Most businesses approach grant writing as if it’s just another form to fill in. In reality, grant applications are scored like exams. Each section is marked against strict criteria, and assessors often have limited time to review. Grant writing mistakes slip in easily.
That means style, structure, and precision matter just as much as the idea itself. A strong project can fail if the bid is poorly written. A weaker project can sometimes succeed if it’s structured and scored well.
Unfortunately, many applications repeat the same errors. These grant writing mistakes cost businesses thousands in lost opportunities.
Grant Writing Mistake 1: Waffling Instead of Answering the Question
One of the biggest mistakes is writing long narrative paragraphs that don’t directly address the criteria.
For example, if the question is “How will your project be commercialised?”, weak applications simply restate the product description. Strong bids, by contrast, explain who will buy it, how much they’ll pay, and how the business will sustain revenue.
Transition tip: Always read the scoring sheet. If assessors award 10 marks, make sure your answer earns all 10.
Grant Writing Mistake 2: Overselling the Idea Without Evidence
Another common error is relying on big claims without backing them up.
Assessors see this regularly: phrases like “game-changing” or “world-leading” appear, but there is no market data, pilot results, or delivery plan to support the words.
Funders are not just investing in ideas. They are investing in delivery capability. Without evidence, overselling becomes a red flag.
Transition tip: Replace hype with proof. Use numbers, testimonials, or case studies where possible.
Grant Writing Mistake 3: Weak Executive Summaries
The executive summary sets the tone, even when it isn’t formally scored. Assessors often read it first to understand the project quickly.
Poor summaries bury the core message under jargon. Strong ones explain the project clearly in three sentences: what it is, why it matters, and how it will be delivered.
Transition tip: Draft the summary last, when you know exactly what the bid is saying.
How GrantPal Helps Avoid Mistakes
GrantPal was designed to help businesses avoid these common pitfalls. The platform:
- Provides structured prompts so answers stay aligned with funder criteria.
- Encourages evidence-led responses, reducing the temptation to oversell.
- Flags key sections like the executive summary, ensuring they receive proper focus.
By using GrantPal, teams can avoid the classic grant writing mistakes that sink applications and instead submit clear, credible, and competitive bids.
The Bottom Line
Grant writing is not about telling a story in the abstract. It is about answering questions directly, proving delivery, and showing credibility.
Businesses that learn from these mistakes improve their success rate dramatically. With structured support and smarter tools, GrantPal turns common grant writing mistakes into opportunities for stronger, more effective applications.
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