Grant rejection. Ugh. It stings, doesn’t it? Especially for us writers who pour our solitary hearts into these proposals. It’s not just about losing out on funding; it feels like our work, our story, our very voice is being ignored or, worse, deemed not good enough. But here’s the thing: every time we get that “no,” we’re actually getting a powerful chance to grow, a roadmap for how to win next time. This isn’t about just dusting ourselves off and trying again. It’s about really digging in, analyzing everything, and committing relentlessly to getting better. I’m going to share a definitive, actionable guide to turn that grant rejection into a stepping stone, helping you secure funding for your incredibly vital writing projects.
The Moment It Happens: Dealing with the Emotional Rollercoaster
First things first, let’s talk feelings. You just got rejected. It’s okay to acknowledge that disappointment. Let yourself feel it for a moment, but whatever you do, don’t let it spiral into thinking you’re a terrible writer or that your work isn’t worthy. That’s a common and dangerous trap we fall into.
Think about it this way: instead of saying, “My writing isn’t good enough,” reframe it. Tell yourself, “My proposal didn’t quite meet this specific funder’s criteria at this particular time.” Separating your identity from the outcome is super important for being able to look at things objectively later.
Once that initial sting starts to fade, it’s time to get proactive. There’s no benefit in just letting it sit there.
The Absolute Essential First Step: Get That Feedback, No Matter What
This is the foundation of getting better. Without feedback, you’re just guessing. Some funders are great about providing it; others, not so much. Your job is to try every single way you can to get it.
Here’s how to do it:
- Read the Rejection Letter Super Carefully: Sometimes, there’s hidden feedback right in the letter itself. Did they encourage you to apply again? Did they mention how competitive this cycle was? These seemingly generic phrases can actually give you clues about how your submission stacked up against everyone else.
- Find the Contact Person: The rejection letter usually has a name or a department. That’s who you’re looking for.
- Write a Polite, Professional Request: Your tone here is everything. You’re looking for guidance, not demanding answers or complaining. Focus purely on learning.
Here’s an email template you can use:
Subject: Inquiry Regarding [Your Project Name] Grant Application – [Application ID, if applicable]
Dear [Contact Person Name or Grant Committee],
I recently received the notification about my application for the [Grant Program Name] grant, [Application ID, if applicable]. While I’m naturally disappointed, I’m really committed to improving my grant writing skills and making sure my future applications are as strong as possible.
Would it be possible to get any feedback on my proposal, especially concerning areas where it could have been stronger? Any insights you could offer, even brief ones, would be incredibly valuable in helping me understand how to improve for future opportunities, whether with your organization or others.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I truly appreciate the work you do to support writers.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number, optional] -
Be Reasonably Persistent: If you don’t hear back right away, follow up once or twice after about a week or ten days. If still nothing? It’s time to move on. Not all funders provide feedback, but you definitely want to give them the chance.
- Look for Indirect Feedback: If you can’t get direct feedback, scour the funder’s website, check out who got funded in the past, and read any reports or articles they’ve published. What kinds of projects do they champion? What are their priorities? This is important research before you apply, but it becomes even more insightful after a rejection.
Breaking Down the Feedback: Go Deeper Than the Surface
Once you have that feedback, whether it’s super clear or a bit vague, the real work begins. Don’t immediately dismiss anything critical or try to interpret vague statements away. Embrace them as valuable data.
Here’s how to analyze different kinds of feedback:
- Generic Feedback (“Highly Competitive,” “Strong Pool”):
- What it means: This often suggests your proposal was good, but not outstanding enough among many other quality submissions, or that they had way more strong applicants than funding. It doesn’t necessarily mean your project was flawed, but maybe it didn’t have that “wow” factor or a super compelling narrative that made it stand out.
- What to do: How can you take your proposal from “good” to “unforgettable”? This usually means really perfecting what makes your project unique, strengthening your distinctive voice, or highlighting a pressing need that only your writing can address.
- Specific Feedback on Project Design/Concept:
- What it means: This is gold! Did they say your method was unclear? Your timeline unrealistic? Your scope too broad or too narrow? Pay very close attention here.
- Example Feedback: “The project outline lacked sufficient detail regarding the proposed research methods for your historical novel, making it difficult to assess feasibility.”
- What to do: This is a direct instruction. If your research methods were vague, go back and rewrite that section. Include specific primary sources, archives you’ll visit, interview plans, etc. If your project was too ambitious, think about narrowing it down to a more manageable, fundable part.
- Feedback on Narrative/Artistic Merit:
- What it means: This can feel tricky because artistic merit feels subjective. But funders often look for a clear vision, demonstrable skill, and fresh approaches.
- Example Feedback: “While the premise is interesting, the excerpt provided didn’t fully convey the unique voice or urgency of the proposed poetry collection.”
- What to do: This tells you there was a disconnect in showing your craft. Re-evaluate your writing sample. Is it truly your absolute best work? Does it directly relate to the project you’re proposing? Consider having other writers or editors read it before your next submission. How can you make your passion for the project jump off the page?
- Feedback on Budget and Feasibility:
- What it means: Were your costs too high or too low? Were some items unjustified? Did they question if you could even complete the project with the budget you proposed?
- Example Feedback: “The proposed budget included a significant travel allowance without clear justification for its necessity given the nature of the project.”
- What to do: Rework your budget. Every single line item needs to be justified and directly connected to the project’s success. If travel is absolutely essential, explain exactly why it’s critical for research, interviews, or artistic inspiration. Be totally transparent and realistic.
- Feedback on Organizational Capacity/Your Qualifications:
- Your “organizational capacity” as a writer is your track record and relevant experience.
- What it means: Did the funder feel you didn’t have enough experience, publications, or connections to successfully finish the project?
- Example Feedback: “While the applicant’s passion is clear, the proposal did not adequately demonstrate prior experience in managing a project of this scale or a publication record relevant to the proposed literary form.”
- What to do: You need to beef up your biography, CV, and supporting materials. Highlight every single relevant publication, award, speaking gig, or professional development course you’ve taken. If you have gaps, think about how you can build that experience before you apply again (e.g., self-publish a chapbook, take a grant writing workshop, collaborate with another writer).
- Gaps and Silences in Feedback:
- What it means: If the feedback is super minimal, it often points to a basic mismatch or that nothing really stood out, good or bad. It implies nothing was specifically wrong, but nothing was exceptionally right either.
- What to do: This is where you become the detective. Reread the funder’s mission, their priorities, and the projects they’ve funded in the past. Did your proposal really line up perfectly? Was it absolutely clear why your project was a perfect fit for this specific funder? Could it have seemed “generic” or not tailored enough?
The Self-Audit: Going Beyond External Feedback
Even if you get explicit feedback, doing a thorough self-audit is crucial. This means putting yourself in the shoes of the grant reviewer – tired, short on time, and looking for reasons to say “no” as much as “yes.”
Here are the key areas to check:
- Did I Follow the Guidelines? This is the most common reason for rejection, and it’s totally avoidable.
- Checklist: Did I follow all formatting rules (font, margins, length)? Did I use the right file names and submission portal? Did I include all the required attachments? Did I answer every single question in the application, even if it seemed repetitive?
- Example: A really common mistake: “Please submit a 500-word project narrative.” And then you submit 600 words. Some systems automatically disqualify you for that.
- Is It Clear and Concise? Grant reviewers have hundreds of applications to read. Your proposal needs to be understandable instantly.
- Questions: Is my project idea crystal clear in the executive summary? Can someone who knows absolutely nothing about my field understand the core concept? Is there any jargon? Are my sentences lean and impactful?
- What to do: Read your proposal out loud. Have a trusted friend or colleague (preferably someone who isn’t a writer in your specific genre) read it. Did they get it? Where did they get stuck?
- Is There a Compelling Story/Sense of Urgency? For us writers, this is paramount. Your proposal isn’t just a technical document; it’s a story about your story and why it matters.
- Questions: Why this project? Why now? Why me? What unique contribution will my writing make? Who will benefit from it? Does the passion for the project shine through, not just abstract statements?
- Example: Instead of “I want to write a novel about family,” try “My novel explores the generational trauma of Appalachian coal miners through the lens of a mother and daughter, offering a voice to an underrepresented community and shedding light on the human cost of industrial decline.”
- Does It Align with the Funder’s Mission? I can’t stress this enough. Funders have very specific missions and values. If your project doesn’t directly advance them, you’re not a good match.
- Questions: Have I clearly shown how my project contributes to this specific funder’s goals? Have I used their language where it makes sense (e.g., if they focus on “community engagement,” have I detailed how my writing will engage a specific community)?
- What to do: Go back to their “About Us” page, their annual reports, and their 990 forms. Connect the dots between their stated goals and every single aspect of your project.
- How Strong are My “Pillar Sections”?
- Project Need/Problem Statement: Have you clearly identified a gap your writing fills, a voice it represents, or a question it answers?
- Project Goals/Objectives: Are they SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)? For writers, “measurable” might mean completing 50,000 words, submitting to 10 literary journals, or performing 3 readings.
- Methodology/Work Plan: Exactly how will you do this project? What are the steps, the timeline, the resources? Be precise.
- Evaluation: How will you know your project was successful? (Again, for writers, this could be publications, audience engagement, critical reception, or even personal artistic growth that feeds into future work).
- Qualifications/Bio: Have you highlighted relevant experience and accomplishments, not just a generic CV?
Strategic Revision: The Art of the Comeback
Now that you’re armed with feedback and your own audit, it’s time to revise. This isn’t just tweaking; it’s often a complete rethinking and reshaping of your proposal.
- Prioritize Feedback and Find the Root Causes: Don’t just treat symptoms; fix the underlying problems. If they said your research was unclear, the real issue might be a lack of detailed planning, not just poor writing.
- Revise with the Funder in Mind: Every change you make should be a direct response to the feedback or weakness you found, always keeping that specific funder’s priorities in mind (if you plan to reapply to them).
- Strengthen Your Core Narrative: Go back to those “Why this project, why now, why me?” questions. Can you make your unique contribution even more compelling? Can you articulate the impact of your writing more powerfully?
- Embrace Specificity: Replace vague statements with concrete details, examples, and verifiable plans.
- Bad: “My novel will explore complex themes.”
- Good: “My novel, The Last Season, will explore the complex themes of rural decline and resilience through the narrative of a multigenerational farming family struggling against corporate agriculture, drawing on oral histories gathered from [specific county] residents.”
- Refine Your Language: Polish every single sentence. Get rid of unnecessary words. Make sure everything is clear, cohesive, and concise. Your writing sample isn’t the only place where your writing skill is judged; the entire proposal shows off your craft.
- Get Fresh Eyes: After significant revisions, step away from the proposal for a few days. Then, come back with a fresh perspective. Even better, ask a trusted peer, mentor, or professional editor to review it. Tell them the feedback you received and ask if you’ve successfully addressed it.
What’s Next: Reapplying and Spreading Your Bets
Getting rejected by one funder doesn’t mean your project is flawed; it just means it wasn’t the right fit at that moment for that specific funder.
- Reapply if It Makes Sense:
- Same Funder: Only reapply to the same funder if you got very specific feedback and can show significant improvements that directly address their concerns. If they essentially said, “not a good fit,” it’s probably better to move on. But if they encouraged you to reapply, absolutely do it.
- New Cycle: Understand their grant cycle. Some funders only accept applications once a year; others have rolling deadlines.
- Context: Has anything changed in their priorities? Have you published new work or earned new credentials since your last application? Highlight these!
- Repurpose and Tailor for New Funders:
- Modular Approach: Think of your proposal like building blocks. You have core sections (project narrative, budget, bio, work plan). These can be adapted.
- Tailoring is Crucial: Never, ever, send a generic proposal to multiple funders. Each funder has unique priorities, audiences, and application questions. Tailor every single section to perfectly match their mission.
- Research, Research, Research: Before you apply to a new funder, do your homework. Look at their past grantees, their annual reports, their specific program guidelines. Who are they trying to help? What kind of writing do they value?
- Matchmaking: Your goal is to find the perfect marriage between your project and a funder’s mission. When you find that alignment, your chances of success go way up!
Example: A proposal for a novel about immigrant experiences in a city might be written differently for:
- A literary arts council (focus on artistic merit, literary quality, innovation in form).
- A social justice foundation (focus on educational impact, raising awareness of social issues, community engagement, addressing systemic inequities).
- A local community foundation (focus on relevance to the specific community, local impact, engagement with local organizations).
Building a Strong Grant Strategy
Getting past a rejection isn’t a one-time thing; it’s about building resilience for the long haul and continuously improving your approach.
- Build Relationships with Funders (Ethically): Attend their online info sessions, sign up for their newsletters, follow them on social media. Understanding their evolving priorities can give you an edge.
- Network Smartly: Connect with other writers who have successfully secured grants. Learn from their experiences. Join grant-writing communities or workshops.
- Keep Your Grant Writing Assets Ready: Maintain an updated folder with your best writing samples, a master CV, letters of recommendation, and templates for your budget and project timeline. This makes adapting for new applications much faster.
- Embrace a Growth Mindset: Rejection is just information, an opportunity to learn. It’s not a judgment on your talent or the value of your writing. Every “no” brings you closer to a “yes” if you learn from it.
- Diversify Your Funding Streams: Don’t rely only on grants. Explore crowdfunding, residencies that offer stipends, literary awards, self-funding strategies, and income from teaching or editorial work. Having multiple income streams provides stability.
- Celebrate Small Wins: The process of improving your proposal, getting good feedback, or finding new, perfectly aligned funders are all victories. Acknowledge your progress.
Being a writer often means facing rejection, whether it’s from agents, publishers, or grant committees. The ability to turn these inevitable setbacks into powerful springboards for future success isn’t just about survival; it’s the mark of a resilient, strategic, and ultimately successful writer. By diligently learning from every grant rejection, you’re not just improving your chances of securing funding; you’re honing your craft, sharpening your focus, and reaffirming the profound value of your work.