Making an application

The application is crucial and there are many mistakes that can be made which will end in your grant application being declined.

Mitchell Charlesworth grant specialists have years of experience in preparing grant applications and have first hand knowledge of what is require, expected and what will help to secure grant acceptance.

If you require help with preparing your application please contact your local office or contact Greg Harris direct on T: 0151 423 7500 or email: grants@mitchellcharlesworth.co.uk.

Before you apply

Make sure you have the following arrangements planned or in place:

• You have matching funds available to meet any grant you may receive
• You can describe your plans as a Project
• You have a written Business Plan

The Application

We strongly advise that you make personal contact, if possible, with the grant provider before completing the application documentation. It is at this stage you may need professional help as quite often applications fail because the wrong message is communicated to the grant body.

Make sure your application explains how the Project will meet the objectives of the awarding body. Include a work plan, including full costing. Pay particular attention to describing your business's track record - you are applying for public funds and those responsible for making the decision need assurance you will spend it wisely and ensure the Project completes.

Timescales

Generally, the more ‘local’ the awarding body, the quicker you are likely to get a decision.

Applications to your local authority, TEC or Business Link, for example, are likely to be resolved in a matter of days or weeks. National bodies have larger bureaucracies and will take longer, perhaps several weeks, to decide. Many awarding bodies have, or are considering speeding up the applications process by creating what are known as "Fast Track" procedures.

It is applications to European bodies, which take longest, and waiting times can easily stretch into months rather than weeks. This is partly due to bureaucracy but also to the nature of many European schemes.

Most European schemes are not constantly open to applications. Instead there are short periods during the course of the scheme's life when applications are considered. These periods are preceded by the issuing of notices known as ‘Calls for Proposals’ which are announced in the Official Journal published daily by the EC.

If you would like further details, please contact your local office or contact Greg Harris direct on T: 0151 423 7500 or email: grants@mitchellcharlesworth.co.uk.