Tips for Submitting a Winning Proposal To The Colin Powell Graduate Fellowship

The Colin Powell Graduate Fellowship in Leadership and Public Service Applications are open: here are some tips on how to submit a winning proposal

The Colin Powell Graduate Fellowship in Leadership and Public Service enables graduate students to use their developing academic expertise to address urgent social justice issues for African Americans and other underserved communities. It is an incredible way to develop your skills by working on an impactful project, while also receiving funding.

The application requires a project proposal that is compelling, detailed, and well thought out. Here are some tips for preparing a winning proposal.

1. Start with a Clear and Specific Problem Statement

Identify a pressing issue in your field or community. Be specific and concise, emphasizing its relevance to your field of study.

Frame the problem in a way that resonates with both academic and nonacademic audiences, showing its importance for both theory and application.

2. Define Realistic and Impactful Goals

Articulate your project’s objectives clearly. For example, will you develop a new initiative, test an intervention, or collect data to inform policy?

If your project is part of an existing program, clarify what your contribution will be.

Explain how these goals align with the work of your academic/community-based partner and your academic/professional goals.

3. Demonstrate a Strong Partnership

Describe your collaboration with a professor or community-based organization. Highlight how their expertise, resources, or networks will contribute to the project’s success.

If you already work at the organization that you want to partner with, explain how this project is separate from your day-to-day work.

Include a letter of support or endorsement from your collaborator, emphasizing their commitment to and alignment with your goals.

4. Outline a Feasible Methodology

Provide a clear, step-by-step plan detailing how you will carry out the project over nine months. Break it into phases (e.g., research design, data collection, analysis, dissemination).

Use appropriate methodologies for your field, and explain why these are best suited to address your research question or problem.

5. Include a Realistic Timeline and Budget

Create a detailed timeline, ensuring your activities are achievable within the nine-month period. Be mindful of deadlines and potential delays.

Provide as much information as possible to paint a clear picture of what your project deliverables are.

If a budget is required, outline anticipated costs (e.g., travel, materials, compensation for community participants) and ensure they are reasonable.

6. Highlight Broader Impacts

Emphasize how your project will contribute to academic knowledge, policy, or community practice. Be explicit about who will benefit and how.

If working with a community organization, explain how your research will directly address their needs or empower their stakeholders.

7. Demonstrate Your Qualifications

Showcase your skills, coursework, or previous experiences that prepare you to undertake this project successfully.

8. Write for a General Audience

Avoid jargon and write clearly, as reviewers may not all be experts in your subfield. Explain key terms and contextualize the significance of your project.

9. Revise and Seek Feedback

Share your draft with your advisor, colleagues, or writing support services for feedback. Multiple revisions will enhance clarity and coherence.

Pay attention to formatting and adhere to all application guidelines, including the word count. Use the full amount of space allotted to maximize the amount of information that you convey.

10. Show Enthusiasm and Vision

Convey passion for your project and its potential to make a difference. Show that you are invested in the outcome and excited to pursue this opportunity.

11. Proofread!

By following these tips, you’ll present a proposal that demonstrates feasibility, significance, and alignment with fellowship priorities. Good luck!

Example of a Project Timeline and Deliverables Outline:

Project Start and End Dates:
The overall timeframe of the project, marking the beginning and completion points.

Project Phases:
Breakdown of the project into distinct stages (e.g., planning, design, development, testing, analysis, launch/Results).

Milestones:
Significant points within each phase, identifying achievements or decision points.

Deliverables:
Tangible outputs expected under each milestone such as documents, findings, priorities, methodology (data collection methods: e.g., interviews, surveys, focus groups), reports, presentations, or completed features. You should provide an overview summary of your deliverable as well.

Example:

Phase #: Planning and Research

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff Meeting
- Deliverable: Project Scope Document – provide the groundwork for all project phases with sponsor.
  - Brainstorming to include all necessary details. This document serves as a reference point throughout the project lifecycle.
  - Deadline: Week 2 (February 10th -14th)
Milestone 2: Requirements Gathering
- Deliverable: User Needs Analysis – …
- Deadline: Week 4 (February 24th – 28st)
Milestone 3: Feasibility Assessment – …
- Deliverable: Project Plan Outline
- Deadline: Week 6 (March 10th -14th)