基金申请意向书写作

Feb 11, 2024 2043 words 5 minutes

Contents

写作说明

参考资料

Writing a Letter of Intent

来源：https://writingcenter.uagc.edu/writing-letter-intent

What is a letter of intent?

A letter of intent is a proposal describing and explaining your intentions. The letter is a formal and professional document, focusing on a specific audience and purpose. The letter of intent is an important step in a project, as it typically must get approval before any work can begin.

Note that the term “letter of intent” is sometimes applied to types of writing that vary from the proposal-based letters of intent described here. Always review any instructions provided to you for completing the letter of intent.

When is a letter of intent used?

A letter of intent is used in both the academic and business setting.

In the academic setting, it may be required before beginning work on a large academic research project. The letter of intent would require approval from an instructor or program chair before the research project can begin.

In the business setting, it may be requested as part of an application for employment or before working on a large business project. It may also be submitted when requesting to build a business relationship with another company. Approval of your letter of intent is needed before beginning a new employment, project, or partnership.

What is included in a letter of intent?

Instructions for an application, proposal, or project may include information on what should be included in the letter of intent. There could be varying expectations for the content and style of writing for the letter of intent depending on the project you are submitting it for. Always review and apply any specific instructions you are given.

Generally speaking, a letter of intent will include the following:

An introduction of why you are making this proposal. This could be a problem you have identified, a research opportunity you want to explore, a project you’d like to lead, an educational program you’d like to join, or a job opportunity you’d like to fill.
What you are proposing to do. Think of this as a project statement or summary. This may be referred to as a statement of purpose. What is your overall purpose? Do you plan to solve a problem, answer a research question, complete a new project, gain additional education, take on a new position?
What you have done to prepare and how you will complete the task. If you are proposing a solution to a problem, what is your plan for solving it? If you are answering a research question, what information do you already have, what will you still need to collect, and how will you complete the study? For a business proposal, what are the details of the project, who will be involved, and what is needed? If applying for an educational opportunity or job, what qualifications do you have and how can you be an asset to the program or organization?

Writing a Letter of Intent

If there are instructions provided for the application, proposal, or project you are working on, be sure to follow those explicitly. As a formal and professional written communication, you can also use the following tips when writing the letter of intent:

Know your specific audience and write directly to them. Anticipate questions your audience may have and try to answer those within your writing.
Focus on your purpose—getting the proposal accepted so you can perform the work you are proposing. Incomplete proposals, unclear project parameters, or missing statements of purpose can lead to rejected or returned proposals.
Organize your writing into clear, direct, and concise paragraphs.
After drafting your letter of intent, revise it for completeness, clarity, and effective organization. It is a good practice to share your letter with a trusted friend, colleague, or mentor to assure that you are accomplishing what you set out to do in your writing. Polish your final draft before submitting to ensure your writing is error free.

What is A Letter of Intent/Inquiry and How Do I Write a Great One?

https://www.ias.edu/sites/default/files/media-assets/Guidance%20Doc_LOI.docx.pdf

A Letter of Intent/Inquiry (LOI) is an opportunity to introduce your proposed project to a funder and to elicit feedback that hopefully leads to an invitation to submit a full proposal. A letter of inquiry is not a vague exploration of an idea. It should be well-conceived, and include a budget, although in an abbreviated form.

An LOI is often the first step in seeking support from private funding sources (i.e. corporations and foundations). Many will request an LOI as the first phase in a funding competition, only inviting to the full submission phase those applicants whose LOIs piqued their interest.

Technique

The Letter of Inquiry should be brief, but convincing. Use your words smartly. Avoid jargon and DO NOT simply copy and paste text written for a different application into your LOI – it is very rare that anything can be recycled verbatim, and this is particularly the case with an LOI where space is limited and impact is critical.

Write as if you are making a logical, persuasive argument based on need and capacity to meet that need, and be sure you are answering these critical questions:

What is the problem?
Why is it important to address this problem now?
What is your solution?
Why are you the one to do the proposed work?
Why are they the best funder to support it?

The most compelling case for support directly relates your project to the funder’s interests and perspective. Know what your potential funder is passionate about. Look at the funder’s website, research the funder’s interests and past interactions with your organization, review the organization’s 990s. Address these interests in your Statement of Need and you will compel them to read on.

Contents of an LOI

A Letter of Inquiry is a condensed version of a full proposal, usually two to three pages, but sometimes as little as one page in length. If a funder specifies the format and length of an LOI, follow those directions and do not exceed the page limit.

In the absence of a funder-specified format, a typical LOI will include:

Opening Paragraph

This serves as your summary statement or abstract and should be able to stand alone. If the reviewer reads nothing else, he or she should understand your proposal idea from this paragraph.

The Opening Paragraph should answer the following questions:

Who wants to do what?
How much are you requesting and over what period?
Is this a portion of a larger project cost?

The Opening Paragraph may indicate if the LOI is a response to an RFP or may make the connection between the foundation’s interest and your project.

Keep this paragraph short. You will have time later for explaining your rationale, your methodology, and for establishing your credibility.

Statement of Need (1-2 paragraphs)

This section answers the “why” of the project.

Explain what issue you are addressing.

Articulate why you are responding to the issue(s) in the way that you have.

State briefly the importance of this project in the field in which you will be working.

Note who benefits.

Project Activity (The bulk of the document)

This section answers the “what” and “how” of the project.

Give a general overview of the activities involved. Give more detailed information to the degree that space allows.

Highlight why your approach is novel and merits special attention.

Indicate any collaborations with other organizations and what their roles will be, and be specific about who does what.

Anticipated Outcomes (1-2 paragraphs)

State the specific outcomes you plan to achieve.

Indicate how evaluation is part of the project – how will you know you have achieved these outcomes.

Credentials (1-2 paragraphs)

Demonstrate why your institution or your staff is best equipped to carry out this activity.

Put relevant historic background about the institution here.

Do not attach bios compiled for other opportunities (for example, NIH or NSF) as these are too long and follow a recognizable, federally-specified format. Instead, highlight information such as awards, rankings, and tangible measure that set you and your team apart from other applicants.

Budget (1-2 paragraphs)

State the total project cost and the amount requested from the funder. Indicate broad categories of activities to be funded. Include other sources of funding, both cash and in-kind. Especially indicate what the university or school will contribute. Do not overlook the value of all in-kind contributions, including those of collaborators.

Closing (1 paragraph)

Offer to provide any additional needed information.

Give a contact name and contact information for follow-up. Indicate if one person is the administrative contact and another is the program contact.

Express appreciation for the reader’s attention and/or the opportunity to submit if it is in response to a RFP.

Ask to submit a full proposal.

Signature

Generally it is best to have the highest ranking person available sign the letter. This indicates institutional support.

A simple template

To: <Name main applicant, <Main applicant’s institute>

Subject: Letter of Intent to <project title> in Research for Sustainable Fisheries – Short Innovation Projects [In Dutch Onderzoek voor Duurzame Visserij – Korte Onderzoekstrajecten]

<Place, date>

Dear <Name main applicant>,

As <name of your organisation>, we are very interested in participating in the research proposal <title project proposal>.

<Insert your interest in the project and the research group(s)> You can explain why answering the research question is important for your organisation and what your expectations with regards to utilisation/application are. How does this solution fit in your organisation’s strategy?

It is advised to include:* * <We will actively participate in the User Committee (UC) established at the start of project implementation. We will comply with the applicable terms and conditions for participation. This includes the arrangements on Intellectual property and & publication>

Yours sincerely,

<signature>............................................

写作示范

To office of Research Funding and Services,

Subject: Letter of Intent to TRG2024 for AI system for enzyme optimization [KAUST]

KAUST, Feb 17, 2024

Dear <Name main applicant>,

As <name of your organisation>, we are very interested in participating in the research proposal <title project proposal>.

It is advised to include:

Yours sincerely,