Setting up for a Critical Cartography Project workshop with the Sixth Street Community Center, made possible by the Center for Science & Society Seed Grant. Photo credit: Madeleine Cesaretti
A grant can provide the foundational financial support needed to launch a new initiative or revitalize an existing one. Grants range in terms of funding packages large and small and stem from a variety of sources, including state governments, city agencies, and private foundations among other organizations. They are typically awarded through a competitive bidding process, with application requirements differing between each one. With so many specifications, the process of writing a grant proposal can feel overwhelming, but it certainly does not have to be. Think of the application as telling a story—your story—about a project that is true to you. Securing a grant allows you to access the resources to bring your vision to life.
Since the spring of 2022, I have led the Critical Cartography Project with a team of fellow undergraduate students, researching urban planning in New York and conducting community-based mapping workshops. Our project is made possible with a seed grant from Columbia’s Center for Science & Society and has provided a meaningful way of exploring these topics in-depth, putting our findings into practice, and connecting with others both in and out of the university. We are currently compiling our past work and teaching resources for future public use. The Center for Science & Society Seed Grant program (linked here) is just one among many that provides resources to Columbia students and affiliates for project needs.
While the grant writing process can range in terms of exact specifications, today I will be sharing the general steps for the process of crafting a competitive application.
- Research the Grant Landscape
As you consider embarking on a project, take time to explore the world of grants. This process can look like researching potential funding organizations that align with your project goals and familiarizing yourself with their missions and past work. Understanding these priorities will help you tailor your proposal to the guidelines of their grant. Most grants can have quite specific requirements, so clearly articulating how your goals and those of the grant coincide is essential.For students at Columbia looking to start a new project, I would recommend looking into some of the research centers on campus, including the Center for Science & Society. Columbia Research has compiled a list of internal Seed Grant sources as well (linked here). A project that might fall under the category of grant funding could also be explored with the support of a fellowship. The Undergraduate Research & Fellowships Office has a list of these positions under “Find an Opportunity” on their website (here). Other opportunities include the Arts Initiative’s Student Arts Grants (here) and student club grants (here).
- Define & Outline Your Project
Once you have a sense of the funding sources that align with your vision, it is time to articulate your project and its goals in writing.Some questions to consider in the drafting process include:
What is the challenge your project addresses?
What past work or history does your project build upon?
Who are the groups and communities involved in your proposal?
How much funding does your project necessitate?
What are the potential impacts your project will have?
- While the formatting of your proposal may differ between funding organizations, common sections may take the form of:
Summary – explaining the project overview, goals, resources, and general timeline.
Project Proposal – containing a further in-depth description of the project’s components, such as outreach methods, budget, and timeline.
Outreach methods – illustrating how the project will be conducted and who it will impact.
Budget – demonstrating specific, purposeful allocations of the grant amount.
Timeline – establishing the scope of the project.
Conclusion – reiterating the goals of the project and alignment with the grant purpose.
- Refining & Submitting Your Proposal
After drafting your proposal, make sure to edit for concision and clarity. It can be helpful to understand the proposal as a kind of narrative, meant to engage the reader with the personal impact your project can have both on its participants and on its wider audience. This can be the perfect step to share your proposal with a professor or mentor for feedback. Additionally, ensure your proposal follows the funding organization’s application guidelines, including formatting, page limits, fonts, and overall submission deadlines.
- Conclusions
Writing a grant proposal can be a daunting task, but it can also be a rewarding experience, pushing you to articulate your goals and vision for a meaningful project with the potential for positive impact on the world around you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek support from others in this process.
Best of luck with your grant proposals!
Madeleine Cesaretti CC’25