The Center for Minority Special Education developed this guide with the assistance of expert consultants to aide minority researchers write special education research proposals. Though the guide specifically targets grants offered through the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs, it can be useful in writing grants for other sources including state and local programs and foundation grants. (See also, CMSE's Model Demonstration Proposal Development Guide.) TABLE OF CONTENTS Worksheet for Preparing a Concept Paper Introduction Preparatory Reminders Selection Criteria Importance Technical Soundness Plan of Operation Evaluation Key Personnel Adequacy of Resources Impact Organizational Capability Budget and Cost Effectiveness Abstract Contributors Appendices Budget Development For Proposals Checklist Final Grant Checklist Usual Order of Federal Grant Tips: Writing Letters of Support and Need INTRODUCTION You are now ready to make the transition from a concept paper to that of developing a preliminary (i.e., draft) proposal. It is our belief that this guide will provide structure in the development of your final proposal. It is essential that you gather together all materials needed (e.g., computer disks, pertinent research articles, references, etc.) necessary to complete each selection criterion outlined in the grant application when using this guide as a reference. This guide was designed to assist you in developing proposals for research projects. Research projects may be defined as those projects which develop (a) effective interventions and strategies through the use of comparison studies; and (b) materials for national dissemination. In order to prepare a truly competitive research proposal, you need to do the following: You must submit a proposal that is substantive. The proposal must be written in a manner which convinces the reviewers that your project is well-founded in theory and has strong documentation.   You must demonstrate (in the proposal) that you have obtained adequate university support for your project. This is usually done by including letters of support from the university officials and/or commitments for supportive resources (e.g., a portion of the applicant's salaries, or office space and computer equipment).   You must place your proposal in the context of previous work. A discussion on how your project relates to similar projects in the literature is often more important than your original idea(s); therefore, relate the goals and objectives of your project to similar projects found in the literature.   You must identify, acquire, and document a commitment for supervision of the project from a university professor (for student-initiated research). For information on additional requirements for research projects, read the recent grant announcements listed on the U.S. Department of Education's Grants & Contracts page. Remember, the more complete the information you have, the more you will be able to accomplish towards completion of your first draft. Table of Contents CMSE Online Preparatory Reminders