Grant writing is a skill that can be learned and committees select grants with good ideas and good explanations and justifications
Some great ideas fail because of poor explanations or missing details
Sometimes grant writers let their ideas overwhelm their ability to express them - express good ideas clearly and completely
Clarity and precision rules! One day to discuss an average of 25 applications plus other business means reviewers have less than 15 minutes to spend on each application
Projects must be described logically and methods proposed must be likely to yield the desired outcomes

We exist to serve the bleeding disorders community
We interpret this mission as an obligation to support a mix of clinical research programs and projects proposed by various patient organizations

To write a complete and flawless document in the Foundation application format
To assure that the application can be discussed clearly and completely in a few minutes by a group of people with very different backgrounds
- Two physicians lead on the clinical aspects of proposals
- Nurses, social workers, parents, patients and organization members lead on non-clinical proposals
To convince Council members to part with a variably large portion of the Foundation's precious funds

Put things in context for reviewers - establish the "why"
Assume Council members don't know all the facts
Keep your budget streamlined and clear
Be creative while using proven ideas, but don't reinvent the wheel
Focus on feasibility and accountability; think of outcome measures to demonstrate success
Share your project and your success, so the broader community can benefit from your efforts (and the Foundation's support)
Your job is to explain why your idea is particularly good for your constituents - this may not be apparent to some Council members, who come from other geographic areas and disciplines
Council members intend to "invest" the Foundation's money wisely, with the payoff being better care for patients; which application promises to yield "the best"

Are already ongoing
Are already the responsibility of the applicants
Are principally to support salary for existing staff
Are principally to support new personnel performing work within the normal scope of the HTC
Are principally to support travel for collaborators from different sites to meet as a group
Are merely "reinventing the wheel"
Won't continue after the Foundation's grant ends
Are not clearly and concisely written
Might generate perceptions of conflict of interest
Raise any question of whether it is ethical or not

For proposals to develop educational videos, DVDs, etc, submit sample of previous work to show track record of success
If vendors are used, or if multiple sites will collaborate, provide letters showing their commitment
If the project is to initiate a new program intended to continue, show how it will be funded after grant period ends

The Foundation has limited funding so we are keen to fund projects that can be shared with other groups
Are there elements of your project that are able to be generalized, and suitable for sharing with other sites?
Can you demonstrate this in advance?
If so, tell us clearly in your application HOW you will disseminate what you have accomplished, published, provided, demonstrated, or established

We expect you to be reasonably thrifty, but not foolishly thrifty
An application will not be given extra credit for thriftiness
A great application may be denied if budget "padded"
Ask only for things you are certain you will accomplish
Show us where you have saved by discussing efforts to lower costs, improving efficiency in use of funds
Put in as much detail as you can
Where you have to estimate your ultimate costs, consider discussing your assumptions
10% overhead is permitted, however equipment purchases are discouraged

Letters from collaborators are crucial; failure to provide them could lead to rejection of proposal
Letters from people not involved in the project are less interesting and carry less weight
Submit letters that demonstrate your organization has successfully accomplished projects in the past

These references to publications are essential in a scientific grant application
Such references are often overlooked in community-based applications
Often, you can find articles dealing with situations similar to your own
It always looks better if you demonstrate how you looked for existing information, so don't be timid about citing reference material

Please phone if you have any questions at any time - toll-free 1-866-963-2566 or
Molly Hess Knodel, Program Manager (610) 878-4682.