Should I pursue this grant?

• Identified a suitable grant opportunity.
• Thought carefully about the "fit" between the grant requirements and what you want the grant to do for you
• Met with colleagues who might be willing to collaborate on developing the proposal
• Considered who could run the grant project if it is funded

Now you must decide:Should I actually do this proposal or not?

    The development of grant proposals and the management of funded projects should not be undertaken lightly. Considerable effort, commitment, and professional responsibility will be required of you throughout the process.

    On the other hand, the rewards from getting your proposal funded are equally great. These include exciting new opportunities for your students and for your own professional development, as well as enhanced resources for your college and the University.

    So, how should you decide whether or not to continue? Here are some guidelines to help you balance the risks with the rewards:

 Will this project benefit my students?
     Your grant-funded project should enhance teaching and learning in your subject area, department, and college. Can you describe these enhancements clearly? Do they fit into the academic and administrative planning of your department and college? Discussing these factors with colleagues, your dean, and others will help you here.

 Have you discussed the necessary matching funds requirements with your department head or dean?
     As a rule, the guidelines for your proposal will call for matching funds from the University. These will be in the form of cash dollars, or else they will be a commitment of equipment, services, and other resources whose market value translates into the required match by the granting agency. When you submit a grant proposal, you are involving your college in a financial commitment. Be sure you have cleared this with your administrators before continuing with your proposal.

 Are you and your colleagues ready to run the grant if your proposal is funded?
     Have you budgeted for extra clerical assistance if needed? Have you budgeted to pay for replacements if you and your colleagues need release time to carry out the grant? Do you have the expertise and support required for carrying out your proposal? Think carefully about these key issues before continuing on.

 Will your proposal affect other programs or departments if it is funded?
     Will your proposal increase the workload for others. For instance, are you proposing to change how you teach your courses? If so, will this result in additional remedial or prerequisite requirements for your students that could affect enrollments elsewhere? Consider how your grant-funded project impacts the web of academic planning. Even small changes in academic programming can sometimes generate far-reaching effects.

    If you feel you have planned and prepared for these issues, then you are probably ready to go forward with developing your proposal. You will need to Submit a Notice of Intent to Apply form to your college dean or unit director, and to the Grants Office and the Grants Accounting Office. For the form and instructions, click here.