Detailed description of the project

Concept Outline

Before starting a search for funding opportunities, it is advisable to clarify the project you have in mind.  One way to do this is by completing a Concept Outline Form (MS Word) .  This form is not intended to require a detailed description of the project, but should contain brief statements that will enable you to work through the various sections.  Once completed, this information can be used to more effectively search for funding opportunities, discuss your preliminary plans with potential co-investigators and program managers.  Following is a guide as to what you should include under each heading.

Important :
If you don't have Microsoft Word, you may download and install Microsoft Viewer free software to view the documents in MS Word.

Problems, Needs, Knowledge or Technology Gaps

– Identify a problem/need/gap in services for a project you want to accomplish.  Sponsors most often offer support for projects that best match their organizational interests and priorities.  Remember that the problem represents the reason for your project and why it is important.  "Needs” generally focus on the conditions in the lives of the people you want to help.  A “problem statement” looks at a particular situation and relates it to similar situations that exist in other communities.  For purposes of this outline, keep it to a “brief” statement.

Proposed Solution(s):

Goal(s):

A vision of what will be accomplished by this project in terms of what you have just identified as the problem/need/gap.

Objective(s):

The essential steps you will take to achieve your goal(s).  If you begin your statements with words like “To increase...To decrease...To reduce...” you are talking about objectives.   Objectives should be specific and measurable, serving as the basis for an evaluation of a project's success.

Approach, Methodology, Plan of Operations:

Activities that you will undertake to achieve each of your objectives. Remember...just as objectives flow naturally from the problem statement, so do methods follow from the objectives.  Again, for purposes of your outline, keep it simple.

Product(s) and Impact:

The outcome(s) of the project in terms of a specific product(s); or impact. Examples include a specific product and/or process, book, play or painting; implementation of a new program, course or activity; publication of findings in a professional journal; conducting a conference with publication of proceedings and results.  How will the information about your product be disseminated?;

Resources Available/Needed:

Sponsors often restrict the type of support, e.g., personnel, equipment, travel, etc., and the total amount that is available for any project.; What resources (people/expertise, partners, equipment, etc.) do you need to accomplish the objectives(s) of a project?  What resources are already available to you?  The difference is what will need to be requested from a sponsor.  How much do you need, $1,000, $50,000 or $500,000?

Time Frame:

How much time will it take to complete the project objectives?; Sponsors often limit the length of time they will offer funding for a given project. Do you need 3 months, 1 year, 5 years?; If you need a longer time frame than is allowed by a particular funding agency, can your project/program be developed in phases?

Keywords:

One of the most efficient ways to search for funding is through electronic databases which depend on the selection of keywords that best reflect your interests.  To assist in searching for funding opportunities, select general and specific terms that best match with the concept you have developed.  For example,

General	Specific
Education	Rural, K-12, Science, Special
Environment	Water Quality, Air Pollution
Health	Rural, Family, Mental
History	American, Ozarks
Science	Biology, Animal, Vertebrates

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Important:
If you dont have Microsoft >Word, you may download and install Microsoft Word Viewer free software to view *.doc documents.