How to write effective grant proposals, and why you should

ILIP’s Working Internationally project is looking at how information professionals from across the globe can learn from each other and share ideas. As part of the project, CILIP is making a number of grants and awards available to individual members to enable them to travel and study. But for many, the thought of applying can be enough to put them off. Laura Cagnazzo, who won the 2019 Alan Hopkinson Award that helped her attend this year’s IFLA World Congress, shares her top tips for writing a successful proposal.

How did it all start?
I had heard about the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) during my MSc, but I didn’t know much about the IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) till this conversation with a colleague who attends the Congress fairly regularly. When she mentioned that various organisations offer bursaries to attend IFLA WLIC I set my mind to keep a careful eye for potential calls for applications. That is why, when I saw that the CILIP International Library and Information Group (ILIG) was inviting applications for the 2019 Alan Hopkinson Award, I grabbed this chance with both hands!

The value of attending international events
Inspiration, opportunities, ideas, learning, networking, career development, self-confidence and motivational boost. These are some of the benefits of attending international events. Thanks to my experience in Athens, my knowledge and awareness of current challenges and developments have improved, I have established contact with experts in fields of interest and my self-confidence was strengthened. Networking can be daunting, but when you start to open up to other professionals and see how rewarding that is, you feel very motivated to keep going. In general, attending international events allows professionals to compare their institutions and workplaces to others around the world. International conferences are showcases of successes, of ideas, are catalysts of change and innovation and precious chances of tackling challenges by leveraging on the community expertise.

So, how do you write an effective grant proposal?
One of the reasons behind my successes might surprise you: a lack of applicants! I know well that time is never enough, life gets in the way and self-doubt and lack of confidence can stop us from trying. Remember that every application you are not writing/sending is a missed opportunity. I have heard on more than one occasion people on bursaries and awards panels complaining about receiving a very small number or even no applications at all. Just before writing my application for the Alan Hopkinson Award I watched a SLA (Special Libraries Association) webinar entitled “How to win an award: Practical advice on making a successful award application”, which offered some useful tips. Below I list some of the webinar advice, and some of mine too:

Know the awarding body: do some research on the awarding body, to understand what kind of person they are looking for

Read the call for applications carefully: you need to have a clear idea of how you can be a good fit for what the awarding body is seeking

Find out about previous winners: if you have access to the reports they wrote or if you can reach out to them on social media, do it! They will (hopefully) be happy to provide some advice and tell you more about their experience

Explain your situation: why should they give the award to you? It may be that neither you nor your workplace are able to financially support your attendance and this conference would be very beneficial to your career development, for such and such reasons…Let them know!

Prove your value: show why they should choose you over all the other applicants. How can you benefit them? What are you planning to do during and after the event? Try to demonstrate that you are willing to go beyond the minimal requirements (generally, a report) and that you will spread the outcome of your experience widely. Don’t be shy, sell yourself! My recommendation is to keep your eyes peeled for calls for applications for bursaries, grants and awards through various channels:

check the Awards/Bursaries page on the CILIP website

keep an eye on social media – e.g., follow @CILIPInfo and other Library Associations

join mailing lists

join CILIP Special Interest Groups.