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As we learned before,

receiving the grant is not the end of the writing process; because all

the steps of the research should be accompanied by reports on processing.

Progress reporting is an essential activity of project management.

The project manager issues regular reports on progress against budget,

schedule, and scope.

Usually funders require quarterly reports and final reports,

plus to then annual reports and necessary if the project lasts longer than a year.

The dates are typically stated in the word letter.

As I mentioned in lesson four, appointing a person responsible for

this task will make the work less stressful for the whole team.

Now, we're going to discuss the information that is supposed to be covered

in such reports.

As you will see,

the bulk of the work was done when you were writing the text of the proposal.

And your job now is mainly to add experimental data, and

transfer the whole project description from the planned to the implemented stage.

First, as we have done several times before,

provide a brief overview of the original goals and objectives.

What was the rational behind the development of this project?

Then, you describe the activities that took place during this period.

What kind of materials or

specimens were involved and what target audience participated in those activities?

How did you reach them?

Besides, you provide a brief summary,

not more than two pages of the findings or the accomplishments of the project.

If it is an interim report, it can even be shorter as you do not know yet

whether the project met the objectives set forth in the original proposal or not.

However, don't forget about patentability if you're interested in one,

don't disclose more information than necessary.

You also state what internal and

external factors contributed to or impeded the research process.

How the problems were dealt with?

Mind that if you haven't overcome some obstacles that slows or

imperils the project, write it straightforward in the report.

So that the grant program manager could assist you.

If there were any personnel changes mentioned it in the report, and

comment on how this affected the project.

And if roles have been significantly reconsidered

in comparison with those mentioned grant's proposal.

Mention it in the report as well.

If there is some unexpected results, describe them in the report on processing.

They can become a starting point for the next project.

If the results or the research have been conveyed to a broader audience,

let the funder know about it.

You could have participated in a conference with the findings or

taken part in an interview or published an article.

It is advisable to provide the funder

with several copies of your publications if there are any.

If possible, provide information on what your work means to community.

Letters from community members are often welcome to include in the report.

So that the broader impact of the research could be visible to the founder.

If you prepare the final report, state what you

anticipate will be the longer-term effects of the outcome of the project.

Do you expect the results of the project to stimulate further activity or

research in this subject area?

Or what is the project's value as a model of demonstration of new techniques or

approaches that could be replicated elsewhere?

Besides, describe the impact this project had on your institution or organization.

Will it continue to work on this issue or area?

Finally, did the original project budget prove to be feasible and why?

If the original budget did not prove feasible, why did this happen and

how was the project affected?

List sources and amounts of any additional funding received.

Keeping people updated ensures they remain involved and committed.

Regular communication is essential to the well being of the project.

So common failings in this area are poor communication,

unwillingness to communicate bad news or not asking for help if it is needed.

It's better to inform the grantmaker about arising difficulties

as soon as possible so that you had time to work out some solution.

Regular progress reporting creates and

variable written record of a proposal of the project's life.

Later, you can look back and decide how to improve the running of future projects.

Reports on Processing

Grant Proposal

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