Planning and Writing Tips for your OCS Application
Several applicants needing funding apply every year, and with a limited amount of funds, sometimes not every applicant will be able to receive funds or the full amount they request. You need to make your proposal application stand out about the rest to capture the highest points from the peer review process!
Dan's Low-Income Planning and Writing Tips for your Application
First and foremost, like every application to anywhere or any test, don't miss the easy points! Many times they can determine the winner when two great proposals are competing! Read the Request for Proposal (RFP), then read it again. And again. Experienced writers are familiar with the different sections and everything that is being asked for, and where important information is to be placed. I have seen points deducted for minor things, and it would be in your best interests to follow these simple tips if you are not already:
- Write on every section of the RFP and address every question. If you are unable to give the complete or comprehensive answer, try to explain why not. Missing information will cost an application proposal points, no matter how good the rest of the questions in that section are!
- The proposal overall goals should match those of OCS and reflect a researched plan that is logical, realistic, and plausible.
- Be as specific and thorough but avoid being redundant. If information is already mentioned in another section it is alright to refer back to that section.
- Write well. This should not be an issue, but there have been times we have come across typos and painful grammatical errors. Please take the extra time to write properly and use the spell and grammar check if your word processor has it.
- Format your application in a similar format as it is in the RFP. It is greatly appreciated if we also don't have to flip through different sections that are out of order. Our scoring sheet is in the exact same order as listed in the RFP.
