fundsforNGOs Doc. training materials for NGOs

Learning material on how to write proposals for Grant Opportunities

1. Moving from Concept Note to Full Proposal for USAID ©Cheryl Hooper

2. Hello and a Very Warm Welcome! A full application for USAID builds on the first stage Concept Note. 2

3. Learning Outcomes 1. Gain a practical understanding of USAID’s requirements and how to answer specific questions. 2. Increased confidence in how to approach a full proposal. 3

4. Full application basic instructions ’ People of Excellence go the extra mile to do what’s right’ Joel Osteen 4

5. Cover Sheet Fundamentals 5

6. Cover Sheet Fundamentals 6

7. Section 1 project description Project Description Maximum 250 Words Not Assessed on Points 7

8. 7 Sections 1. Project Description 2. Situational Assessment 3. Project Conformity to Grant Criteria 4. Institutional Capability & Past Performance 5. Management & Staffing 6. Monitoring, Evaluation & Work plan 7. Budget & Budget Narrative 8

9. 9 Section 2: situational assessment Clearly state the problem (s) you are seeking to address . Describe the population with which you propose to work and the local issues and conditions in your project area . Background information must focus only on the specific environment relevant to your project area and the identified problem(s). This information may include cultural , demographic, gender and s ocio-economic factors related to the development , delivery and sustainability of your project. If relevant, please describe the existing and/or missing infrastructure in the area such as hospitals, outreach personnel, etc. Your situational assessment should be supported by recent data, literature and other verifiable information.

10. 1. SITUATIONAL ASSESSMENT 2. SOLUTION & TECHNICAL APPROACH 3. GENDER AND EQUITY All 3 elements make up the Project Description with equal weighting! 10

11. Situational analysis broken down The problems & challenges that the project seeks to address? Describe the beneficiaries disaggregated by gender, age, disability, etc. The LOCAL issues affected by the problems Cultural, demographic, gender & socio-economic factors Existing and missing infrastructure if relevant HOW the project will address the problems & be sustained Data, facts & evidence to back up 11

12. Section 2 Solution & Technical approach Based on the information you provided in the situational assessment and your description of the problem you are seeking to address, clearly state your proposed solution(s). Please provide a clear rationale for the solution(s ) based on your situational assessment. Provide a clear and detailed narrative of your project objective(s ) and the activities you are proposing to undertake to accomplish your objective(s). This information should be directly related to your Work Plan (see below and Attachment F). If relevant, please include a discussion about how your solution links to local/national health systems. Partnerships should also be identified. 12

13. Section 2 Solution & Technical approach Broken Down Your solution to the problem The rationale for your approach The project objectives The project activities Relate answers to the work plan How the solution supports local/national health systems 20XX Sample Footer Text 13

14. 14 Provide a description of services currently provided across all levels of society in your project area, including across gender and socio-economic class, and between urban and rural areas. Include a discussion of how your services/benefits are equally accessible and affordable to all populations accessing care. Further describe how you plan to address existing differences, so delivery of care is equitably distributed. If you are proposing a project that will impact policies or other programs, please describe the potential differential impacts that those policies or programs will have, including any unintended negative consequences, and how you plan to address them.   Section 2 Gender & equity

15. Gender & equity section broken down General description of eye services in the project area across all sections of society, and rural and urban Explanation of how eye services affect gender and socio-economic status How your project will address imbalance and be accessible to all and leave no-one behind Whether the project will impact policies and how you will address this 15

16. Section 3 project conformity to grant criteria 1. sustainability 2. capacity building 3. best practice All 3 elements make up the Project Conformity with equal weighting! 16

17. Section 3 Sustainability Please describe how you plan to ensure that your activities continue at a high-quality level beyond the period of funding. 17

18. Section 3 Best Practice Please describe how your project incorporates best practices 18

19. Innovation: 15 points 2-4 pages Clearly describe your innovation, approach to the expansion of global knowledge and/or the identification and dissemination of Best Practices. 19

20. Section 4 institutional capabilities & past performance 1. organisational capacity 2. past performance Both elements will be assessed together Sample Footer Text 20XX 20 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

21. Section 4 Organisational Capacity Please describe the resources (human, technical, financial) available to your organization to be able to successfully implement the project within the proposed timeframe and cost. 21

22. Section 4 Previous Experience in the proposed area Please provide a detailed but concise description of your previous or ongoing experience implementing similar activities. If you have been a prior grantee provide a description of the project, major accomplishments and project implementation dates. 22

23. Section 5: Management and Staffing Both elements will be assessed together 23

24. Section 5: Management and staffing Please describe how the proposed project will be effectively managed. Specifically, identify the key personnel and provide the following information for each key personnel position: Key qualifications of the proposed individual Roles and responsibilities for each position Reporting and lines of authority for each position. An organizational chart may be included to illustrate this information. If relevant to your project, describe the relationship between Headquarters offices and country or field offices. Amount of time that the person will be dedicating to this project Where the position will be located (in the project country, the United States, a third country) 24

25. Section 6: Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Work Plan   Please fill in the M&E Plan Template, Attachment C, as required in the narrative section of the plan. Indicators and targets must be realistic given proposed activities, past performance and experience and based on the budget. Information regarding the method(s) of data collection, data storage, review and on-going monitoring are also requested. 20XX Sample Footer Text 25 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

26. Section 6: Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Work Plan   The Work Plan, Attachment D, requires the selection of milestones based on major accomplishments of the project. Please ensure these are realistic and measurable. Activities leading to the completion of each milestone must be detailed in the template. 26

27. Section 7: Budget & Budget Narrative   Please use the Full Application Budget Template provided in Attachment E to submit your budget. Detailed instructions regarding the completion of the budget template are included in Attachment F: Budget Instructions and Cost Principles. Please provide all cost information in United States Dollars. The cost categories provided are standard and not all may be applicable to your project. You should modify your budget depending on your proposed start and end dates. Applicants must provide a Budget Narrative to explain each line item of the budget (Please refer to Attachment G for a sample Budget Narrative). The budget narrative is limited to three (3) pages. 27

28. Recap of Sections 5 SECTIONS WHICH HAVE MORE THAN ONE ELEMENT OR QUESTIONS WITHIN QUESTIONS. HAVE YOU ANSWERED EVERYTHING ?! 20XX Sample Footer Text 28

29. Section 1: Project Summary A short paragraph of 250 words explaining: What – what is the project? Where – where does it take place? Why – why is the project needed? Who – who will the project benefit and how many? When – when will the project start and the duration What – what is the proposed outcomes and anticipated impact? 29

30. Section 2 – project description 3 sub-headings 1. SITUATIONAL ASSESSMENT 2. SOLUTION & TECHNICAL APPROACH 3. GENDER AND EQUITY 30

31. Section 3 project conformity to grant criteria 3 sub-headings 1. sustainability 2. capacity building 3. best practice 31

32. Section 4 institutional capabilities & past performance 2 sub-headings 1. organisational capacity 2. past performance 20XX Sample Footer Text 32

33. Section 5 management & staffing 2 sub-headings 1. management 2. staffing 33

34. Section 6: Budget & Budget Narrative 34

35. Key lessons I’ve learned and always apply 35

36. Key lessons I’ve learned and always apply 36

37. Thank you © Cheryl Hooper E: [email protected] Tel: [phone]