Enhancing a Grant Proposal

Match the right project idea to the right funding agency and submit a well written proposal

Five Essential Points

* mission statement -- objectives/goals
* justification -- why should you be funded?
* procedures -- who will administer, etc.
* evaluation -- who will do it, when, how
* budget -- payroll, equipment/supplies, sub-contractors, etc.

Investor's Main Interests

* how will money be used
* current and expected profits
* growth and stability
* future cash needs
* risk levels expected

Proposal Summary

* be concise, specific, and compelling
* build credibility for your organization
* need to reinforce the connection b/w you and the funder
* establish a context for your problem statement
* who, what, when, why, and how much

Problem Statement

* zero in on a specific problem you want to solve or an issue you want to address
* do not make assumptions of the reviewers
* use statistics to support existence of your problem or issue
* make a connection b/w the issues and your organization
* make a case for your project locally, not just nationally
* demonstrate your knowledge
* set up the delivery for your goals and objectives

Project Objectives

* goals are general and offer the evaluation and understanding of the program
* objectives need to be specific, measurable outcomes.  They need to be realistic, attainable
* objectives help solve problem or address the issue
* do not confuse objectives with methods
* be realistic

Project Methods or Design

* need to describe in detail the activities that will take place to achieve desired results
* make sure your methods are realistic
* describe why you have chosen these activities; justify them
* show your knowledge of the bigger picture
* include a timetable of major milestones

Tips for Project Evaluation

* summative and formative evaluation
* a plan to evaluate the project that measures how well you have met objectives
* formative evaluatttion is a plan to evaluate the project during its execution; used to make changes later
* if you have a problem developing the evaluation, take another look at your objectives
* be ready to begin evaluation as you begin your project

Tips for the Budget

* 3 parts: 1) Personnel (Salaries, Benefits, Contracts); 2) Non-Personnel (Space, equipment, supplies); 
3) indirect cost--overhead
* should correlate to objectives and methods--ex. timelines
* justify requests for salary
* if you plan to hire include a position description
* a match shows commitment on your part
Absolute Priority:
Conditions which MUST be met to be considered.
Invitational Priority:
Funding agency would LIKE to see.
Contract, Program, and Project Officer
Staff members of funding agency and recipient.
Deadline
Final date for proposal submission (send certified mail).
Preliminary Proposal
Short version--funding agency review and comments
Prime Contractor
Serves as the grant award recipient--responsible.
Review Criteria
"Write to the criteria"--KNOW how it will be rated!
Review Panel
Typically 3 experts who review proposals for funder.

Research Papers

Abstract
Introduction
Purpose
Need for the Study
Research Question
Hypotheses
Definition of Terms
Assumptions
Limitations
Review of the Literature
The Pilot Study
The Study/Method
Subjects
Instrumentation/Apparatus
Design and Procedure
Data Analysis
Summary/Results
Conclusions/Discussion
    Hypothesis 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.
Recommendations/Conclusions/ Future Research
References

ASKLEPIA GRANT PROPOSAL 1

Objective: to conduct a longitudinal, medically-supervised study of the effect of the Consciousness Restructuring Process on the symptomology of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

ABOUT FIBROMYALGIA (FM)
and CONSCIOUSNESS RESTRUCTURING

by Rob Kuehn and Graywolf Swinney
Asklepia Foundation, ©2000

ABSTRACT:  Fibromyalgia is a syndrome, difficult to diagnose, which is psychophysical in nature.  Symptoms are numerous, but feature characteristic tender points and muscular pain, chronic fatigue and sleep disturbances, and psychological factors.  The inflammatory process also produces chemicals that are known to cause fatigue.  Emotional and physical stress exacerbate symptoms, constricting bloodvessels and amplifying distress, often to the point of incapacitation.  Allopathic treatments help curb symptoms, but only mask rather than transform psychological or emotional blocks.  Conventional treatment offers no known cure for FM.  Therefore, the goal of treatment is successful symptom management.  The integrative approach of the Consciousness Restructuring Process uses dreams, feelings, and symptoms to initiate a therapeutic healing journey.  This journey leads past fear-based patterns of consciousness and psychophysical pain to a deep experience of the restructuring of the existential primal self-image.
Asklepia Foundation is conducting experiments using biofeedback equipment to measure psychophysical changes during the CRP journeys.  TThe Foundation's lab already has an Autogen 2000 EEG, electroencephalograph feedback machine to measure brainwaves; an Autogen EMG, electromyograph to measure muscle changes; and an Autogen Thermograph to measure temperature changes in the extremities, and blood flow.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROMES 
and the
CONSCIOUSNESS RESTRUCTURING PROCESS

by Iona Miller and Graywolf Swinney, M.A.
Asklepia Foundation, ©2000

ABSTRACT:  Leading CFS researcher, Jay A. Goldstein, MD posits an etiology for CFS in limbic encephalopathy in a dysregulated neuroimmune network.  Thus his allopathic treatment protocols include interventions in the “bidirectional communication” between the immune and neuroendocrine systems.  This means that CFS can be considered among those syndromes which respond to Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), through intervention in the “cross-talk” between the central nervous system and the immune system.  Viral disease can also cause neuropsychological deficits which are amplified under physical or emotional stress.  The limbic system plays a crucial role in regulatory physiology. The Consciousness Restructuring Process (CRP) can influence this psychophysical network, through cognitive, behavioral and attitudinal changes that alter the state of limbic elements.  Nonrestorative, alpha-EEG sleep abnormalities are common in CFS patients.  Nevertheless, most report frequent, vivid dreams and nightmares which can be used to initiate the therapeutic process.  Dream Journeys as well as alpha and theta training could potentially relieve sleep abnormalities and help manage anxiety and stress.
KEYWORDS: Chronic Fatigue Syndromes, Consciousness Restructuring Process, dreams, healing psychotherapy, REM, placebo effect, limbic system, immune system, psychoneuroimmunology, depression, somatization, fibromyalgia, panic disorder, sleep disturbances, nightmares, natural killer cells, REM journeys, PTSD, chaos theory, Candace Pert, neuropeptides, biochemicals, consciousness, EEG sleep abnormalities, Epstein-Barr virus, amygdala.

ASKLEPIA GRANT PROPOSAL 2

Pilot Studies:  Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III


Grant Solicitation: Phase 1

The following paper is Phase 1 of a group of experimental projects for a grant solicitation.  The detection of theoretical psychophysical channels for the healing effects of the Consciousness Restructuring Process (CRP) are explored and proposed.  The main avenues are 64 or 128 channel Electroencephalograph (EEG) and EEG Neuralfeedback.  This is Phase 1 of a 3-phase pilot study.  This paper is designed to accompany a grant proposal suitably formatted for any mental health field or consciousness studies grantor.  Since we are seeking funding, if you are an interested source or know a potential source of grant funds, please let us know by e-mail (asklepia@asklepia.org) or phone (541) 476-0492.

The Neuropsychology of CRP, Dreams, and REM

P300 Waves and PGO Spikes 
and their Role in Consciousness Restructuring
by Iona Miller, Graywolf Swinney, and John Penkert
Asklepia Foundation, c2001

Abstract:  This paper describes a grant solicitation where a protocol for detection of P300 MERMERS and PGO wave-generation during Consciousness Restructuring sessions is outlined.  MERMERS indicate a psychological significance of the stimuli to the subject, whether that object is physical or imaginal.  They may help us objectively document psychological shifts in internal states during therapy which lead toward spontaneous healing.
During dreams PGO activity is interpreted by the brain as sensory stimulation.  Through self-organizing dynamics, coherent dream experiences emerge from the influence of apparently unpatterned PGO stimulation.  When the dreaming brain is free of external sensory patterns of neural excitation, it is subject to even subtle influences.  PGO waves provide perturbation that keeps the dream narrative in motion, that produces bifurcations in attractor patterns, and leads to abrupt alterations in dream experiences.  Likewise PGO spikes may signal the bifurcations and content changes seen in consciousness journeys.  PGO stimulation may be related to plot shifts during REM, and this is subject to potential verification with 128 channel EEG.
Keywords: self-organization, complex adapative systems, PGO waves, P300 waves, spontaneous endogenous activity, endogenous evoked potentials, sleep, REM, chaos theory, psychotherapy, perception, dream, dream work, experiential therapy, EEG, placebo, neurofeedback, neural feedback, perceptual synergetics, Consciousness Restructuring Process (CRP),

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

Grant Solicitation: Phase 2

Theta and co-consciousness training is Phase 2 of our Grant Solicitation and Pilot Study of the phenomena of CRP journeys.  Co-consciousness, a state of deep rapport useful in conducting psychotherapeutic journeys, is taught through shamanic techniques, within the journey process, and through individual and shared biofeedback (neuralfeedback) training.  The pilot study seeks to determine if resonant brainwave rhythms are, in fact, observable through EEG monitoring of both parties during the shared journey; and if theta training facilitates integrative experiences, and psi sensitivity.  Further studies would try to detect temporal lobe transients (TLTs) or microseizures, associated with meaningful, spiritual experiences.

CRP and THETA REVERIE
Theta Training 
and Co-Consciousness in Shared Journeys

by Iona Miller and Graywolf Swinney
ICST, c2001

Abstract: The theta range of brainwave activity is four to seven cycles per second.  This is reportedly the psychic range of the mind and the area from which psychic experiences emerge is the temporal lobe, source of most theta generation.  Children under seven have a predominance of theta, although they experience other ranges as well.  Therefore, children in this age group are highly receptive to suggestions or “programming” from all sources.  In theta, learning is extremely rapid, and may be subliminal.
Co-consciousness, the shared virtuality of the journey process, is a telepathic rapport wherein both participant’s brainwaves become synchronized or entrained, in essence, into a single holographic biofield.  Co-consciousness might be measured via the observation of spontaneously shared, matching or resonating brainwave frequencies. Experimental verification (through EEG monitoring of both participants) of these hypotheses is scheduled as the second experiment in our pilot study of CRP phenomena.
Conversely, in the CRP training program, theta training in deep reverie via biofeedback offers trainees a definite experience of the target state.  Most subjects can increase their alpha production easily; theta is more difficult but also can be increased.  A second part of this experiment would be to induce shared states of consciousness via shared biofeedback where both parties synch to the same deepening rhythm toward a very deeply internalized focus, displaying perceptual synergetics.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

Grant Proposal: Phase 3

Phase 3 of Asklepia's grant solicitation and Pilot Study Program is an experiment in neuromagnetic therapy where waveshaped electromagnetic feedback is applied to various lobes of the brain inducing imagery and mystical experiences; the first reproduction of the valuable research of neuropsychologist Michael A. Persinger.  His specific research goal was to provide transpersonal experiences for non-spiritual terminal patients so they could face death with greater calm and increase their survival rate after diagnosis.  The same could be expected with participation in the Consciousness Restructuring Process.  The two means of evoking spontaneous healing or remission share certain common biophysical channels, which would be valuable to explore.  An experiment is proposed using German acupuncture equipment, Mora and Indumet machines, to supply magnetic pulses which affect consciousness and psychophysical imagery.  IACS already has this equipment in its lab, awaiting the completion of  Parts 1 and 2 of the Pilot Study, which objectively document psychophysical changes and internal states at certain key moments in the CRP journeys.

NEUROMAGNETIC THERAPY
The Role of Electromagnetic Fields 
in Consciousness Engineering

by Iona Miller and Richard Miller, (Physicist; Instrumentation Specialist)
A Joint Project of ICST and O.A.K., Inc.

Abstract:  In nature the electromagnetic field is seamlessly welded together.  However, when we make models of the human organism, we often treat electricity and magnetism as separate operators.  The role of magnetic fields in consciousness has been largely overlooked in favor of focusing on electric fields in neurons, (except in the diagnostic area of MRI).  Magnetic signals can travel from one part of the brain to another much faster than electrical signals can travel along neurons.  Evidence (Persinger, 1987) suggests that magnetic signals play an important role in managing states of consciousness.  This research has never been replicated in another lab, therefore steps toward that replication would be valuable.
Specific magnetic waveforms can carry the same information content as the EEG.  These waveforms can actively kindle and entrain areas of the brain in a rhythmic feedback cycle, creating a structure that can completely dominate the person’s experience.  At this point, the signals become complex magnetic signals, because they are not simple repeating patterns.  Such entrainment has shown promise for the treatment of a variety of disorders including stress and clinical depression.  An experiment is proposed using German acupuncture equipment, Mora and Indumet machines, to apply magnetic pulses, specific waveforms to the occipital and temporal regions.
Entrainment is also seen in the auditorily-induced beat-frequency or frequency following response (FFR).  This phenomena is created by playing two different stereo signals into the ears which pulse at different frequencies, (Monroe).  The difference between them is the frequency the brainwaves begin to resonate with--usually alpha rhythms.  FFR on an audio tape used with headphones can actively drive the brainwaves toward alpha production.

Keywords: temporal lobe, complex magnetic signals, frequency following response, biofeedback, neuromagnetic therapy, Michael Persinger, Robert O. Becker, Robert Monroe, holonomic physics, Mora and Indumed machines, consciousness, altered states, EEG,

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE



 

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