grant-proposal-writing

Grant Proposal Writing

Scaffolds and drafts grant proposals: structured funding applications with theory of change, logframe, budget narrative, and funder-aligned framing.

Before Starting

Ask the user:

1. Who is the funder? (Name, type: foundation, government, bilateral aid, etc.)
2. What are the funder's stated priorities? (User provides or we search.)
3. What is the proposed programme/project?
4. What is the budget range?
5. Is there a specific template or format required?
6. What is the deadline?

Default Structure

(Override with funder's template if provided.)

Executive Summary (1 page max)

• Problem (1 sentence)
• Proposed solution (2–3 sentences)
• Expected impact (2–3 sentences)
• Budget ask and duration

Problem Statement

• Specific, evidence-based description of the problem
• Why it matters to the funder's priorities
• Why now — what makes this moment the right time to act
• Why Takshashila — institutional fit and prior work
• Sources: peer-reviewed research, government data, credible think tank reports

Proposed Programme/Project

• Objectives (SMART)
• Key activities
• Timeline with milestones
• Deliverables

Theory of Change

Inputs → Activities → Outputs → Outcomes → Impact

• Make causal logic explicit at each step
• State assumptions underlying each causal link
• Identify key risks

Team and Institutional Capacity

• PI and team credentials (brief)
• Takshashila's relevant track record
• Partnerships, if any

Budget and Justification

• Line items with justification
• No unexplained lump sums
• Indirect cost rate if applicable

Monitoring and Evaluation

• How will outputs and outcomes be measured?
• Who will verify?
• What will the funder receive and when?

Sustainability

• What happens after the grant period?
• Is continued funding sought, or is the project self-terminating?

Theory of Change Template

## Theory of Change

**Problem**: [Specific problem statement]

**Our Intervention**: [What Takshashila will do]

**Causal Logic**:
- If we [Activity 1], then [Output 1], because [Mechanism/Assumption]
- If [Output 1] is achieved, then [Outcome 1], because [Mechanism/Assumption]
- If [Outcome 1] is achieved, then [Impact], because [Mechanism/Assumption]

**Key Assumptions**:
1. [Assumption 1]
2. [Assumption 2]

**Key Risks**:
1. [Risk 1] — Mitigation: [How we address it]
2. [Risk 2] — Mitigation: [How we address it]

Process

1. Collect funder information (website, past grants, stated priorities).
2. Draft ToC first — align with user before drafting full proposal.
3. Draft executive summary — get approval before full draft.
4. Draft full proposal section by section.
5. Check: every claim about the problem is sourced; every budget line is justified.
6. Apply writing-anti-ai pass.
7. Offer to export to Google Docs.

Quality Checklist

• Problem statement is specific and evidenced
• Theory of change is explicit (not implied)
• Objectives are SMART
• Outputs/outcomes/impact are distinguished
• Budget fully justified
• M&E plan is concrete
• Funder priorities reflected (not distorted)
• No AI writing tells