How We Work
A structured, professional process — from your first conversation to a funded, delivered project.
Our Proposal Development Process
We follow a rigorous 12-stage process to ensure every proposal we develop is competitive, compliant, and compelling. Here is how it works:
| Stage | Step | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Funding Opportunity Identification | Our team identifies suitable funding opportunities aligned with your project goals, sector, and eligibility criteria. |
| 2 | Client Eligibility Assessment | We assess your organisation's eligibility for identified opportunities and advise on the strongest fit. |
| 3 | Writer Assignment | A specialist writer with relevant sector experience is assigned to lead your proposal. |
| 4 | Client Consultation | We meet with you to understand your project, gather key information, and agree on the proposal approach. |
| 5 | Project Biosketch / Summary | A concise project summary is developed to establish the core narrative and key outcomes. |
| 6 | Full Proposal Writing | The complete proposal is written, covering all required sections to donor or funder standards. |
| 7 | Proofreading & Editing | The draft is reviewed for accuracy, clarity, grammar, and compliance with submission requirements. |
| 8 | Revisions | Any comments or corrections are addressed and the document is refined. |
| 9 | Client & Lead Writer Review | The final draft is presented to both the client and CEA's lead writer for sign-off. |
| 10 | Submission | The Project Officer submits the proposal to the funder by the required deadline. |
| 11 | Monitoring & Feedback | We track the appraisal process and keep you informed of any feedback or updates from the funder. |
| 12 | Completion & Payment | On successful conclusion of the engagement, final invoicing and payment are processed. |
Our Client Journey
Every client is at a different stage. Whether you come to us with a fully formed concept, a half-written draft, or just an idea, we meet you where you are.
Concept stage
We help you develop and refine your idea into a structured project.
Draft stage
We review your existing work, identify gaps, and guide you to a stronger submission.
Submission ready
We handle packaging, formatting, and submission on your behalf.
Post-award
For clients who need ongoing support, we provide project management services through implementation and evaluation.
What You Can Expect From Us
Regular Updates
You will be kept informed at every stage of the process, with clear communication on progress and any decisions required.
Structured Reports
All deliverables are tracked against agreed timelines, with documented outputs at each stage.
Confidentiality
All client information is protected under a confidentiality agreement, signed before work begins.
Transparency
Clients have full visibility of our processes and can request clarifications at any stage.