Outline for an Assistive Technology Funding Proposal

The following outline is intended to provide an initial structure for the organization of ideas related to an application to a third-party for AT funding. REMEMBER that each funding program or agency will have their own requirements, format, and specific forms and that should be followed. This proposal outline contains the most common sections in most AT funding applications is intended as a starting point to help organize ideas. This outline can be used by an individual seeking funding for an AT intervention or by an agency or AT center seeking funding for a general AT application or AT-related research. 

• Purpose of Intervention or Program – This section introduces the AT intervention (for an individual) or program (for an agency or center) for which the funding is requested. It contains the description of the individual or group requesting AT as well as the purpose of the AT intervention or program. Since it is the initial introduction, it typically does not require as much detail as the justification section.
• Justification – This section describes the necessity for the AT intervention or program for which funding is being requested. A justification should include an in depth description of the AT user(s) as well as the benefits and necessity of this intervention or program at the group or individual level. As discussed on the previous page, this section allows for the applicant to make a detailed case as to why the AT should be funded.
• Literature/Research Review – This section should include documented information demonstrating the efficacy of similar interventions or programs. This section applies more to the request for funding for an AT program than an individual intervention, however, documentation of similar successful interventions can help the funding request.
• Methods – This section is where the implementation methods of the AT intervention or program are described. If the AT is requested as part of a research project, this section should be used to discuss how AT usage will be implemented. For individual AT interventions, this section can be used to discuss the support structure for the individual receiving the AT and their role in the implementation of the AT. Knowing that there is a strong support structure to act as resources and help promote the use of AT is seen as a positive by potential funding sources.
• Goals – This section should describe both the program or intervention’s short and long term goals and how progress toward these goals will be monitored. Discussing goals shows that there is a plan in place for the requested AT while also showing an expected time frame for use of this device. This helps to convince funding sources that the acquisition of this particular AT has been well thought out while also providing a reasonable timeline for when funding will be needed for a replacement barring unforeseen circumstances.
• Intervention or Program Evaluation Methods – If funding is being sought for a program, this section should describe how the effectiveness of the program  will be demonstrated. This includes the type of data that will be collected and how it will be analyzed. In terms of an individual AT intervention, this section should describe how often follow up visits will occur and what these visits will consist of. Providing this information shows a funding source that there is a plan to verify that the provided AT is being used effectively.

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