Writing Successful Grants KnowledgeBase

This KnowledgeBase archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.

The Writing Successful Grants KnowledgeBase is an online resource aiding education professionals in their pursuit of public and private grants to support local programs. Its five elements contain information and resources that assist the grant seeker with developing their project, writing the grant proposal and managing the grant upon its award.

Task 2: Orient the Project Team

Guideline: At its first meeting the project team should have an orientation session reviewing its purpose, role, and task. In designing the program the grant seeker should include an overview of the team's charter, the anticipated time line for completing its work, and team dynamics. Presenting the orientation program should be the role of the designated lead project person. In doing so the project lead might concentrate on the project specifics and utilize a person experienced with group dynamics to focus on the interpersonal interactions among team members. The length of the session of can be mitigated by providing background material to team members to review in advance. Orienting the project team gives its focus and direction, two conditions necessary for a successful team effort.

Resources

Tools

Creative Thinking Tools - The Six Thinking Hats

Individual group members often have divergent viewpoints. Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats is a system fostering collaboration, increased productivity, creativity, and innovation. The concept enables participants in a discussion to move from the traditional argumentative approach to a collaborative process and fosters a more productive dialog. The document provides an overview of the tool and additional resources about it.

Fist to Five Consensus Activity

The Fist to Five consensus activity is a tool groups can use to reach consensus when making decisions. This link is to a set of instructions for using this tool.

Guidelines

Guidelines for Productive Meetings

This guide from the Team Handbook might assist team members with having productive meetings.

Practical Tips

Meetings 101

This tip sheet from EffectiveMeetings.com offers a basic primer on how to conduct effective meetings.

References

Developing and Writing Grant Proposals

This link to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance website provides information about writing a federal grant proposal. Though oriented towards federal grants, the general content may be useful grant writing orientation information for a grant seeker's project team.

Office of Research Integrity

This link is to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Research Integrity. Though intended for scientific research grant seekers may find the misconduct resources useful to assure integrity in writing their grant proposals and executing awarded grants.

Team Stages

Groups have a life-cycle of their own. When a team is formed it goes through a predictable maturation process in order to become an effective unit. This document offers guidance on the stages a team goes through as it members adjust to working together.