Applying for funding – top tips
- Identifying opportunities
- Apply early
- Check the details
- Keep records
- Ask questions
- Don't give up!
- Say thank you
Identifying opportunities
Make sure you are clear about what you want funding for, how much you require, how you will use it and what you will achieve with it. This will ensure you are focused when you carry out your funding search. You are likely to be asked to provide answers to these questions as part of the application process – being clear in your own mind what your objectives are will help improve the quality of your application.
Apply early
Applying for funding will probably take longer than you think. Some statutory grants and other schemes open for applications only once a year, so you need to be aware of when the next application round will take place. Plan ahead and don’t wait until everyone else has applied for a grant – take action early and increase your chances of success.
Check the details
Before you submit your application, proofread it, double-check all the details are right and ensure you have provided all supporting documents requested by the administrator.
Keep records
Make a note of which funds you have applied for, when you applied and what the result was. Then you'll know who to go back to, and when.
Ask questions
If you get rejected, ask for feedback – that way you’ll know for next time how to improve your application.
Don’t give up!
If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Many funding schemes are over-subscribed – but if one grant doesn’t look hopeful, try another one.
Say thank you
If you do get help from someone, thank them. Whether you are required to report on how you have used the funding or not, write to them to tell them what you've done with their money. You will be more likely to receive more funding if you keep in touch.