In addition to the eight key components that follow, a cover page and table of contents are normally included with the full proposal. A form cover page is usually provided in the case of public funding sources

1.  PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT

Expresses the essence of the proposal in brief, readable form.

• Appears at the beginning of the proposal, but is written last
• Identifies the grant applicant and includes at least one sentence on credibility 
• Provides the project title and purpose 
• Identifies the target population 
• Includes at least one sentence on the problem 
• Can mention relevance and importance of project to field 
• Includes at least one sentence on objectives 
• Includes at least one sentence on methods 
• Includes at least one sentence on evaluation and dissemination plans 
• Includes total cost, funds already obtained and amount requested in this proposal \
• Is brief, clear, and interesting

2.  INTRODUCTION

Describes the applicant agency and its qualifications for funding (credibility). 

• Introduces the applicant
• Describes applicant's purposes and goals 
• Describes applicant's constituents and service area 
• Describes applicant's programs and activities 
• Provides evidence of applicant's accomplishments (e.g. statistics, quotes, endorsements) 
• Supports qualifications in the area of activity in which funds are sought (e.g. training, research) \
• Shows how the project relates to the applicant's mission and priorities 
• Links the project with the funder's interests 
• Leads logically to the problem statement/needs assessment 
• Is as brief as possible, interesting and free of jargon

3. PROBLEM STATEMENT OR NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Describes the existing condition that is the focus of the proposed project. 

• Relates to the purposes and goals of applicant 
• Is of reasonable dimensions--not trying to solve all the problems of the world 
• Is supported by statistical evidence 
• Is supported by statements from authorities 
• Is stated in terms of target population's needs and problems--not the applicant's 
• Is developed with input from the target population and beneficiaries 
• Is not the "lack of a program," unless the program always works 
• Makes no unsupported assumptions 
• Is free of jargon, is interesting to read, is as brief as possible and makes a compelling case

NEEDS ASSESSMENT DOCUMENTATION SOURCES

Cite the following types of information to document need for your projects:

• Literature in the field 
• Research findings 
• Surveys or reports by federal agencies or national professional associations 
• State surveys or reports 
• Local statistics and data 
• Statements from members of the target population and/or experts in the field 
• Opinions of experts found in searches of relevant literature 
• Task force reports or advisory committee recommendations 
• Public comments

4.  PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Describes the outcomes of the grant in measurable terms.

• Articulates no more than two or three goals, although each goal may be matched with several objectives 
• Includes at least one objective for each problem or need committed to in the problem statement 
• Provides logical flow from the preceding problem statement/needs assessment to goals and objectives 
• Heeds the cautionary note that objectives are outcomes, not methods 
• Describes the population that will benefit 
• States the time by which objectives will be accomplished 
• Remembers that objectives are measurable, if at all possible

5.  METHODS

Describes the activities to be conducted to achieve the desired objectives.

• Flows naturally from problems and objectives 
• Clearly describes program activities 
• States reasons for the selection of activities 
• Describes sequence of activities 
• Describes staffing of program 
• Describes target population and participant selection 
• Presents a reasonable scope of activities that can be conducted within the time and resources of the program 
• Answers the questions who, what, where, when, and why.

METHODS OF DISSEMINATION

Consider the following methods when developing a dissemination plan, but be sure to follow the funder's preferences, if articulated:

• Project newsletters 
• Presentations at professional conferences 
• Pamphlets describing the project and its results 
• Manuals on replicating the project 
• Training others to replicate the project 
• Demonstrations of the project 
• Published project materials 
• Press releases on project activities, results, progress 
• Videotapes

6.  EVALUATION

Presents a plan for determining the degree to which objectives are met and methods are followed:

• Presents a plan for evaluating accomplishments of objectives 
• Presents a plan for evaluating and modifying methods over the course of the program 
• Tells who will be doing the evaluation and how they were chosen 
• Clearly states the criteria of success 
• States the information or data that are needed for each evaluation measure 
• Describes how data will be gathered 
• Explains any test instruments or questionnaires to be used 
• Describes the process of data analysis 
• Describes the timeline for the evaluation process 
• Describes any evaluation reports to be produced (content and who will receive them)

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

The evaluation itself should answer the following questions about the project:

• How well did the program achieve its goal?
• Did the project meet its objectives? 
• Were project activities implemented as planned? 
• How effective were the activities in achieving the goal? 
• For which groups/target populations was the project most/least successful? 
• What external factors influenced the project's development and impact? 
• What impact did the project have? 
• Were there unintended outcomes? 
• What did the project cost? 
• How well was the project managed? 
• What are the project's merits compared with alternative approaches? 
• Should the methodology be revised?

7. FUTURE AND OTHER NECESSARY FUNDING

Describes a plan for continuation beyond the grant and/or the availability of other resources necessary to implement the grant.

• Presents a specific plan to obtain future funding if program is to be continued 
• Describes how maintenance and future program costs will be obtained (if an equipment or construction grant) 
• Describes how other funds will be obtained, if necessary to implement the grant 
• Has minimal reliance on future grant support 
• Is accompanied by letters of commitment, if necessary

8.  PROPOSAL BUDGET

Details all costs (whether requested or donated) required for the project implementation.

• Tells the same story as the proposal narrative 
• Is detailed in all aspects 
• Is presented in summary (link to sample budget summary) as well as detailed/narrative (link to sample detailed budget) form (which provides the justification for each item) 
• Fits the funder's allowable costs 
• Projects costs that will be incurred at the time of the program, if different from the time of proposal writing 
• Contains no unexplained amounts for miscellaneous or contingency 
• Includes all items asked of the funding source 
• Includes all items paid for by other sources 
• Includes all volunteers 
• Details fringe benefits, separate from salaries 
• Includes all consultants 
• Separately details all non-personnel costs 
• Includes indirect costs where appropriate 
• Is sufficient to perform the tasks described in the narrative