Comments on: Tools of the Trade—What a Grant Writer Should Have

By: Zan

Zan — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:45:11 +0000

Isaac & Jake, Have you considered putting together some music playlists based on grant writing scenarios? Today, I would tune in for Jake & Isaac’s Victory Mix (for that in-between day when you’ve just won a grant and can’t get focused on the next deadline).

Delenn, How’d you make the switch? I’d like to hear more about the mechanics of leaving a university for freelance work. -Z

By: Delenn

Delenn — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:26:32 +0000

I left the marble-covered hallways at Prestigious Research University for my small, not-so-tidy home office to continue to assist faculty in the six schools of health sciences edit (and often write) their federal and foundation grant applications. My companions are two Bernese Mountain dogs, two cats, and a hamster that escaped from my children’s room one month ago. I spend hours a day in my comfy, red chair and gaze at my beautiful 24 inch iMac. My second screen is a 20 inch Mac monitor; it is all that is left of my once oh-so-cool silver G4 Mac that still stores many, many versions of past grant applications. In a pinch I use my Windows XP laptop for grants.gov (but only when absolutely necessary, can’t wait for Adobe!), with an extra 19 inch external monitor connected to it. Finally, a hummingbird feeder is attached to my window, and the tiny helicopters take no notice of the larger woodpeckers and finches that compete for seeds and other goodies.

I have had no issues whatsoever during the past year collaborating with non-mac users. Microsoft 2008 for OS X is a joy. The real culprit is Vista! Simply confirm that your collaborator has Windows XP, and you’ll be set.

By: Teresa Cintrón

Teresa Cintrón — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:14:30 +0000

The idea of having multiple monitors, as in the movie “Minority Report”, should be a standard practice for grant writers. I use 4 monitors too and it helps me save a lot of time, ink and paper.

Another good “must have” tool I would like to add, is the fastest mobile internet connection you can buy.

By: Jake Seliger

Jake Seliger — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:43:16 +0000

I would discourage any grantwriting consultant from using a Mac as it will cause heartache for those trying to collaborate with non-Mac users.

Microsoft Office 2004 and 2008 for OS X use the same file formats as Office 2003 and 2007 for Windows. The same is true of Adobe CS 3.

I also would suggest NOT using Vista as it is not compatible with Grants.gov.

This used to be true but isn't any longer, as discussed in Grants.gov's FAQ.

By: Linda Procopio

Linda Procopio — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:21:31 +0000

I use a screaming-fast laptop for writing all my grant proposals, even though there are 4 desktops on my networked system. I like to be able to move about and work from anywhere in the office. Tools I think every proposal writer needs: ReadIris Pro to convert paper documents to electronic Word documents; and Adobe Pro to type into PDF forms. I would discourage any grantwriting consultant from using a Mac as it will cause heartache for those trying to collaborate with non-Mac users. I also would suggest NOT using Vista as it is not compatible with Grants.gov.

By: Angela

Angela — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:17:18 +0000

Confirmed laptop convert – use both a MacBook and a Toshiba with Windows XP, as some clients are Mac-phobic and literally break out in hives when I try to explain that the Word for Mac application actually works occasionally. Clients in two states who like face-to-face meetings mean a laptop is essential – and I’ve adapted…