Syllabus
Master of Social Work
SSWO 608 Grant Research and Proposal Writing
Credits - 3
Description
This course discusses the concepts and practices of the discipline of grant research and proposal writing; the techniques and strategies of grant research and proposal writing and tracking of proposals once submitted, and follow up on submitted proposals. We will also explore the types of financial assistance available to agencies and individuals. Using the Internet and relevant published materials as well as lecture and discussion, students will develop the skills to develop and submit grant proposals.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
School of Social Work Program Outcomes:
Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:
- Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
- Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
- Engage in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Access funding and grant writing resources. PROGRAM OUTCOME 6. As measured by DISCUSSION FORUMS.
- Develop a program-based grant proposal using logical, focused steps grounded in relevant data and critical thinking specific to program planning. PROGRAM OUTCOMES 3 & 6. As measured by 1) DISCUSSION FORUMS and 2) WRITTEN PROPOSAL.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how to develop an effective grant proposal and grant writing best practices. PROGRAM OUTCOME 6. As measured by 1) DISCUSSION FORUMS and 2) WRITTEN PROPOSAL.
- Develop a professional funding pitch presentation. PROGRAM OUTCOMES 3 & 6. As measured by 1) DISCUSSION FORUMS and 2) ORAL PRESENTATION.
- Work collaboratively (online and on campus) with class colleagues and, when appropriate, area community-based organizations. PROGRAM OUTCOME 7. As measured by 1) DISCUSSION FORUMS, 2) WRITTEN PROPOSAL and 3) ORAL PRESENTATION.
Assignments
A variety of learning activities have been designed to support the course objectives, facilitate different learning styles, and build a community of learners.
Learning activities in this course include the following:
Readings and Multimedia:
Throughout this course you will complete several readings from your textbook, watch videos, and interact with different websites to help you grasp the information being presented in each learning module. There is a lot of material to cover in each module, so be cautious to read and review carefully.
Discussions:
Each week you will engage in a few activities in the discussion boards. You will complete specific discussion question activities with all of your classmates. All of the discussion activities lead toward completion of the research project. Some of the discussions are complex in nature so it is strongly advised that you begin working on them at the start of each module. Each of the discussion questions will be graded on a weekly basis. With the exception of Week 8, your initial discussion post is due Sunday night by 11:59 PM ET, and your two response posts are due by Tuesday at 11:59 PM ET. For Week 8, the initial post is due Friday at 11:59 PM ET, and the responses are due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET.
Grading and Feedback Method:
The instructor will provide you with weekly feedback on your grant proposal and your class participation.
Writing Assignments, Projects, and Assessments:
The major assignment for this course is the creation of a fully developed grant proposal which will be ready for submission. The grant will be developed in sections and submitted weekly, the instructor will provide you with feedback each week. You will take that feedback and incorporate it into your final proposal which you will submit to the instructor. Other writing assignments will include critiquing some examples of grants each week. These will provide you with a great opportunity to write a proposal and to learn from others based on the course readings and other materials.
Grading Policy
The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment | Point Value | Percentage of Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Proposal – Weekly Assignments (1–7) | 280 points (divided up among multiple weekly assignments) | 28% |
| Discussions | 400 points (50 points per week) | 40% |
| Grant Proposal Assignment | 320 points | 32% |
| Total: | 1,000 | 100% |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Course Dates: March 3, 2021 – April 25, 2021
All assignments are to be submitted by 11:59 p.m. E.T. on the dates listed below. Unless otherwise specified below, all module discussions and assignments are due the last day of the module or unit week.”Getting Started” to be completed prior to starting Module 1.
Week 1: The Grant Connection to Non-Profit Organizations: What You Need to Know | Dates: Mar 3 – Mar 9
- Readings: Textbook: Coley & Scheinberg, Ch. 1–4; Document: What is Grant Writing?
- Website: The Foundation Center’s Proposal Writing Short Course
- Multimedia: Videos as listed
- Discussion: Community Needs Assessment / Strategic Plan (Initial Post Due: Sunday, Response Due: Tuesday)
- Assignments: Grant Proposal – Concept of Your Idea
Week 2: Writing the Needs Statement | Dates: Mar 10 – Mar 16
- Readings: Textbook: Coley & Scheinberg Chs. 5, 6, 8; Document: Developing a Strong Needs Statement (Marshall)
- Discussion: Needs Statement (Initial Post Due: Sunday, Response Due: Tuesday)
- Assignments: Grant Proposal – Statement of Need
Week 3: Building The Logic Model | Dates: Mar 17 – Mar 23
- Readings: Textbook: Coley & Scheinberg, Ch. 6; Article: Logic Model Development Guide (Kellogg Foundation)
- Multimedia: Videos as listed
- Discussion: Critique of Sample Program Descriptions (Initial Posts Due: Sunday, Responses Due: Tuesday)
- Assignments: Grant Proposal – Building the Logic Model
Week 4: Writing the Methods Section | Dates: Mar 24 – Mar 30
- Readings: Textbook: Coley & Scheinberg, Chapters 7 and 9
- Multimedia: Videos as listed
- Discussion: Peer Critique Logic Model/Program Description (Initial Posts Due: Sunday, Responses Due: Tuesday)
- Assignments: Grant Proposal – Writing the Program Description
Week 5: The Evaluation Plan | Dates: Mar 31 – Apr 6
- Readings: Textbook: Coley & Scheinberg, Ch. 7; Article: What is the Difference Between a Goal, an Objective, and an Outcome?”
- Discussion: Evaluation Critique (Initial Post Due: Sunday, Response Due: Tuesday)
- Assignments: Grant Proposal – Evaluation
Week 6: The Budget Outline | Dates: Apr 7 – Apr 13
- Readings: Textbook: Coley & Scheinberg, Ch. 10
- Multimedia: Videos as listed
- Discussion: Budget Critique (Initial Post Due: Sunday, Response Due: Tuesday)
- Assignments: Grant Proposal – Budget Outline and Foundation Research
Week 7: The Budget Narrative | Dates: Apr 14 – Apr 20
- Readings: Textbook: Review Coley & Scheinberg, Ch. 8
- Multimedia: Videos as listed
- Discussion: Budget Narrative Critique (Initial Post Due: Sunday, Response Due: Tuesday)
- Assignments: Grant Proposal – Budget Narrative
Week 8: The Executive Summary/ Proposal Abstract | Dates: Apr 21 – Apr 25
- Readings: Textbook: Coley & Scheinberg, Ch. 11
- Multimedia: Videos as listed
- Discussions: Final Version Grant Proposal Peer Review (Initial Post Due: Friday, Responses Due: Sunday)
- Assignments: Final Grant Proposal (Due: Friday)
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Social Work page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Social Work Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/social-work/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
Essential Academic and Technical Standards
Please review the essential academic and technical standards of the University of New England School Social Work (SSW): https://online.une.edu/social-work/academic-and-technical-standards-une-online-ssw/
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Confidentiality Statement
Student and faculty participation in this course will be governed by standards in the NASW Code of Ethics relating to confidentiality in sharing information from their placement sites and practice experiences. Students should be aware that personal information they choose to share in class, class assignments or conversations with faculty does not have the status of privileged information.
Late Policy
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Attendance Policy
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.