The Genre: Major Funding Applications
Office of University Initiatives Gil Harootunian, PhD, Executive Director
What Is a Genre?
Some scholars define genre as a “social act.” We write an op-ed to persuade readers to agree with our view. We write a science article to share a new finding. We write a campaign speech to get citizens to vote for us. We write a major funding application to implement a project.
Common Elements
Each genre (op-ed, campaign speech, science article, and major funding application) will have its own (1) content, (2) style, and (3) conventions.
As faculty, you are (1) content experts, (2) masters of style, and (3) knowledgeable about the conventions of many genres. You are skilled at drafting articles that can pass the juried process. Yet, not all graduate schools explicitly address composing a major funding application.
The Good News
1. Most sponsors now specify the conventions in their funding opportunity announcements.
2. Make an outline of convention requirements. Consult this frequently, especially
during times when your workload is daunting.
3. Read the fine print. Program officers have to pack an awful lot of information
into funding announcements.
Sample for Discussion: Conventions of USDE Minority Serving-Institution Proposal
● Priorities (Absolute, Competitive, Invitational)
● Comprehensive Development Plan
● Project Design
● Activity Objectives
● Implementation Strategy
● Project Management Plan
● Quality of Key Personnel
● Evaluation Plan
● Budget (resources and allocations)
Use of Conventions
1. Present each convention (e.g., Activity Objectives, Evaluation) as a bold header.
2. Program Officers will train reviewers to read for the conventions (sections).
3. Reviewers will use a scoring sheet that assigns points to conventions (sections)
only.
Can you make any changes?
It depends...
Some guidelines will state that the program requires a proposal to include specified sections in the order listed. This is good news in that you know exactly the structure of your proposal.
Are there other times we can make changes?
Some...
The conventions rarely change, but presentation of them can and should be the result of your thoughtfulness.
Can you add a section?
YES...
...if the section is generally acceptable in your field.
Example: You can add an “Overview” section at the beginning of an NSF proposal to
orient readers to your complex project. If space permits, adding an “Overview” is
a best practice, especially as a proposal can be lengthy and detailed.
Can any sections be re-arranged?
You have discretion with a few sections. Examples:
1. Results from Prior NSF Support: You can place this at the beginning to emphasize
the excellent track record of your university or the excellent performance of NSF
Awardees at your university, or you can place this at the end to showcase your proposed
project first.
2. Broader Impacts: You can also place this at the beginning or the end depending
on what you want to showcase, where.
Visuals (tables, graphs, charts)
Here are your choices:
1. The sponsor might require a table and give you the format. You decide where to
place it.
2. The sponsor might ask for certain information, but you can design the table, chart,
or graph and decide where to place it.
3. You may decide to present required information in a visual rather than written
paragraph(s). For additional guidance, see “Visuals: Tailored To Major Applications.”
Contact anytime:
Dr. Gil Harootunian, Executive Director, University Initiatives
gharootunian@csufresno.edu
278-4850
This PDF is provided as a print-only reference document and may not be fully accessible to users of assistive technology. For more information, please visit Title II Rule on Digital Accessibility page.