How to Write a Proposal for a Mini Technology Grant

Mini-grant proposals for technology can be tricky to write.

While mini-grants are often easier to obtain than typical grants because there is less money involved, proposals can be just as tricky to write. And proposal reviewers can be just as picky about the information they want to see in the proposals. Mini-grant proposals for technology should be written with careful detail about the technologies to be funded. They're often enhanced with institutional partnerships in place like museums, colleges or universities that might support effort with in-kind services, materials, or access to resources.

Things You'll Need

• Colored highlighter pen
• Microsoft Word

Instructions

1. Review the proposal guidelines for the mini-grant carefully. Each funding source will have its own guidelines, specific to the proposed technology project. Highlight with a colored highlighter pen, or use the highlighting feature in Word to help remember areas that need to be included, like "Prior Projects" and "Program Contacts."

2. Review the application carefully, if there is one. Often applications will suffice for proposals, or they can accompany a proposal. Look specifically for information to be included, such as contact information, budgets, program descriptions, materials used and changes implemented. Highlight these areas too.

3. Gather up all the information you'll need, much of it noted in the guidelines and the application, such as partnership history, contacts for other people involved such as consultants and specialists, lists of purchases required with pricing information, any receipts for purchases made, catalogs, past similar project success, a mission statement, and any other required information named in the guidelines and the application.

4. List all of the technologies needed to be purchased for your project, and do not leave anything out. Think about network connections, plug-ins, firewalls, equipment and software upgrades. Research their prices, and be as competitive as possible -- strive for the median price when possible. Be clear and detailed about why each is needed in the proposal.

5. Write a draft that includes all necessary information, beginning with the project narrative and including all aspects of the project, including mission statement, program impact, implementation details, budgets and time lines.

6. Review the final submissions checklist, usually included with application guidelines. If not included, review your highlighted information from the guidelines to be sure everything was included and in proper form. Give your draft a final rewrite, and submit all information according to the guidelines, which could be online or mailed.

Tips & Warnings

• 1. It is always a good idea to conduct an Internet search for prior technology projects funded by the grant source. Often this information is published on their website, with entire proposals. This information will prove helpful in both content and format in writing your own mini-grant proposal.

• 2. Highlight areas on the application that might need further research to be sure you get back to them. Applications can be denied for seemingly small reasons, such as leaving information out.

• 3. If the mini-grant proposal or application (or both) are to be submitted online, always write the information out in Word first to be transferred in later--this will cover you on any technical or connectivity glitches that might occur in the process. It will also allow you time to gather thoughts and revise as needed before submitting that winning proposal in final form.

References

• LACounty.gov: Mini-Grant Application Form (Los Angeles County)
• ERIC.ed.gov: How to Write a Mini-Grant Proposal
• InfantHearing.org: A Mini-Grant Proposal Template

Resources

• Tips on Grants and Grant Writing, from Teacher Tap