Grant writing: What not to do
Earlier this week, I met with a company who were preparing to take their very first steps into the world of grant writing. It was an exploratory chat about direction, potential funders and different structures they could choose for their application. We also talked about different approaches to writing. A key question that they put to me though is the inspiration for this blog. It wasn’t about what makes a good application, but quite the opposite. Instead, they wanted to know about common pitfalls. The ‘What not to do’ for grant writing
Grant writing red flags
In this blog, we explore the top five red flags for grant writing. We acknowledge that every funder is different, and what works for one funder may be a turn-off for another, and so while this list is not intended to be taken as exhaustive, it is intended to be a clear guide on what not to do in grant writing.
Don’t fill your application with jargon
Unless you are sure that the assessors will know the ins and outs of your industry, don’t assume that they will understand jargon or acronyms. Instead, make sure that you provide crystal clear, accessible applications;. The last thing you want for any grant assessor is for them to not understand what you’re talking about, or for them to note any unnecessary or easily avoided questions or concerns.
Don’t leave out the evidence
It’s great that you have a story to tell. That you have a mission and goals. That’s absolutely the right place to start. But the thing you must never forget in your grant application is to prove the statements and assumptions that you make. If you’re talking about a challenge you face - don’t just state the challenge. Explain why it’s challenging. Likewise, don’t just say that you have interest from potential customers. Explain who they are and what specific feedback they have given you.
Don’t cut corners
Most grant applications will have a word limit for each question. While these word limits shouldn’t be considered to be a target that must be achieved, they are there for a reason. If you don’t write enough material in each answer, and are too concise in your responses, you run the risk that you will fail to get your message across strongly enough.
Don’t assume you know what the question is asking
A question might seem straightforward, and in some cases where there really is only one answer - like your contact details - that should hopefully be true. But when the question is open - like why your project or innovation is needed - don’t assume that the intention behind the question is exactly what it says on the tin. Instead, read any question-specific guidance closely, and make sure your answer covers the required content and level of detail.
Don’t just copy and paste
I get it. You wrote that other application and it was well received and (fingers crossed!) successful. Well done! But do not take this as a sign that you can rest on your laurels. Never take previous success as a guarantee that your next application will go the same way. And don’t copy and past from one application to another without careful editing to make sure that the funder’s needs of your new application are being met.
What if…
All of these ‘What not to do’ points may seem obvious in the context of this blog, but when you’ve read through your application for the tenth time, it can be hard to see the wood for the trees. So how do you know if you have inadvertently ventured down some unknown rabbit hole? How do you know if you’ve committed some sort of grant-related faux pas, without even realising it?
The simple answer is to check, check, and check again:
Check that you’ve addressed every aspect of the grant scope, costed your request in the right way, and covered all of the points in the funder’s guidance
Have another member of your team check your application - ideally someone who has not had sight of it previously
Check with an external person. Many funders provide a mechanism where applicants can raise questions and others even have designated people who provide guidance on applications.
Some professional grant writers, including myself, also provide a review service where they can consider your application with fresh eyes, prior to submission.
Hopefully you will find this blog helpful as you commence your grants journey. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss how I can support your next grant application, please get in touch via the contact form on this website.