2 11/16/2020
Source: Hanover Partners
PROJECT DESCRIPTION (4 paragraphs)
Briefly state your proposed solution to the problem, the answer to the need, or the investigation
that will fill the knowledge gap. Address your unique, unusual, distinctive, innovative, and/or
novel aspects of the approach, showing why you have the most compelling/best solution worthy
of funding.
The project description includes the project's Goals, Objectives, and an overview of the project's
Methodology (also called Project Activities or Action Plan).
• Goals – Reflects a concise statement of the whole purpose of the project or your overall
aim of what you want to accomplish.
• Objectives – Discussed who is going to do what, when they will do it, and how it will be
measured but NOT how those results will be accomplished.
• Methodology - Outlines the specific activities that support how you will meet your
objectives. It is task oriented, specific, and detailed.
Note: The goals, objectives, and activities need to align closely with each other and be
accomplished within the proposed timeline.
EVALUATION (1 paragraph)
Briefly state your intended outcomes and how you will measure success.
BUDGET or PROJECT NEED (1 paragraph)
In general terms (not detailed), state the resources you will need to carry out the project.
It contains either (1) an outline of the main budget categories for the requested project support or
(2) a single bottom-line amount of the request and a brief discussion/narrative of how that
amount will be used. Some concept papers may not even include an amount requested.
Impact of Project (1 paragraph)
Solidify the funder’s final impression of your project as being important and aligned to their
mission and funding priorities.
Very briefly restate why the project is important, describing how the expected outcomes will
impact the targeted population, the department, university and beyond, and how it will add new
knowledge to your field and inform policy and practice.
This represents a suggested general outline for a concept paper. However, if a given funder
provides a specific template or format, the applicant must use the prescribed structure.