MPH Capstone Project

A grant proposal is an organized, persuasive request for funding for an intervention to address a specific issue or problem. In public health, this request for funding can be directed to foundations, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies, such as local/state health departments or federal health agencies. A grant proposal is also a means by which an organization can engage a funder as a partner in impacting change within communities to improve health outcomes. In PUB-620, you explored and practiced preparing some of the elements of a grant proposal, including goals and objectives, an implementation plan, and a budget.

A completed grant proposal, in practice, will vary depending on the requirements of the funder. For the purposes of this course, your final grant proposal should include the following components:

I. Abstract/Summary – A one-page summary of the overall intervention – placed at the beginning of your final proposal (before the Background/Review of Literature) for submission at the end of Week 16.

II. Background and Review of Literature – A summary of the previous research and history relevant to a proposed intervention.

III. Statement of Need – Facts and evidence to support the need for a proposed intervention. This should also describe and establish the requesting organization’s ability to address the need.

IV. Description of Proposed Intervention – Description of what you intend to do. It answers the questions, “What is your proposed intervention?” and “Why is it important?” and builds a case for why you should be funded.

V. Goals and Objectives – Goals are the overall statements of what the proposed intervention intends to accomplish. Objectives reflect the steps toward achieving the goals. Objectives should be developed using S.M.A.R.T. criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-Oriented).

VI. Methodology and Design – Description of the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be used to accomplish the stated goals and objectives; answers the question “How will you accomplish your stated objectives?” as well as “Why is this the best approach?”

VII. Implementation Plan – A description and timeline of the specific planned activities related to the proposed intervention, data collection tools, identification of who will complete the activities, and what outcomes will be achieved. The implementation plan should be presented in a table format.

VIII. Evaluation Framework and Plan – Outlines the plan for determining the success of the project during implementation (process evaluation) and at the end of implementing the project (outcome evaluation). Process and outcome measures should be described, including what data are needed and how data will be collected to determine success.

IX. Dissemination of Intervention Outcomes – Description of your communication strategy to stakeholders regarding the results of this intervention. Answers the questions, “Who will you target?” and “How will you communicate results?”

X. Budget and Budget Narrative – Outlines the funding requested for the proposed intervention. Budget narrative should provide justification for the requested funds and indicate how the proposed intervention will be sustainable after funding ends. Present the budget in a table format, followed by the budget narrative.

XI. References

Deliverables

The deliverables for your grant proposal will be submitted in WEEKS 5, 8, 12, and 16. For WEEKS 5, 8, and 12, you will work on three separate parts of your project, according to the deliverable schedule provided below. In Week 16, you will submit your final, completed project, including all revisions or suggested edits made by your instructor.

For each of the four deliverables (Parts 1-3 and Final Project), include a copy of the appropriate rubric (provided in this Capstone Guide) at the end of the deliverable. Your instructor will use this rubric when reviewing and grading the deliverable.

Descriptions of the four deliverables, including criteria, requirements, and instructions for completion are provided below:

MPH Capstone Project Part 1 (Week 5)

The Background and Review of Literature section synthesizes the literature related to your health issue. This section should be structured so that it summarizes previous research and history relevant to your health issue and proposed intervention, as well as how your proposed intervention, program/project, service, or initiative will help to address the health issue. You will also describe the problem this intervention addresses and the need for the proposed intervention. A helpful resource, “PUB-690: Literature Review Summary Table” (ATTACHED), has been provided to assist you with organizing and preparing your literature review. This template can be used to summarize 10-15 scholarly sources related to your chosen health issue. The table allows you to summarize the research studies you will use as evidence for your capstone option. The essential components of each study, such as research design, study characteristics, data collection methods, and key findings, are to be added in each section of the template to help you evaluate each study’s scientific merit, strengths, and limitations. The deliverable should be between 1,500 and 1,750 words, and will include these parts of your capstone project:

II. Background and Review of Literature — A summary of the previous research and history relevant to a proposed intervention.

III. Statement of need — Facts and evidence to support the need for a proposed intervention. This should also describe and establish the requesting organization’s ability to address the need.