What Do Reviewers Look for in a Grant Proposal?

Grant applicants fear reviewers because they make or break a grant application. They make grant applicants realize if their efforts are anything but a waste of time or a necessity. Each time grant applicants start writing a grant proposal, they must ask themselves: How do reviewers measure the need of a project for funding assistance? What do they look for in a grant proposal? Here, we provide you the answers:

Content

• Is it worth reading? If it only tires the eyes of the reviewers, they will surely recommend the disapproval of your grant proposal.
• Does it make sense? You must be discussing your project on your proposal logically.
• Are the thoughts consistent or organized? Be careful with the ideas you are trying to present in your proposal. Each idea must complement one another, from beginning to end of the proposal.
• Does it provide a direct response to the requirements of the foundation? Be mindful of the requirements being asked for by the foundation. Make sure that you have addressed everything it needs. The reviewers will surely check this.
• Are the objectives clear? Your objectives must be the only objectives you mentioned in the abstract, project narrative, evaluation plan, and even the budget plan.
• Will the programs and activities benefit many? Make sure that your project will provide impacts to a maximum number of people—not only to a few individuals or families.
• Does it include a project timeline? The reviewers must know when do you plan to start your project and when do you expect to accomplish each project task involved.
• Does the program exhibit sustainability? Even after funding period, the reviewers must know your plans for the continuation of your program. They have to determine if the funding assistance that the foundation will provide is enough not only to implement the programs, but also to sustain the programs of the organization.
• Are the arguments supported with facts? To fully justify the significance and the need for funding, the reviewers will look for facts that will make them believe the contentions of the grant applicant.

Format

• Does it strictly conform to the format required by the foundation or institution?

Key Persons

• Do they have the skills and experience to perform the project? Reviewers will surely check on the educational background and work experiences of the key project personnel. They have to know if these key persons have the capacity to work on the project.
• Do they have the time to handle such a project? Yes, they have the skills and experience to do the project. In fact, they are fully qualified. But, do they have the time to involve themselves in the program. The grant proposal must indicate the amount of time these key persons are willing to invest all throughout the duration of the project.

Budget

• Are the costs itemized?
• Does it include unnecessary items?
• Are the items high-priced?
• Are the costs of items justified?
• Is it (cost per item) too much or too little?

Evaluation Plan

 
• Is it measurable?
• Are the methods to gather data complete?
• Does it have expected outcomes?
• Is it achievable?
• Does it clearly indicate the names of the people responsible for each program or activity?
• Does it clearly indicate the project impact?
• Does it relate to the objectives of the project?

These are only some of the questions that may be asked by reviewers as they look into your grant proposal. Remember, these grant reviewers will read over a hundred (or even a thousand) grant applications; they will not continue reading a proposal if its first five sentences or if its abstract does not make sense. For this reason, you must make sure that your abstract is enough to define the purpose of your project and indicate your plan for implementation; thereby, capturing the interest of the reviewers.