Applying for grants could be a game-changer for your small business or research, but it’s not without challenges. Many grant applicants make common mistakes that lead to rejected proposals, missed opportunities, and wasted time. According to a report by the Plastic Surgery Foundation, it rejects over 70% of grant applications while the National Institutes of Health (NIH) rejects over 90%. These grants may be specific to health-related proposals, but the numbers are still astonishing and show a trend among grant applications in general.
To make sure your grant application doesn’t get rejected, let’s walk through some frequent missteps and how you can avoid them.
Find Grants Specific to You
One of the biggest mistakes people make is applying for grants that don’t align with their business, so begin by finding grants that are tailored to your specific situation. For instance, if you’re a veteran, there are business grants for veterans designed to support small business endeavors post-service.
Many grants have specific criteria, but the benefit of applying for them is that the competition might be narrower compared to more general grants. When reviewing grants, look for niche opportunities that align with your industry, demographic, or the scope of your project. Doing this not only helps prevent your grant application from getting rejected, but also could increase your chances of securing funding.
Proposal Lacks Clear Significance
Many grant applications fail because the proposal doesn’t communicate why the business is important. You must clearly articulate the significance of your work, so be specific about the problems you aim to solve and the positive impact your work will have. Ensure your proposal demonstrates that your project addresses a real need or challenge that aligns with the grant’s mission.
No Testable Hypothesis Included in the Approach
A common oversight, particularly in scientific and research-based proposals, is the absence of a testable hypothesis. Without a clear hypothesis, it becomes difficult to convince the grant reviewers of the validity and potential success of your approach. Your proposal should lay out a specific, testable hypothesis that could be evaluated through measurable outcomes.
Insufficient or Missing Preliminary Data
In cases where grants fund research or experimental projects, missing or weak preliminary data could be a red flag for reviewers. Preliminary data generally indicates that your project is viable and that you’ve already made some progress. It doesn’t have to be exhaustive but offering some level of data shows that you’ve done your homework, and that further funding could lead to meaningful results. When in doubt, include any data, findings, or prior work that supports your project’s feasibility.
Unrealistic or Overly Ambitious Goals
Setting goals that are too ambitious can be just as problematic as setting goals that are too vague. If your project’s timeline, budget, or objectives seem unattainable, reviewers may question whether you can actually complete it within the grant’s scope. By setting attainable goals, you demonstrate that you’ve done your research and have a reasonable idea of what can be accomplished with the grant.
No Statistical Justification Provided
When your project involves data collection or research, failing to provide a statistical justification could be a major downfall. You must explain how you will analyze the data, what metrics will be used, and why those metrics are relevant.
Reviewers want to see that your methods of data collection and analysis are statistically sound and that your findings will be meaningful. Without a strong statistical foundation, your proposal might appear unconvincing or incomplete.
Lacks Originality or Innovation
One of the quickest ways to lose a grant opportunity is by proposing something that lacks originality or innovation. Grant reviewers often look for projects that break new ground or offer fresh solutions to existing problems.
If your proposal feels like a rehash of what’s already been done, it may not stand out. Take the time to ensure your project has a unique angle or approach that distinguishes it from other similar initiatives. If your project lacks originality or innovation, then other types of financing may be the solution.
Failure to Adhere to Guidelines
Failing to adhere to the specific guidelines of the grant application is one of the most easily avoidable mistakes. Each grant will typically have a set of rules regarding formatting, word count, required sections, and deadlines.
Failing to follow these guidelines could lead to automatic disqualification, regardless of how good your proposal is. Always triple check the requirements before submitting your application.By avoiding these common mistakes, you could dramatically improve your chances of winning the grants you apply for!
