Five Essential Tips for Finding the Perfect Grant Writing Consultant!

As grant applications become increasingly numerous and competitive, it’s essential to have a grant writing consultant working on your side. In one article written by Instrumentl.com, the website noted that “only one out of ten (1 out 10) grant proposals were accepted on average for the past years”.

This presents a series of risks and disadvantages, considering that;

(1) take precious time and effort in writing;

(2) some grant panels may only accept one submission per individual/entity; and

(3) that expense may already be made when the grant is accepted (or denied).

Thus, in this article, I would like to share some essential tips on hiring professional grant writers or engaging grant writing consultants’ services to increase your chances of success. This includes the benefits of having a grant writing consultant, essential qualities to look for, and how to find the right grant consulting services for your needs.

I. What is a Grant Writing Consultant?

One of the most common questions I received when editing and proofreading proposals for several of my past clients was, “what does a grant writing consultant do?”

Although this may come as a surprise, considering that this sector of my clientele was budding research professionals, the truth is – that most aspiring and starting researchers write their grants themselves.

Unfortunately, several have to learn the hard way that ‘grant writing is significantly different in form and mechanics to research.’ So, this again begs the question, “what does a grant writing consultant do?”

A. Professional Grant Writers Defined

A grant writing consultant is an individual or team knowledgeable about the grant writing process and the various components of successful grant proposals. Like any other dedicated and skilled professional, he should have the knowledge and experience to ensure your grant proposals stand out from the rest.

In my experience writing grants and/or proofreading them for the past ten (10) years, most skilled professional grant writers and checkers can provide specific and highly-targeted insight into the grant application process and help you create a compelling proposal that stands out from the rest.

For example, one associate here in AOS Essays was skilled and experienced in analyzing statistical trends and past histories of grant panels. According to him, “although the success of a grant request is not solely and largely dependent upon the mechanical aspects of your proposal, my previous studies and experience show that these mechanical parts can make or break your proposal when the competition is tight.”

…previous studies and experience show that these mechanical parts can make or break your proposal when the competition is tight.

Simply said, grant consulting services (and writers) aim to leverage their skills and knowledge on both the substantive, procedural, and mechanical aspects of grant writing to increase their clients’ grant approval success rate.

Additionally, some grant writing consultants also go the extra mile to research potential grant opportunities and stay current on the latest grant information. They can help you develop a budget and timeline for the project and help with the grant writing process.

As we will discuss in the succeeding sections, there are a lot of factors to consider, including the timeline, budget, objectives, and requirements. Thus, looking for a grant writing consulting provider can help you navigate the complex and often confusing process of writing a successful proposal.

II. Benefits of Hiring a Grant Writing Consultant

Although some of the benefits when you hire a grant writer are already discussed in passing above, the following sections will provide some of these in greater detail.

A. Experienced Guidance

One of the most apparent advantages of grant consultants is experienced guidance. These professionals focus and specialize in a specific niche, grant writing, which gives them the knowledge of which techniques work and which don’t.

Specifically, most consultants have extensive experience with the grant writing process. They can provide guidance on the most effective approach, similar to how a colleague of mine utilizes statistical trends to determine practical mechanical elements that should be included in your proposal.

In other words, their experienced guidance can provide valuable insight into the process and help you create a compelling proposal that stands out from the rest.

B. Increased Success Rate

What greater benefit would you want from a grant writing commission than increasing your chances of approval? This benefit is the be-all and end-all of hiring them. Several studies show that grant writing services (i.e., AOS Essay’s Premium Grant Consulting Services – PGCS) increase the chances of success by a significant margin.

For one, an article by Ron Flavin on LinkedIn.com highlights that these professionals can increase your chances of success by 60% compared to personally written proposals. In contrast, another study by FundingForGood.Org shows that employing grant writing services can increase your chances of success by 80% for developed and recurring programs and 30% to 40% for new research and programs.

In other words, a grant writing consultant can help you develop a plan of action and create a compelling proposal that meets all requirements.

C. Opportunity cost

Among the various benefits that one can have as he hires a grant writer, this is my personal favorite. Like any ghostwriter for hire, having a professional create and check your grant alone would help you save time and resources you can devote to other things—a concept known as opportunity cost.

This is not even stating that the grant writer can create and prepare your proposal more cost-efficiently than others by streamlining the process and working on specific milestones in various periods.

Working with these professionals would allow you to streamline the process, increase opportunity costs, and increase your chances of success, all in a single package.
Now that we have provided an overview of working with a grant writing commission (or consultant), the next step is finding the perfect service to work on your proposal.

III. How to Choose the Right Grant Writing Consultant

When selecting a grant writing consultant, it’s essential to choose one with experience in the field and a proven track record of success. Remember, some services are costly and may offer premium prices considering their track of success, which also means that you have to take your time and review whether you should hire them.

Here are a few tips to help you choose the right grant writing consultant for your needs, with consideration for your needs, experience, and budget, among others:

A. Research

Doing some research is essential when selecting a grant writing consultant. Check out their website, read reviews, and ask for references. This will help you better understand the grant writing consultant and their services.

For example, AOS Essays have an “associates list” where you can check on our members’ work experiences, knowledge, and skills. Try to look for these records.

Additionally, if you are looking to work with a freelancer or professional instead, ask as detailed questions as possible and verify their answers to ensure that you are working with the right person.

B. Budget

Always consider your budget. Remember, the main goal is to increase success and save on opportunity costs. Thus, you should consider these when negotiating a price. Here is a template of what I used back in the day to make strategic decisions about working (not necessarily with grant writing commissions) with professional writers.

Ultimately, it’s essential to consider your budget. Make sure to ask about their fees and services (and ensure that there are no hidden fees) before committing to a contract.

C. Services

What do your services include? Does it cover writing, proofreading, processing, etc.? Do you offer compliance monitoring? These are just some of the important questions you should ask about the services offered by professional grant writers.

D. Communication

One of the key aspects to succeed in this endeavor is open, timely, and transparent communication. But you may ask, ‘isn’t it too early to determine the writer’s communication capacities?’

Knowing the writer’s communication skills should be done as early as possible in the hiring process. Most of the time, I do not even ask this but instead infer based on a number of factors such as (1) their work experience, (2) their interviews, and even (3) their non-verbal communication, among others. This way, I can get an open and honest assessment without undue influence.

Going back to the process of hiring a grant writing consultant, you must know that communication could make or break your chances of success. This is because your grant writer would have a different persona, attitude, and knowledge regarding your proposed research, which could mean a disconnect between the proposal and your actual project.

The grant committee could quickly notice these lapses, reducing your chances of getting your proposal approved.

IV. How to Find the Right Grant Writing Consultant

The best way to find the right grant-writing consultant for your needs is to do some research.

Check out websites and online forums to find reviews and recommendations. You can also ask colleagues, friends, and family for recommendations, as long as they have the necessary experience working with one.

Once you have narrowed your search, ask questions about their experience and track record of success.

Reading through the grant writing consultant’s terms and conditions is essential before committing to a contract. Ask questions about their fees, services, timeline, and communication style.

If you are looking for premium grant writing services, you can try AOS Essay’s Premium Grant Consulting Services (PGCS).

V. Hiring a Grant Writer

Hiring a grant writer can be beneficial when writing a successful grant proposal. It’s essential to select a grant writer with the necessary skills, experience, and personality, as discussed in this article’s previous sections.

Nevertheless, always make sure to put your agreement into writing unless you are working with premium grant consulting services like AOS Essays.

We have provided a Grant Writer / Consulting Contract below in case you need it.

VI. Conclusion

Finding the right grant-writing consultant can be challenging, but the effort is worth it. A grant writing consultant can provide invaluable guidance and expertise in the grant writing process and help you create a compelling proposal that stands out from the rest.

As discussed earlier, doing research and asking questions about their experience and track record of success is an indispensable part of the finding (and hiring process). Ask about their fees, services, timeline, and communication style before committing to a contract.

You can also work with Premium Grant Consulting Services, which does everything for you.

What are you waiting for? Hire a grant writer or have a grant writing consultant check your proposal today!