Education is a dynamic enterprise. New ideas, solutions to new and old problems continually emerge, and very often, unexpected problems and needs occur without warning. Too often the resources to address new concerns, issues, and problems are not available. When this happens, advice, most likely unsolicited, is “Why don’t you get a grant?” Unintended, but certainly implied, is all you have to do is complete an application and wait for the money. It is possible of course, but not likely. There is intense competition for grant money. This course will provide an edge in the competition for “limited” funds available from potential grantors. This course is designed for those who have little or no experience in grantsmanship. However, anyone working as a grantsperson in the field of education will discover many useful ideas presented during the course.

• Identify current and persistent problems in the field of education.
• Define and identify needs, and articulate concerns, issues, needs, and problems into “problem statement(s).”
• Use in program planning the technical skill to complete a “continuity matrix,” “modified flowchart,” and a “GNATT chart.”
• Critique, using specific criteria, problem statement(s).
• Compose meaningful and measurable objectives for a problem statement.
• Develop a strategy, method, and/or a solution approach to a problem statement.
• Design a comprehensive evaluation design and develop an evaluation strategy.
• Identify ways to gather data and information and to also demonstrate effective ways to present data.
• Prepare a budget.
• Review grant criteria and identify funding sources.
• Compose an introduction, proposal abstract, and cover letter.
• Complete a proposal.

This course is primarily a one-on-one tutorial. Participants working with the instructor will prepare each part of a grant proposal and assimilate into their proposal seven ideas to gain an edge in grant competition. Participants will complete a formal grant proposal and identify the most likely funding source. This is a sixty-hour, three credit online graduate level course completed over a thirteen-week period.

The required text for this course is Getting an Edge in Grantsmanship: Seven Ideas that Work by R. Hayman Kite, Ed.D. The textbook and course materials will be provided for all students. A variety of readings will be referenced throughout the course. Other supplemental readings will be provided.

1. Personal Introduction
2. Define “problem”
3. Review and define the parts of most grant applications:
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Problem statement
• Objectives
• Plan-of action/method/program/proposal
• Evaluation
• Future
• Necessary funding
• Budget
• Cover letter

1. Continuity matrix
2. GNATT chart
3. Modified flowchart
4. Compose a “problem statement”

1. To develop criteria for assessing the problem statement
2. Use the criteria to critique a problem statement
3. Edit problem statement

1. Define “criteria,” “verb,” and “conditions” in a proposal objective
2. Compose objectives that reflect the problem statement in numerical terms
3. Maintain proposal continuity – connect problem statement with objectives
4. Review logical structure
5. Separate means from ends

1. Define “solution approach,” “method,” “program,” and “proposal”
2. Use data and information compiled on “program planning tools” to compose a solution approach to the problem statement
3. Revise the GNATT chart
4. Use a syllogism format to compose the narrative description of the solution approach
5. Describe a reasonable scope of task, events, and activities

1. Planning evaluation
2. Formative…implementation…progress evaluation
3. Avoid assessing a “non-event”
4. Summative evaluation
5. Comprehensive evaluation design
6. Complete: Schedule Control Chart and Variance Chart

1. Organizing evaluation design information and data
2. Sources of data and information
3. Issues of clearance
4. Gathering/collecting information and data
5. Using graphics to display information and data
6. Connect proposal objectives with summative evaluation results

1. Develop estimate of cost
2. Budget format
3. Budget summary
4. Budget detail
5. Fringe benefits
6. Personnel
7. Budget checklist

1. Score sheet – neglected scoring items
2. Quality of key personnel
3. Simulate grant scoring
4. Compose and assess cover letter(s)
5. Identify potential funding source(s)

1. Write an introduction for a proposal
2. Write an abstract for a proposal
3. Submit a completed proposal (The completed proposal will be assessed by the instructor and returned with corrective feedback.)
4. A second submission will be evaluated to determine student grade