Writing a grant proposal for federal funding can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and preparation, it can also be a rewarding experience and provide an opportunity to obtain valuable funding. One important aspect of competitive grant writing is contacting program officers to ensure that your proposal aligns with the funder’s priorities and requirements. Here are five questions to ask program officers before submitting your proposal:
1. “Based on our prospect research, we feel that we are a good fit for your organization’s current priorities. We want to make sure we are still a good fit for your next grant cycle. Here is what we do or are working on…”
It’s important to confirm that your organization is still a good fit for the funder’s priorities and goals. Share your organization’s current work and ask if it aligns with the funder’s objectives for the next grant cycle.
2. “I found your organization while conducting grant research for the organization. I think our organization is an ideal candidate for your current funding priorities. I’m reaching out to clarify if the funder has changed funding priorities or deadlines.”
If you found the funder through research, clarify if their funding priorities or deadlines have changed since you conducted your research. This will help you ensure that your proposal is up-to-date and relevant to the funder’s current priorities.
3. If priorities have changed for any reason, clarify if the funder anticipates the new priorities remaining permanently. Similarly, clarify if the traditional priorities will come back after a certain period.
If the funder’s priorities have changed, ask if they anticipate the new priorities remaining permanent or if the traditional priorities will come back after a certain period. This will help you plan for future grant cycles and align your organization’s work with the funder’s long-term goals.
4. “Are there any webinars or pre-application activities, aside from what is listed in the RFP/Solication, that would help give us an edge?”
Ask program officers if there are any webinars or pre-application materials or activities that could help give your proposal an edge. This not only arms you with resources and tools to refer to when drafting your proposal, but also demonstrates that you are serious about submitting a strong proposal and willing to put in the effort to increase your chances of success.
5. “If we are selected for funding, when could we expect dollars in hand?”
Many funders will list the anticipated notice of award and dispersal of funds directly in the solicitation, but others can be more vague. It’s important to have a clear understanding of the funding timeline if your proposal is selected. Knowing when you can expect funding will help you plan and allocate resources accordingly.
6. Ask clarifying questions on anything that you don’t understand.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask program officers clarifying questions on anything that you don’t understand. There may be sections of the solicitation that are difficult to understand or provide an ambiguous response to what the best practice is for a given scenario. Communicating your questions directly to the program officer can help you gain a clear understanding of how to create the most competitive proposal possible.
Reaching out to program officers before submitting your grant proposal can help ensure that your proposal aligns with the funder’s priorities and requirements. By asking these five questions, you can demonstrate your commitment to submitting a strong proposal and increase your chances of success.
We work with high-growth startups and organizations that support the startup and innovation ecosystem. We build highly specific non-dilutive funding menus, provide proposal preparation services, and measure outcomes of funding through evaluation. Schedule a consult call with us HERE.