Applying for an international grant can be a life-changing opportunity for Nigerian students, entrepreneurs, researchers, and NGOs. These grants provide access to funding, training, networking, and resources that can take your project or career to the next level.
However, many Nigerians fail to secure these grants not because their ideas are not good, but because of common application mistakes that can easily be avoided.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 5 mistakes Nigerians make when applying for international grants and how you can avoid them.
1. Not Reading the Guidelines Carefully
One of the most common mistakes is rushing into the application without fully understanding the grant’s requirements. Every grant has its own eligibility criteria, format, and instructions.
Examples of common oversights:
- Applying for a research grant meant for PhD students when you’re an undergraduate
- Submitting a business proposal when the grant only funds community development projects
- Missing the word count limit or ignoring file format requirements
How to avoid this:
- Read the call for applications at least twice before starting your application
- Highlight all the requirements and make a checklist
- If you are unsure about something, contact the grant provider for clarification
2. Weak Problem Statement
International grant providers want to fund solutions to specific and well-defined problems. Unfortunately, many Nigerian applicants fail to clearly explain what problem they are solving and why it matters.
Poor example:
“My project will help improve education in Nigeria.”
This is too vague. A good problem statement should show evidence and urgency.
Better example:
“In XYZ community, over 65% of children aged 6–12 are out of school due to lack of affordable transportation. Our project will provide low-cost school shuttle services to bridge the gap.”
How to avoid this:
- Use facts, statistics, and credible research to back up your claims
- Show how the problem affects people and why solving it matters now
- Be specific, avoid generalisations
3. Copy-Pasting Old Proposals
Some applicants reuse the same proposal for multiple grants without tailoring it to each one. This often leads to a mismatch between the proposal and the funder’s goals.
Why this fails:
- Each grant has unique priorities, evaluation criteria, and themes
- A recycled proposal may not address the exact outcomes the funder wants
How to avoid this:
- Always customise your proposal for each grant
- Use the funder’s keywords and align your goals with theirs
- If you must reuse parts of an old proposal, edit them to fit the new context
4. Ignoring the Budget Section
Many strong proposals are rejected because of poorly prepared budgets. Some Nigerian applicants:
- Overestimate costs to get more money (raising red flags)
- Underestimate costs (making the project look unrealistic)
- Forget to justify how the funds will be used
How to avoid this:
- Break down your budget into clear, realistic items (e.g., training materials, transport, equipment)
- Justify each cost in a budget narrative
- Ensure your budget aligns with the scale of your project
5. Poor Grammar and Unclear Writing
International grant reviewers often receive thousands of applications. If your proposal is full of grammatical errors, unclear sentences, or disorganised sections, it will hurt your chances.
How to avoid this:
- Write in clear, simple English
- Use headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to make your proposal easy to read
- Get a professional editor or experienced grant writer to review your application before submission
Final Tips for Nigerian Grant Applicants
- Start early: Many mistakes happen because applicants rush at the last minute.
- Provide evidence: Back your claims with credible data.
- Be authentic: Don’t exaggerate or falsify information.
- Follow up: If you don’t win, request feedback and improve for the next opportunity.
Key Takeaway:
Winning an international grant is not just about having a great idea, it’s about presenting it clearly, following instructions, and proving you can deliver results. Avoid these five mistakes, and you’ll greatly improve your chances.
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