailed budget for your
project
 Provide justification of the expenses
 Mention any resources available in
the school that can be used for the
project
 Include any in-kind contributions
 Review the grant foundations
restrictions on expenses to ensure
that you are within their budget

14. Evaluation Plan
 What qualitative and
quantitative data will show
objectives have been met?
 How will you measure you
success?
 Consider
 Pre/Post Tests
 Journals
 Interviews
 Questionnaires
 Community Involvement

15. Other Components
 Project sustainability/dissemination plan
 Project staff resume/vitae
 Endorsement from school district (letter from
administration)
 Letters of support from outside organizations
involved in project
 Proof of Tax Exempt status

16. Dissemination Plan
• What is your plan for
disseminating to other
teachers? Consider…
• Post to NSTA forums
• Write an article for a
science teacher journal
• Press Release
• Presentation to School
Board or Science
Department

17. Project Staff Vitae
 Convince funder of your ability
to follow through on proposal
 Include
 Education
 Teaching experience
 Publications
 Past involvements with innovative
teaching programs, other funded
grant proposals and anything
relevant to the proposed project

18. Letters of Support
 Partners such as
community organizations
or universities
 Principal or Headmaster
 Strong letter of support
 Conveys enthusiasm for
project
 Expresses how students and
school will benefit

19. Evaluating the Requirements
of the Funding Agency
 Read carefully what type of projects the agency is willing to fund. Find a
way to connect your idea to their requirements
 Evaluate their requirements about ideas, budget, and types of students
they would like to see involved in the project
 Talk to the grant manager
 Check the web site to see projects that were funded previous years.
Make sure your idea is not a copy

20. Federal Grant Resources
 U.S. Department of
Education Grant
Information
 Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance
(CFDA)
 Federal Register and
Federal Forecast
 Grants.gov

21. Corporate Grants Corporate Grants for
Teachers:
 Best Buy
 Nike
 ING Unsung Heroes
 Scholastic
 American Express
 Intel
 Target
 Lowes
 Trustmark
 BP America
 Olympus
 Starbucks
 P. Buckley Moss Foundation
 International Technology Education Association
 National Geographic Association

22. Grants for Teachers
 Best Buy awards up to $2,500
to schools for successful
interactive programs using
technology
 Target Field Trip Grants award
up to $1,000 for field trips
 The NEA Foundation
 Nasco Get a Grant Searchable
Site

23. Grants for Science Teachers
 Captain Planet Foundation for environmental projects
 Verizon Foundation Grants – Innovative technology based projects. Up to
$10,000. Deadline October
 Air Force Association Educator Grants – up to $250 for a project on
aerospace education activities
 Toshiba American Foundation Grants Program for 6-12 Science & Math
Education Grants of $5,000 or less are made on rolling basis and applications
are accepted throughout the year
 Grants larger than $5,000 – two deadlines –February 1st and August 1st.
Large grants are awarded in March and September
 Grants for K-5 up to $1,000. Applications must be received by October 1st

24. Other Places
 State Department of Education
 grants4teachers
 The Foundation Center
 Local Businesses and Community Organizations
 Corporations, foundations and other organizations
 NSTA Reports (and other professional organizations)
 Network! Meetings, conferences and professional development events are places
where you can gain information about grant opportunities

25. Tips and Suggestions
 Did you clearly articulate the
need and target population?
 Are your goals realistic?
 Are your objectives
measurable?
 Is all of your requested
equipment integral to the
proposal?

26. More Tips!
 Did you double check the grant
directions and include all
required components?
 Were you concise and to the
point?
 Did you spell out acronyms?
 Did you check for
spelling/grammatical errors?
 Did someone proofread your
grant? Does your vision come
clearly across to someone
outside of the science
classroom?

28. Brought to you by
NMLSTA
nmlsta.org