Read everything!
Crafting a competitive application for a grant, scholarship, or fellowship opportunity requires precise attention to detail. As an applicant, you must prepare your application to the stated specifications of the foundation or grantmaking body, which are published on their website or circulated call for applications. Don’t wait until after you have prepared your application to familiarize yourself with the important details and fine print about your eligibility, what to include (or avoid) in your essays, and word or character limits, which applicants frequently overlook. To be successful, you must become an expert on the opportunity to which you are applying. Read everything!