# Developing a Federal Grant Application Course

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/developing-a-federal-grant-application-course>

## Overview

Developing a Federal Grant Application is a two-day, practice-focused course that covers the full process of preparing a compliant, competitive federal grant application. The course focuses on translating funding opportunity requirements into clear, responsive components that align program design, budgets, performance measures, and compliance expectations.

Participants learn to analyze funding opportunity announcements, interpret eligibility and selection criteria, develop coherent narratives, build compliant budgets, and integrate evaluation and sustainability considerations while avoiding common weaknesses that lead to disqualification, low scores, or post-award complications. Applied exercises and realistic examples strengthen participants’ ability to submit complete, organized applications that demonstrate readiness to manage federal funds and support successful award and implementation.

## What you'll learn

- Analyze funding opportunity announcements and application instructions
- Interpret eligibility, selection criteria, and program priorities
- Translate program concepts into responsive application narratives
- Develop compliant budgets and budget justifications
- Align performance measures with program objectives
- Integrate compliance, risk, and capacity considerations into applications
- Identify common application errors and disqualifying issues
- Coordinate roles across program, fiscal, and leadership staff
- Prepare applications that support successful award management
- Submit complete, organized, and compliant federal applications

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Understanding the Federal Grant Application Process

- Explain the federal grant application lifecycle.
- Identify applicant roles and responsibilities.
- Recognize differences across agencies and programs.

#### Module 2: Interpreting the Funding Opportunity Announcement

- Analyze FOA structure and required sections.
- Identify eligibility and threshold requirements.
- Interpret selection and scoring criteria.

#### Module 3: Program Design and Narrative Development

- Develop clear problem statements and objectives.
- Align activities with funding priorities.
- Avoid common narrative weaknesses.

#### Module 4: Budget Development and Cost Considerations

- Build budgets consistent with program design.
- Apply cost principles to budget development.
- Prepare clear budget justifications.

#### Module 5: Performance Measures and Evaluation

- Define outputs, outcomes, and indicators.
- Align performance measures with program goals.
- Integrate evaluation expectations into applications.

#### Module 6: Organizational Capacity and Readiness

- Demonstrate organizational capability and experience.
- Address staffing, systems, and partnerships.
- Respond to capacity-related evaluation criteria.

#### Module 7: Compliance, Risk, and Certifications

- Identify compliance representations and assurances.
- Address risk and oversight considerations.
- Avoid disqualifying compliance errors.

#### Module 8: Partnerships, Subawards, and Letters of Support

- Structure partnerships appropriately.
- Distinguish subrecipients from contractors.
- Prepare effective letters of commitment.

#### Module 9: Application Review, Quality Control, and Submission

- Conduct internal reviews for completeness and compliance.
- Apply quality control checks.
- Manage submission systems and deadlines.

#### Module 10: From Application to Award Readiness

- Anticipate post-award requirements during application development.
- Align application content with award implementation.
- Prepare for pre-award risk assessment and negotiation.

## Schedule
- Oct 28, 2026 – Oct 29, 2026 — Live Online

## Instructors

### Seitu Stephens, J.D. — Instructor

Seitu I. Stephens, J.D., is a nationally recognized trainer and consultant in federal grants management, compliance, and program oversight. With more than two decades of experience working with federal, state, territorial, and nonprofit organizations, he specializes in helping agencies and grant recipients design, manage, and monitor federally funded programs in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200).

Mr. Stephens has trained hundreds of grant professionals across government agencies, community-based organizations, and institutions of higher education. His instruction focuses on practical strategies for managing federal awards, structuring and monitoring subawards, ensuring financial accountability, preparing for audits, and strengthening internal controls to protect federal funds and program outcomes.

He has developed and delivered numerous professional development courses on topics including grant program design, risk assessment, subrecipient monitoring, procurement under federal awards, and audit preparation. His courses combine regulatory expertise with real-world case studies that help participants translate complex federal requirements into effective operational practices.

In addition to his training work, Mr. Stephens advises organizations on strengthening grant management systems, improving compliance frameworks, and building sustainable partnerships between government agencies and community-based organizations.

Mr. Stephens holds a Juris Doctor degree and is widely respected for his engaging instructional style and his ability to make complex federal grant regulations clear, practical, and actionable for practitioners.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1050