Developing a grant proposal at Fielding Graduate University requires at least two components:

1. Your ideas.
2. Collaboration with the Research Office.

Pushing a grant proposal through the process from idea through development to submission will require several steps. Below is a rough outline of the steps in that process.

1.  Develop your research proposal to a concise 3 - 5 page summary that includes the following.

Description of research question or problem, including statement of significance of question or problem.

Brief description of research method or proposed solution.

Brief description of analytic method or evaluation process.

Description of expected outcome.

Description of significance of overall project, especially the outcome.

• Determine criteria for submitted projects, dates applications accepted, and other necessities.
• Search Fielding community to determine whether there is any networking potential among individuals at Fielding and individuals at potential funding source(s).
• Contact source(s) by phone to determine which have most potential.

4.  Refine proposal to more closely match interests and criteria of funding source(s).

• Match the proposal to the specifics of the funding source(s) application.
• Some applications can be short letter; some must be a well specified form supplied by funding source.
• Develop a well specified description of expected scope of work and proposed budget. It is important to be developing this from the very beginning.
• Have proposed budget reviewed administratively to insure Fielding's administrative costs are adequately covered.

• The Research Office will support you in obtaining the materials necessary for the final copy of the proposal. This may include documents from and about Fielding, letters of support, appropriate forms, or other materials.
• This proposal should be ready to submit to the potential funding source(s).
• This proposal should be ready to submit to the Institutional Review Board at Fielding. It is not necessary at this point since the grantor may request changes but it will have to be approved by the IRB before any money can be used.