How can you review a grant proposal like a pro? (2024)

Before you dive into the proposal, make sure you read the funder's guidelines carefully and understand what they are looking for. Pay attention to the eligibility criteria, the objectives, the budget, the timeline, the format, and the submission process. Note any specific questions, instructions, or expectations that the funder has for the reviewers. This will help you focus your review on the most relevant and important aspects of the proposal.

The problem statement is the core of the proposal, as it defines the need, the gap, or the challenge that the project aims to address. A good problem statement should be clear, concise, specific, and supported by evidence. As a reviewer, you should assess whether the problem statement is well-defined, relevant, realistic, and aligned with the funder's mission and priorities. You should also check whether the problem statement is consistent with the rest of the proposal, such as the goals, objectives, and methods.

The goals and objectives of the proposal should be derived from the problem statement and provide a clear direction for the project. The goals are the broad and long-term outcomes that the project hopes to achieve, while the objectives are the specific and measurable steps that the project will take to reach the goals. As a reviewer, you should evaluate whether the goals and objectives are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. You should also check whether they are realistic, feasible, and appropriate for the scope and scale of the project.

The methods and activities of the proposal should describe how the project will implement the objectives and achieve the goals. They should include a detailed description of the tasks, roles, responsibilities, resources, and timelines involved in the project. As a reviewer, you should examine whether the methods and activities are clear, logical, coherent, and comprehensive. You should also check whether they are suitable, effective, and innovative for the problem statement and the target population.

The budget and justification of the proposal should provide a realistic and accurate estimate of the costs and revenues of the project. They should include a breakdown of the expenses and income by category, such as personnel, equipment, travel, materials, and overhead. They should also explain why each item is necessary, reasonable, and allowable for the project. As a reviewer, you should verify whether the budget and justification are complete, consistent, transparent, and aligned with the funder's guidelines and the project's goals and objectives.

After you have reviewed all the components of the proposal, you should provide constructive feedback to the applicant. Your feedback should be respectful, objective, specific, and actionable. You should highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal, as well as the areas for improvement and clarification. You should also provide suggestions, recommendations, or examples to help the applicant improve their proposal. Your feedback should be based on the funder's criteria, the proposal's merit, and your expertise.

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Grant Administration

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