Target groups for the course: Graduate and postgraduate students, early career researchers, Lecturers, consultants, and researchers
Universities: The courses shall be offered online at the University of Zambia and University of Malawi and be open to both students and non-student eligible members of the public.
Course format: The Course shall be offered using online platforms and in English.
When?: The courses shall be offered twice, in June and December of 2025. For June intake the registration opens on 1st January 2025 and closes on 30 May 2025. For the December intake, registration opens on 1st July and Closes on 30th November 2025.
Course plan – overview (4 weeks duration):
UNIT 1: Introduction to Grant Writing (5 hrs)
- Overview of the grant writing process.
- Types of grants.
- Identifying funding sources.
UNIT 2: Feasibility Assessments (3 hrs)
- Eligibility screening,
- Understanding Funder Priorities
- Understanding evaluation criteria,
- Application formats
- Assembling of a team
UNIT 3: Proposal Structure and Key Components (10 hrs)
- Executive Summary: Crafting a compelling opening.
- Statement of Need: Identifying and articulating the problem.
- Project Description: Developing goals, objectives, methods, and timelines.
- Impact pathway: Theory of Change
- Methodology: Designing methods and metrics to measure success.
UNIT 4: Writing Techniques and Best Practices (5 hrs)
- Writing clearly, concisely, and persuasively.
- Avoiding jargon and technical language.
- Storytelling techniques to engage funders.
- Formatting and
UNIT 5: Budgeting (5 hrs)
- Preparing detailed budget breakdowns.
- Understanding direct vs. indirect costs.
- Creating a budget narrative that aligns with project goals.
UNIT 6: Curriculum Vitae, Submission and Follow-up (2 hrs)
- Assembling the proposal package.
- Reviewing for completeness and compliance.
- Post-submission follow-up and funder communication.
UNIT 8: Ethical Considerations in Grant Writing (2 hrs)
- Transparency and accuracy in proposals.
- Avoiding conflicts of interest.
- Ensuring accountability and ethical project management.
UNIT 9: Collaboration (3 hrs)
- Building research networks/collaborations
- Strategies to nurture and manage networks
- Strategies f mutual benefit from collaborations
Course Lead Teacher: Dr. Progress Nyanga, CURP-University of Zambia