In this essay, I reflect on my experiences and lessons learned while serving as Commissioner of the National Center for Special Education Research, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Although I was in the grant writing business for my nearly 30 years as a professor of special education, I learned that I knew very little…

This two-part article looks closely at the mechanics and the art of obtaining grants. The first part details the stages of preapplication, application, and postapplication. The second part explores proposal differentiation, the knowledge base for grant writing, and types of grant writers. (JOW)

Grantsmanship involves more than writing a good proposal. Planning, building, and negotiating administrative support may make the difference in a successful research effort. (Author)

Discusses (from the point of view of the applicant) the personal, formal, and institutional conditions of applying for grants. Relates a personal experience in applying for a grant, and outlines some of the major difficulties. (NH)

Successful grants management depends on understanding types of grants and sources of grant funding, writing multiple proposals, and managing and closing out grant projects. Ensuring renewal necessitates adhering to funder requirements, maintaining positive relations, and reporting effectively. (SK)

Discusses the need for school districts to compete for both public and private grants to fund special programs such as law-related education (LRE). Covers important features of writing effective proposals, especially those addressing LRE, and includes examples which illustrate important points. (GEA)

The old cliche about not reinventing the wheel is especially apropos concerning the grant writing process. It has been my experience that grant writing is equal parts form and substance. The "trick" is to discover a successful formula that can be used repeatedly to secure different grants, while every grant underwriting organization has its own…

Lists and discusses six sources of basic proposal writing skills and five sources of examples of proposals or parts of proposals. (CHC)

Recently, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) revised its standards for annual gifts and campaigns. The purpose was to erase ambiguities, establish tighter definitions for certain types of gifts, and ensure greater clarity about best management practices. In addition, the effort created a reliable database of campaign…

Discusses finding grant money for computer technology for whole language classrooms. Offers advice on writing grants. (SR)

This paper provides first-time grant writers with suggestions on how to approach a private funding source. While intended for rural health care advocates, the remarks are equally applicable for educators and others. The rural crisis has produced many heart-rending stories about medically indigent people, but there is a lack of reliable statistics…

A foundation official offers practical advice for making a grant application more appealing. Pointers are given for the preparatory stage (planning a precise request, setting priorities, selecting proposal writers), making the presentation (precision, punctuality, polish), and preventing awkwardness in style and tone of writing. (MSE)

This paper questions the assumption that junior faculty should write grant proposals and administer grants. It notes some pitfalls related to engaging in grantsmanship as a new faculty member. It then offers suggestions on grant proposal development, including have a positive attitude, manage time carefully, emphasize quality, and consider the…

Presents five recommendations for writing winning proposals as suggested by the credo of "honor thy user," proposal reviewers being the honored users. Considers information provided directly from funding agencies such as the National Institutes for Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). (DDR)

Interviews with faculty on decisions to submit proposals for external funding suggest that activity at the current institution is related to previous experience, and more experience in graduate school may have a strong, positive effect on later activity. (Author/MSE)