Lesson 4: The project

Grant writing tips

A. How you choose to make improvements in your practice is your project. Your project will be the set of actions and activities you plan to carry out that will ultimately benefit students. For ESP’s, the activities will be centered around your professional development.

In both cases, the way in which you describe YOUR PROJECT can make or break your application. As you describe the who, what, when and how, you will want to create a vision in the mind of the reader. This can be accomplished by clearly stating how your intended outcome and objective relate directly to your needs statement. Be sure that your intended outcome is realistic and can be accomplished within the timeframe. While outcomes are statements of intent, they are not necessarily measurable. Objectives, on the other hand, are measurable and attainable within a specific timeframe. You should plan to reflect on your objectives frequently throughout your project to get an indication of your progress toward accomplishing your outcome. (Keeping a journal on these reflections and observations will be helpful when the time comes to write your final report.)

Activities should not be confused with objectives. The objectives will determine the activities you choose to do.

B. What you want to change will determine your activities and the "stuff" you will need. To get started on your specific requests, keep in mind that you should begin by deciding what your project will attempt to change. Then ask yourself and your team the following:

Who are the people you want to affect the most?
What type of change do you desire?
How will you recognize success?
What will you look for?
What is your timeframe?
How long will it take to accomplish?

Sample A: Intended Outcome/ObjectiveActivities
Classroom Grant Application
Outcome (or Goal): To empower students with skills to make positive, proactive choices to stop bullying behavior.
Objectives:

Identify the skills they feel they need to learn.
Learn skills for identifying bullying and harassing situations.
Determine effective strategies.

Activities:

Role play the strategies.
Teach peers the learned skills.
Record and report successful use of the skills learned.
Cooperatively create an art piece symbolic of their learning.

Sample B: Intended Outcome/Objective/Activities
Professional Development Grant Application (for ESPs)
Outcome (or Goal): Improve day-to-day relationships with autistic child.
Objective: Acquire skills needed to work with/recognize various autistic behaviors.
Activity: Attend class/seminar that teaches/explores topics and offers useful strategies.