Division of Research and Economic Development:Develop a Proposal Narrative
If you are planning to apply for a grant or non-construction contract, please contact Sponsored Programs as soon as possible and provide the name of the sponsor and the specific program for which you plan to apply.
The proposal narrative is the main body of an application that describes the project. Please find below guidance, resources, and tools that are recommended for you to use when developing the narrative for your proposal:
Review the List of things to check before deciding to apply for an externally funded program
- Submission deadline – make sure you have enough time to meet the deadline
- Sponsor's review criteria- be sure your project responds adequately to review criteria
- Sponsor's Goals – be sure your project goals align with those of the sponsor
- Eligibility Criteria – make sure Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) or non-profit entities are eligible to apply. If an applicant must have 501(c)(3) status, please contact the Division of Philanthropy and Engagement to discuss the possibility of submitting your application.
Utilize samples and boilerplates
Know where to locate data
- East Texas A&M and System-Wide Data (students, faculty, facilities, and equipment inventory)
Maestro Inventory – contact Sponsored Programs
- Community College and School District Data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
Community College Enrollment – THECB
Consider including collaborators
- Find a collaborator within the A&M System using Maestro
- Find an external or internal collaborator using Pivot
- Contact staff for assistance with locating collaborator:
- Within the A&M System using Maestro
- From Other Universities or East Texas A&M using known experts
Utilize the external review services available through Sponsored Programs
External reviewers are grant writers and editors who will review your proposal and provide technical edits, as well as, questions and comments where further clarification is needed. An external review usually takes 3-5 days but can take up to 2 weeks during a busy season. It is a service provided through Sponsored Programs. External reviews are available upon request.
Write to the review criteria of your sponsor
Check if your sponsor provides the criteria that will be used to determine what is awarded. Most federal or State programs will provide review criteria, while private foundations will imply review criteria through their mission statement.