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…

Physical educators often find it difficult to secure funding for their programs in these tough economic times. However, there is funding out there, if one knows where to look and how to ask for it. This article describes how physical education teachers can make a funding action plan, who to contact, where to write to, and how to get equipment for…

"We want a grant for 20 computers." This was the author's directive from district administrators nearly 25 years ago. As a district grants specialist, she dutifully wrote the grant for computers so that the schools would be prepared for the 21st century. Back in the late 1980s, the computers themselves were the crux on the federal grant…

Teachers' unions in at least two states are threatening to withhold endorsements of their states' Race to the Top applications, which could jeopardize the states' chances of winning the coveted federal dollars. In a letter printed as an advertisement in the Tallahassee Democrat, Florida Education Association President Andy J. Ford discouraged…

This article addresses two aspects to securing funds through grant writing: (1) how to apply for grants; and (2) where to apply. Grant writing is not as difficult as many people believe. Although there are courses on grant writing, very few people start their career with the goal of "becoming a grant writer." In this article, the author presents…

This booklet is a step-by-step guide to developing a grant application for educational project funding. Following a brief review of grant terminology, the booklet discusses sources of funding and the development of federal legislation. A discussion of the actual grant proposal includes such topics as writing the abstract and objectives, the time…

The Proposal Evaluation Criteria section in a request for proposal (RFP) or grant announcement suggests the information which should be supplied to the funding agency: (1) demonstration of understanding of the program; (2) proposed approach, (3) adequate management; (4) personnel qualifications; and (5) the organization's previous experience. (GDC)

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides several funding opportunities that can assist states in designing, developing, and implementing statewide education longitudinal data systems. These new and enhanced information systems will enable states to track student progress within and across the secondary and postsecondary education…

The purpose of the adult education program in Louisiana is to provide for the initiation, maintenance, and expansion of instructional offerings for adults. A minimum of 10 percent of the annual federal allocation is to be used to fund special experimental demonstration projects and teacher-training grants. This monograph provides detailed…

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

Points to the availability of federal funds to educationally related institutions and individuals. Describes programs with multiple levels of eligibility and those open only to higher-education institutions. Cites dollar amounts available for various kinds of projects and compares "The Catalog of Federal Assistance" and "The Guide to Federal…

This step-by-step primer helps teachers develop effective grantseeking methods that will enable them to secure funds. It shows teachers how to select the right funding sources, organize proposal ideas, write a convincing and well-prepared proposal, identify who will evaluate the proposal and the scoring system they will use, and efficiently…

There are many different agencies and organizations which provide funding for those involved in research, community development, education, the provision of health and social services, and other activities. This publication is designed to serve as an introduction for counselors to sources of grant funding and particular grant programs, and to the…

The passage of the Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities legislation expands alcohol/drug prevention targets and makes it important that educators and community leaders understand how to seek out and compete for grant dollars to meet legislative mandates. The initial step in seeking grants is understanding which of the two types of sources,…

The workbook for proposal writers treats budget writing as an integral part of the proposal-writing process rather than an afterthought. Working out the budget implications of the proposal as the idea evolves is encouraged. The workbook is designed to assist in developing budgets for federal grant programs. It consists of an introductory section…