Before you pursue
Check eligibility, unknowns, and readiness before drafting
Early qualification protects limited time. A team should know which requirements pass, which fail, which remain unknown, and whether the organization can responsibly deliver the proposed work.
Confirm the hard requirements
Use the official notice to check applicant type, geography, registrations, deadline, required partners, cost share, program purpose, prohibited activities, and submission channel.
Name the unknowns
An unknown is not a pass. Assign an owner to verify unclear requirements, contact the funder when appropriate, record the authoritative answer, and revisit the decision if the notice changes.
Assess practical readiness
Consider leadership support, program design, staffing, evidence, budget capacity, partnerships, data collection, compliance, reporting, and the cost of preparing and managing the award.
