💡 Grant Writing Tip: How to demonstrate feasibility 

Grant writers need to be able to justify not just why the work should be done, but also that the work CAN be done. Feasibility hinges on three primary factors: 1) investigator skills and experience, 2) logistics of project scope, budget, and time frame, and 3) suitability of the planned methods. While expectations vary by funding opportunity, all sponsors want assurance that they are investing wisely. 

Here are a few ways to effectively demonstrate feasibility in your next proposal. 

Leverage investigator skills and experience

To showcase you and your team’s qualifications: 

• Tailor your biosketch(s): Customize your biographical documents for each funding opportunity.
• Connect experience with the project: Draw clear lines between your highlighted experience and the proposed work in your project description.
• Bridge gaps in experience: If you’re pivoting into a new-to-you research space, explain how mentors, training, and/or collaborators will fill any holes in expertise. 

Align your scope, budget, and timeline

Reviewers may flag a project as “not transformative enough” if it is too simple or small in scope, and a project as “too ambitious” if it is too large or complex. The key to finding the happy medium is to: 

• Include a timeline: Use a Gantt chart or timeline to clearly show how and when the work will be completed.
• Align your budget: Ensure the activities described in your proposal match your budget and budget justification.
• Be realistic: Plan for potential setbacks and adjustments in project plans. 

Validate your methodology

The feasibility of your project’s “how” is as important as the “what” and “who”. To demonstrate the suitability of your chosen methods: 

• Explain your choice in methods: Clearly describe why your chosen methods are the most suitable for the work.
• Address “What-ifs”: Outline how you plan to contend with potential technical challenges or pitfalls.
• Justify novel methodologies: Strengthen your case for using less proven methods by including preliminary data or external expertise where necessary. 

📌 Key takeaways

To convince reviewers that your project is a "sure bet", remember to: 

• Highlight specific, relevant experience of the investigator(s)
• Demonstrate clear project planning with a timeline and budget that match your narrative
• Mitigate risk by explaining your chosen methodology and your plan for potential challenges