Suggestions for Strengthening Proposals to the SAPRP

Here are some suggestions from our reviewers and National Program Office Staff for strengthening grant proposals to this program:

Pay close attention to the application procedures. This may be the most important suggestion we can make. It is surprising how many applicants do not seem to take the time to read the materials and, therefore, do not end up understanding the priorities of the program and following important guidelines. Carefully read the Call for Proposals and pay attention to the application procedures. If you are invited to submit a proposal, closely follow the SAPRP application instructions.

Be sure your study is timely and appropriate. This program primarily funds policy research (i.e., research on the nature, development and/or consequences of policies). The program is not likely to fund epidemiological or clinical research unless it has substantial policy implications. It is not enough to select a significant policy issue to study. The study itself needs to be designed so that its findings will be significant and timely. Clearly state the value that findings from your study will add to the field. Results should be generalizable.

Provide a clear, complete and precise description of your project. Include a carefully thought out rationale, conceptual framework and hypotheses. Underlying assumptions should be identified and explained. Projects are more likely to be funded if the proposal makes it easy to envision how the project will be conducted step-by-step. Be consistent in linking research questions to the literature review, methods, dissemination and work plan.

Develop a strong methodology section. The methods sections of proposals we receive tend to vary considerably in quality. The methodology should be spelled out clearly so that reviewers can thoroughly understand every step involved. For example, the reviewer should not have to guess at the size of a sample, the number of focus groups or how the groups will be constructed, what types of questions will be asked of survey respondents, or the number and characteristics of communities included in a study. Limitations should be identified and a plan for addressing limitations should be included.

Include statistical methods, power analysis and a sampling scheme if applicable. Link your hypotheses to your data analysis plan and explain how they will be tested and rejected or accepted. It will help if you explain in your proposal: a) the theoretical or organizational framework guiding the data collection activities; b) how analytical decisions will be made; and c) how the data will be managed and analyzed (e.g., who will collect and analyze the data, what is the volume of data, how will documents be summarized, how will data be coded?).

Include a dissemination plan that addresses appropriate audiences who are clearly in a position to affect policy.

Develop a capable and appropriate project team. If your organization does not have a strong researcher on staff to lead the project, collaborate with a researcher at a nearby university or research organization. Use collaborators for aspects of the project that are outside your expertise.

For further guidelines on proposal writing, we recommend The Grant Application Writer's Handbook by Liane Reif-Lehrer, Jones and Bartlett Publishers International, London, 1995. To order a copy, call the publisher's sales office at 978-443-5000.

Another excellent resource can be found at www.theresearchassistant.com. This site offers tips, tools, and information to organize and write a grant proposal.