CVEN 5837: Special Topics - Solution Identification & Proposal Development

In-person, Spring, Second 5 weeks, 1 Credit, Tu/Th 2:30-3:45pm

Instructor: Carlo Salvinelli

Course Information

This is a project-based course. An overview of strategies and best practices to develop effective grant proposals for international development interventions, and major funding mechanisms and processes will be presented. Students will work in teams with a local or international NGO to develop a concept note for a current request for proposal. The proposal will be based on the information provided and collected about the local context and on the NGO’s experience and expertise; it will also have to respect priorities and requirements of beneficiaries, principles and goals of the NGO, and guidelines of the donor.

Learning Goals

• Describe major funding mechanisms and processes for global development programs.
• Explain the best practices to develop effective grant proposals for international development interventions.
• Design a proposal for an international development project, by examining priorities and requirements of beneficiaries, donors, and NGOs in an assigned context.

Textbooks and Materials

There is no required text. Readings will consist of textbook chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles and reports. All required readings will be provided through Canvas. Check regularly on Canvas for information about lecture content, readings and assignments.

Course Calendar (subject to change)

Assignments

Participation (15% of final grade): class participation is an essential component of the requirements for successful completion of this course. Points for class participation are not simply guaranteed by attendance (which is required); participation consists of being present in class, reading all assignments prior to the beginning of class, and being an active member in class discussions and presentations, and be an effective team member.

Assignment - Looking for funding opportunities (10% of final grade): Students will choose a region and a topic of interest, identify at least one funding opportunity, and describe it following the example showed in class.

Project (75% of final grade) - Students will work in teams with a local or international NGO to develop a concept note for a current request for proposal (Links to an external site).

• Literature review assignments (20% of project grade): Students will research on topics related to the Request For Application (RFA) and submit a document summarizing the major findings.
• Draft ToC / Results Chain / Log Frame (15% of project grade): Students will present in class a draft of the Result Chain
• Final presentations (15% of project grade): Students will present the proposal in class. Directions will be given in class and posted in Canvas.
• Concept note (25% of project grade): students will develop a concept note for a current RFA. The proposal will have to respect priorities and principles of the proposing NGO, and the guidelines and requirements of the donor.

Late Policy

The grade for late assignments will be reduced by 10 percentage points (on a 100 point scale) per day that the assignment is late. We may agree to make exceptions to this policy on a very limited basis, provided that the reason is very compelling and provided that you ask in advance.

Extra Credit (TBD points)

Extra credit assignments are not anticipated but may arise as the course progresses. 

Exams

There will be no exams in this course. 

Grading Scheme

Grades will be recorded in Canvas throughout the course. At the end of the term, the scores on all assignments are weighted by the percentages given above to determine a course score. Student grades will be determined as follows based on their course score rounded to the nearest single decimal place: