THE SUMMARY’S SIGNIFICANCE
If you consider the summary the “book jacket” of your proposal, you’ll realize that this is not some throwaway section that can be cranked out at the last minute or when you’re tired and weary. The summary is crucial. Significant funding decisions are frequently made on the basis of the summary alone. Accordingly, it deserves your undivided, careful attention. When you are writing the summary, word choice is important. Use dynamic, energetic words. Use the present or future tense. Avoid the passive voice. Be bold. Be brief.
In most cases, we don’t have a choice when it comes to being brief with the summary. Many grantmakers will prescribe that the summary must be limited to a certain number of words. It is common ...