Why your grant application failed

A grant application is a big undertaking, and it’s one where your chances of success should be carefully weighed up against the possibility of failure. We all think that our idea or our project should be supported, but yet with some funders, success rates can be as low as the single figures - something that can be off-putting for any organisation wishing to invest its time in grants. That said, if you can learn what not to do before you get started, and you can understand more about the reasons why your grant application might fail that you can’t control, you automatically both manage your own expectations, and increase your chances of success.

10 reasons why your grant application failed

In this blog, we consider ten of the primary reasons why grant applications fail. It is by no means exhaustive, and there are plenty of reasons why you might be unsuccessful, but instead it is intended to be a guide of common pitfalls in the application process.

1. You didn’t read the question properly

We’ve all fallen foul of this at one time or another whether it be in school tests or exams, when filling in forms, or in our professional lives. But in grants this is crucial. You need to not only read the question, but read the guidance that comes with it, to ensure that you answer it in a way that the funder expects, and with the required level of detail. Failure to do so results in basically a shot in the dark.

2. You didn’t write enough

No grant writer will advocate for, and no funder wants to receive, waffle. Writing a lot just for the sake of it, with no real substance, serves no purpose. However, if the word limit for a question is 500 words, and you only write a couple of sentences, you will have sold yourself short by not providing the level of detail that they are looking for. Word limits can be taken as a guide for how much you should be aiming to write for a given question.

3. You were inconsistent

Your proposal needs a ‘golden thread’ that ties everything together, and a key part of this is consistency in what you write. For example, if in the impact narrative that you will reach 1000 beneficiaries, make sure that that figure runs throughout everything else, such as your costings and your project plan. If you state 1000 on one page and only 500 on another, the inconsistency demonstrates a lack of attention to detail and potentially damages your reader’s chances of buying in to your proposal.

4. Your calculations were wrong

This point might seem a simple one but it’s so important. In the same way as inconsistencies demonstrate a lack of attention to detail as explained in point 3, incorrect calculations also foster doubt and prompt questions into your credibility. So if your proposal requires any sort of calculations, check, check and then check them again before you submit.

5. Your writing style doesn’t fit

This is definitely a grey area, and one to consider before you put pen to paper (or start typing!). On the one hand, it is so important that you write your grant applications in a language and tone that works for your organisation and fits your brand, ethos and values. The reason being, because this is what creates trust, empathy and inspires your reader to join you on your journey. But - and this is a big BUT - writing in a way that works for the funder is equally as important, because failure to engage them is a quick route to rejection. So don’t just think about what they are asking you - think about why they are asking it, and respond to that. Study their language and tone of voice and moderate how you write to match. And finally, remember - every funder is different. There is no one-size-fits-all, and what triggers rejection or failure with one, may receive a gold star from another.

6. You’re ineligible

Even if you’ve written the most detailed, insightful, supportable proposal, you won’t get funded if you don’t meet the eligibility criteria. This isn’t just about your project itself, which must align with the funder’s priorities, but it’s also about your organisation. Some funders, for example, require a minimum number of staff or level of revenue/income. Others impose restrictions based on geography or organisation type. So don’t get carried away if you find a funder who looks like a good fit for you based solely on subject matter. Make sure you read the fine print and the application guidance in detail before you get started.

7. You assume people know what you’re talking about

Many funders, especially those who operate within a specific industry or area of interest, will be very well versed in the intricacies, language and background of their subject matter, but never assume that. If you fill your application with specialised references or acronyms, and don’t explain them, you immediately risk losing your reader. So make sure whatever you write is clear, well explained and accessible to whoever will assess your proposal. Your job is to take the funder on a journey with you, but they can only join if they understand where they’re going.

8. You rushed

In terms of reasons why your grant application failed, this is a big one - and one that causes some of the other issues we’ve already discussed in this blog. Grant applications take time to do well, and if you didn’t dedicate enough time to yours, it will show. The weaknesses a rushed application takes will present themselves as red flags to the assessors, which is never something we want to risk. I totally understand the commercial pressures of securing funding, but sometimes it is smart to delay until the following application round if that extra time can increase your chance of success.

9. You don’t hit the criteria strongly enough

Funding, regardless of whether you’re applying to a charitable trust or foundation, or for innovation or R&D funding from the Government, is difficult to come by. The process can be highly competitive, and grants are hard-won. Yours might be the most wonderful charity, creating the biggest impact for your beneficiaries, or a start-up developing what you believe to be the next big thing, but if you don’t demonstrate that to the assessors, you have lost them. For example, if you’re asked to talk about the challenges relating to your project, don’t stop at a list of challenges. Explain why each of those challenges is challenging. It’s vital to not just address the funder’s criteria, but to demonstrate why your project addresses them more strongly than anyone else.

10. You can’t control the competition

In this list of ten reasons why your grant application failed, the first nine are things that you can control, either by addressing them within your approach to your next proposal, or by knowing which grant opportunities to avoid. But this last one is different. This last one is completely out of your control. Put simply, you can’t control your competition. So as an applicant, your job is to put forward what you have in the strongest possible way, and then hope that what you have performs well compared to the rest. There is no such thing as a perfect grant application - that’s for certain - and sometimes, we don’t quite make it, despite doing our absolute best with what we have.

Next time round…

This list of 10 reasons why your last grant application failed isn’t intended to put you off another attempt. It’s intended to guide you as you prepare your thoughts and your organisation to go again. Remember - failure is not a reason to retreat or give up. It’s a huge opportunity to learn.