Grant Proposal Narrative and Format

The following items should be included in your grant proposal narrative. Please upload your narrative as a single PDF document below. Note: The proposal narrative, addressing items 1 through 6, should be no more than 1,500 words.

1. Research Questions: What am I investigating and why? What do I want to learn? Ensure that your research question is focused and explains fully what you plan to investigate.
2. Statement of Significance: How does what I propose to investigate matter? To whom does it matter in theory and/or practice? Link your statement directly to your research question.
3. Motivation: What led you to this proposal (e.g., ideas, stories, experiences, interactions, readings)? Tell a compelling story about how you became interested in investigating your research question.
4. Research Design/Description of the Study: How will I do this? That is: (a) What is your plan for addressing your research question? (b) What will you do? (c) Who will do it? Explain how your planned research process will lead to a successful investigation. If submitting a group proposal, include how you will organize the group to support the research and how the participants will cooperate.
5. Timeline: What are the major tasks you will undertake to complete the research project? In what order? When will they be done? How long will each take? If repeated, how often? Why does this schedule make sense? Make a case for how the research project you’ve proposed can be accomplished in the time allowed.
6. Statement of Ethics: How will I account for the ethical demands that may arise during the inquiry process, including issues of consent, confidentiality, privacy, reciprocity for participants—what’s in it for them?—and anonymity? In addition to naming specific concerns, describe possible solutions for addressing them.
7. One-Page Budget: Applicants are required to include a budget outlining each expense item and a rationale for expenditures. We encourage each applicant to include a line item covering expenses for one teacher’s travel to the NCTE Annual Convention (where research will be presented at the Research Foundation’s sponsored session).
8. One-Page Appendix: If applicable, a one-page statement from the administrator(s) of the cooperating school(s) indicating willingness to cooperate with you.
9. One-Page Résumé: The primary researcher should include a one-page résumé.