Grant Writing for Nonprofits & Researchers

A study material for nonprofit staff and researchers who prepare funding applications. It explains how to read funder guidelines, describe a need or research question clearly, set out aims, methods and budgets, and edit an application so reviewers can quickly see what is proposed and why.

Levels4

Starting from265 credits

Choose a level

About this study guide

Grant applications ask for a lot of information in a limited space, and each funder has its own format and priorities. This self-study resource breaks the process into manageable parts. It starts with finding suitable funding opportunities and reading guidelines carefully, then moves on to writing a needs statement or research background, setting measurable aims and objectives, describing methods and activities, and presenting a budget with a clear justification. You will also look at writing summaries and abstracts, explaining how results will be evaluated, and editing for clarity and word limits. The material does not decide whether an application is funded, but it helps you present your work in an organised, readable way. Four levels, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert, can be studied at your own pace.

Each level is unlocked on its own

Choose a level

Compare the levels below and add the one that fits you to your cart

Level 1 / 4

Beginner

What you will study

You will study finding suitable funding opportunities, checking eligibility, understanding common application sections, writing a short summary of your project and organising your ideas into a simple outline that follows the funder's format.

Who this level is for

Begin here if you are new to grant applications. This level explains how funders work, what a typical application asks for and how to read guidelines carefully before you write a single word.

What you will be able to do

After this level, you should be able to identify funding opportunities that fit your work, read their guidelines accurately and draft a clear project summary and outline for an application.

Level 2 / 4

Intermediate

What you will study

Topics include writing a needs statement or research background, setting measurable aims and objectives, describing methods and activities, explaining how results will be evaluated, and presenting a budget with a clear justification for each cost.

Who this level is for

Suited to learners who understand the basics of grant applications, this level focuses on writing the main sections in full, with attention to logic, evidence and the funder's stated priorities and word limits.

What you will be able to do

You should be able to write a complete draft of the core sections of a grant application, with aims, methods, evaluation and budget that support each other logically and consistently throughout.

Level 3 / 4

Advanced

What you will study

You will study writing abstracts and lay summaries, presenting collaborative projects with several partners, tailoring one project to different funders, editing to meet tight word limits, and reviewing a full application against the assessment criteria.

Who this level is for

This level is for learners with solid grant-writing experience who prepare larger or more competitive applications, often with several partners, complex budgets and strict word limits that demand careful choices.

What you will be able to do

By the end, you should be able to adapt a project for different funders, write clear abstracts and summaries, and check a complete application against its criteria before submission. Funding decisions remain with the funder.

Level 4 / 4

Expert

What you will study

Topics include coordinating contributions from several authors, writing a consistent narrative across long applications, revising unsuccessful applications using reviewer comments, planning a pipeline of applications and helping colleagues improve their own grant writing.

Who this level is for

At the Expert level, experienced grant writers refine their approach to large, multi-year or multi-partner applications and learn to manage the difficult trade-offs between ambition, feasibility and the space available on the page.

What you will be able to do

You will be able to lead complex, multi-author applications, keep a consistent argument throughout, learn systematically from reviewer comments and support others in writing clear, well-organised proposals for a range of funders.

Levels are unlocked with credits from your balance. You can buy more credits whenever you need them.