To become a grant administrator, you must complete four steps: post-secondary education, related work experience, job application, and job interview. In a post-secondary educational institution, government agency, granting agency, or research institute, a grant administrator works. A grant administrator is in charge of locating grants, completing the application process, and ensuring that the grant’s terms are followed. A grant is money given to a researcher by a third party.
This role is rewarding and energizing for people who are naturally organized, excellent communicators, and can balance competing priorities. This is not the right job for someone who prefers to work alone and isn’t very detail-oriented. This position entails a number of time-sensitive procedures that must be followed in order to secure funding for ongoing research.
To become a grant administrator, you must first complete a post-secondary education program. Although there is no specific program for becoming a grant administrator, a program in office administration will provide the necessary training. A wide range of community and career colleges offer this type of program.
Office assistant, office manager, or any other type of administrative role are all examples of related work experience. Many people who work in the not-for-profit sector gain experience applying for grants, which can be useful when applying for a job as a grant administrator.
If you’re applying for a job as a grant administrator, double-check your resume and cover letter for any grammar or spelling errors. Carefully read the job posting’s details and try to tailor your cover letter to the specific requirements. The role requires accuracy because all procedures must be followed correctly or the application will be denied.
Take the time to prepare for the job interview during the process. Make a list of common interview questions and prepare your responses ahead of time. Consider your responses, remain calm, and be sure to respond to the question that was posed.
Grant administrators can work for either the grant applicant or the grant issuing institution. These are usually large corporations or agencies. The majority of grants are given out by government agencies or specific charities. In the United States, for example, public broadcasting television is supported by a combination of donations and grants from private and public organizations that believe the service meets their needs.