The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize you with search tools/resources that are available on-line for this class. I have set up a page of links connected to a class site on the web. To get to these, you can go to: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/birmingh/teaching/grants/administrative/grantlink.htm Or, go to the course web site: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/birmingh and follow the links through the grants class. I would like you to spend some time just looking around—but keep track of your searches so you can find things again. Use a search worksheet or a proposal opportunity worksheet to help you stay organized.

1. Check out the SPIN search engine—SPIN-Plus. Try a few preliminary searches for info that interests you and will be a possible area of research for your individual grant project.
   
   
2. Look at least one federal grant program carefully: NIH, NSF, NEH, NEA, FISPE, etc. Think about what projects you are interested in that could get funding through these programs.

• take some notes

• print a copy of the anything interesting
  
  3. Try a few general google searches. Search for terms like "request for proposals".

• print a request for proposal or a call for proposal for a business interest.
  
  4. Search for information on writing grants.

• Find some kind of tip sheet that offers pointers. (Print for next week.)

• Find at least one example of a sample structure—something that offers ideas for organizing a proposal.

• Take notes on the sample structure or print a copy for next week.

Bring to class next week:

• at least three documented searches (on worksheet, or if more promising, on the proposal planning sheet).
• notes on a sample structure (or a sample structure).
• a RFP
  
  Be sure to read chapters 1-4 in the text.

  Back to grants index