{"id":21229,"date":"2026-10-28T11:21:23","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T10:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/"},"modified":"2026-10-28T11:22:40","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T10:22:40","slug":"what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/","title":{"rendered":"What Makes a Good Application\u2014and the Most Common Reasons Applications Fail"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"is-style-lead wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>You have a project that needs support and a foundation that might be a good fit. Perhaps you\u2019ve already started preparing your application. Now it\u2019s time to convince the funding organization of your project\u2019s merits. What matters most? And what mistakes should you avoid?<\/strong><\/p>\n<div role=\"navigation\" aria-labelledby=\"sht-toc-title-1\" class=\"sht-toc toc-ohne-nummern wp-block-custom-table-of-contents\">\n\t<div class=\"sht-toc__title sht-toc__title--rich\" id=\"sht-toc-title-1\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\tInhaltsverzeichnis\t<\/div>\n\t\t<ol class=\"sht-toc__list\">\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"sht-toc__item\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"sht-toc__link\" href=\"#1-check-for-a-good-fit-is-the-foundation-the-right-partner\">1. Check for a good fit: Is the foundation the right partner?<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"sht-toc__item\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"sht-toc__link\" href=\"#2-structuring-a-grant-application-presenting-the-essentials-clearly\">2. Structuring a Grant Application: Presenting the Essentials Clearly<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"sht-toc__item\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"sht-toc__link\" href=\"#Definition-Zielgruppe\">3. Avoiding Common Mistakes: Why Applications Often Fail<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"sht-toc__item\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"sht-toc__link\" href=\"#checklist-is-your-application-ready\">Checklist: Is your application ready?<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"sht-toc__item\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"sht-toc__link\" href=\"#submit-applications-via-spheriq\">Submit applications via Spheriq<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The good news is that many rejections have nothing to do with a poor project, but rather with reasons that can be avoided. In this article, you\u2019ll learn what makes a good grant application and what foundations look for.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">A good grant application doesn&#8217;t have to be particularly long. What matters most is that the foundation quickly understands what you plan to do, why the project aligns with its funding goals, and what its support would make possible. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Three steps will help you carefully prepare your application and submit it in a compelling way. <\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"1-check-for-a-good-fit-is-the-foundation-the-right-partner\"  class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><strong>1. Check for a good fit: Is the foundation the right partner?<\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Before you invest a lot of time in an application, you should check whether your project is a good fit for the foundation. After all, the most common reason for rejection is that the project doesn\u2019t seem like a good fit for the foundation at first glance\u2014even before anyone has actually read your application properly.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">So, before you write the first sentence, check the following: <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\"><strong>Purpose and current priorities:<\/strong> Does the foundation support your topic, your target audience, and your region? Many foundations set changing priorities that take precedence over the foundation\u2019s general purpose. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\"><strong>Exclusions:<\/strong> Does your project fall under \u201cWhat We Do Not Fund,\u201d such as operating costs or individual grants? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\"><strong>Timing:<\/strong> When does the foundation make its decision? If the decision comes after your project has started, the application is usually too late. Rule of thumb: Your project should not start for at least 6 months. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\"><strong>Application method:<\/strong> By mail, using the foundation\u2019s own form, or online via Spheriq? Follow the method specified by the foundation. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">To learn how to find suitable foundations right away and narrow down your choices, read the article <a href=\"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/from-the-search-results-to-the-shortlist-which-foundations-to-contact-first\/\">\u201cFrom the Search Results to the Shortlist.\u201d<\/a> <\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"2-structuring-a-grant-application-presenting-the-essentials-clearly\"  class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><strong>2. Structuring a Grant Application: Presenting the Essentials Clearly <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Every foundation has its own requirements. However, almost all applications consist of the same parts: <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\"><strong>Your organization\u2014who is behind the project:<\/strong> Who you are, what you stand for, and what you\u2019ve already accomplished. Details such as confirmed tax-exempt status build trust. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\"><strong>Your project\u2014what do you want to change?<\/strong> What problem does it solve, for whom, through what measures, over what timeframe, and with what impact? Include a budget that shows how the funds will be used. Be sure to describe not only the activities but also their intended benefits. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\"><strong>Your Request\u2014What Do You Expect from the Foundation?<\/strong> The request is the core of your application. The foundation should understand as quickly as possible why you are reaching out to it specifically and what kind of support you need. It is also the part the foundation reads first. In three sentences, explain what the request is about, what you specifically want from this foundation, and what a positive response would achieve. Always specify a concrete amount. The article <a href=\"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/the-art-of-the-effective-request\/\">\u201cThe Art of the Effective Request,\u201d<\/a> which includes many examples, shows how to do this.  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\"><strong>The Fit<\/strong> \u2014Why This Foundation in Particular? Explain in a few sentences how your project aligns with the foundation\u2019s priorities. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\"><strong>Your Funding \u2013 Is the project realistic?<\/strong> How much you\u2019re requesting, what you\u2019re contributing yourself, and which other funders have been approached or have already committed. This shows that your project is on solid ground. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, the foundation often asks follow-up questions related to its mission. Answer them carefully, as they reveal what the foundation considers particularly important. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong> It\u2019s best to write a thorough description of your organization and project once and use those descriptions for all your grant applications. That way, your project is presented consistently across the board, and you can focus on the specific needs and suitability of each application.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rules of thumb for length and budget:<\/strong> As much as necessary, as short as possible. A good proposal is between 5 and 10 pages long. The budget shouldn\u2019t be hidden, but it also shouldn\u2019t be too detailed or presented as a massive Excel spreadsheet. As a rule, a consolidated version on half a page is sufficient, unless otherwise explicitly requested.  <strong> <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>By the way:<\/strong> A weak budget is one of the most common reasons for rejecting a grant application. If in doubt, seek assistance from an expert or a nonprofit you know. Or use our Grant Application Checkpoint [Link].  <\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"Definition-Zielgruppe\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><strong>3. Avoiding Common Mistakes: Why Applications Often Fail <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Even good projects can be rejected. Some reasons are beyond your control\u2014for example, an exhausted grant budget or other priorities of the foundation. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The three main reasons for rejection\u2014and what you can do about them: <\/p>\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\"><strong>The project isn\u2019t a good fit for the foundation:<\/strong> It doesn\u2019t fall under its guidelines or current areas of focus. \u2192 Check the criteria and exclusions beforehand and provide specific reasons for why the project is a good fit\u2014don\u2019t just make a general claim. A vague statement like \u201cYour foundation supports education\u201d is often not enough. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\"><strong>The application is incomplete or lacks substance:<\/strong> gaps in the budget or planning are evident. However, those who are very familiar with a project sometimes lose sight of what information outsiders are missing. Other applications contain so many details that the most important points get lost.  \u2192 Check the numbers and highlight your own contribution as well as other funding sources. The <a href=\"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/prompt-of-the-week-review-a-request\/\">\u201cReview Application\u201d<\/a> prompt is a helpful tool starting with the Pro version.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\"><strong>The application is unclear or too long:<\/strong> Foundations receive many applications and compare them with one another. \u2192 Keep it brief, organize it clearly, and put the most important information first. Here, too, the \u201cReview Application\u201d prompt provides practical tips on where to shorten or reword your application.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\">The application workshop will cover other potential pitfalls and how to avoid them in your own application. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<h2 id=\"checklist-is-your-application-ready\"  class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Checklist: Is your application ready? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Before you submit your application, check the following: Does my project align with the foundation\u2019s mission, current priorities, and region? <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\">Have I checked for any potential exclusions, application deadlines, and the correct submission process? Would an outsider understand the problem we\u2019re addressing, what we\u2019re doing, and what we hope to achieve? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\">Is our request specific, and does it explain why we\u2019re approaching this particular foundation? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\">Do we specify a clear grant amount that is appropriate for the project and, if possible, aligns with the foundation\u2019s funding practices? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\">Are the budget, funding, timeline, and planned measures clear and understandable? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\">Will the foundation make a decision in a timely manner before the project begins? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\">Does my application explain in three sentences what the project is about, what I\u2019m asking of this foundation, and what the grant would entail? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\">Do I specify a concrete amount that aligns with the standard funding level? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\">Do I demonstrate my own contribution and other funding sources? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\">Have we answered all of the foundation\u2019s additional questions and attached the required documents?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-20-font-size\">Would someone with no prior knowledge understand my project after reading it just once? <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">If you can answer \u201cyes\u201d to these questions, your application is ready to be submitted. <\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"submit-applications-via-spheriq\"  class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><strong>Submit applications via Spheriq <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Many funding organizations accept applications directly through Spheriq. You can identify them in the profile by the note \u201cApplications via Spheriq\u201d and the \u201cSubmit Application\u201d button. For all others, follow the procedure specified by the foundation, such as by mail or using its own form.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">If you submit your application through Spheriq, the system will automatically populate the fields with information from your organization and project profiles. All you need to do is fill in the request details, the amount, and answer the foundation\u2019s questions. After that, you can check the status at any time in your application overview, and you\u2019ll receive an email as soon as the foundation has made its decision. Step-by-step guide: <a href=\"https:\/\/support.spheriq.ch\/de\/articles\/212035-so-reichst-du-ein-gesuch-digital-ein\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to submit an application digitally<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#ff000078\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div style=\"height:94px;width:91px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-efddc3b2\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\"><br\/><strong><strong><strong><strong>Get Started<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Prepare your draft application for submission. Open your application overview, review your application using the checklist, and fill in any missing information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/app.spheriq.ch\/gesuche\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Finalize Your Application<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Work on your own application:<\/strong> In the application workshop, you\u2019ll refine your project and proposal together with other organizations and receive personalized feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-20-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/app.spheriq.ch\/workshops?tags=gesuchswerkstatt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>View the workshop<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:94px;width:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-2fc37c9d\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"You have a project that needs support and a foundation that might be a good fit. Perhaps you\u2019ve already started preparing your application. Now it\u2019s time to convince the funding organization of your project\u2019s merits. What matters most? And what mistakes should you avoid? The good news is that many rejections have nothing to do&#8230;","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":21201,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1124,1110],"tags":[],"post_label":[1249],"class_list":["post-21229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-grant-management","category-tools-en-2","post_format-post-format-image","post_label-spheriq-best-practices"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Makes a Good Application\u2014and the Most Common Reasons Applications Fail - Spheriq-Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A compelling grant application demonstrates what your project aims to achieve and why it is a good fit for the foundation. Learn how to structure your application clearly, avoid common mistakes, and improve your chances of receiving funding.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Makes a Good Application\u2014and the Most Common Reasons Applications Fail - Spheriq-Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A compelling grant application demonstrates what your project aims to achieve and why it is a good fit for the foundation. Learn how to structure your application clearly, avoid common mistakes, and improve your chances of receiving funding.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Spheriq-Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-10-28T10:21:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-28T10:22:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blogpost-Gesuch-1.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1708\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"974\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Anne Oesterlin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Anne Oesterlin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Anne Oesterlin\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/26fefe509115d5fcb827364435d7d25a\"},\"headline\":\"What Makes a Good Application\u2014and the Most Common Reasons Applications Fail\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-28T10:21:23+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-28T10:22:40+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1416,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/Blogpost-Gesuch-1.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Grant Management\",\"Tools\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\\\/\",\"name\":\"What Makes a Good Application\u2014and the Most Common Reasons Applications Fail - Spheriq-Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/Blogpost-Gesuch-1.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-28T10:21:23+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-28T10:22:40+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/26fefe509115d5fcb827364435d7d25a\"},\"description\":\"A compelling grant application demonstrates what your project aims to achieve and why it is a good fit for the foundation. Learn how to structure your application clearly, avoid common mistakes, and improve your chances of receiving funding.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/Blogpost-Gesuch-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/Blogpost-Gesuch-1.png\",\"width\":1708,\"height\":974},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"What Makes a Good Application\u2014and the Most Common Reasons Applications Fail\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"Spheriq-Blog\",\"description\":\"Der Blog f\u00fcr Fundraiser, Stiftungsverwalter, Stiftungsr\u00e4te und alle, die sich f\u00fcr Fragen und Themen rund um den gemeinn\u00fctzigen Sektor interessieren.\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/26fefe509115d5fcb827364435d7d25a\",\"name\":\"Anne Oesterlin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/0b7c5b2daea085e8daca0bd5000b765098781ec1e987c1b7093c5ed4fd9b2feb?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/0b7c5b2daea085e8daca0bd5000b765098781ec1e987c1b7093c5ed4fd9b2feb?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/0b7c5b2daea085e8daca0bd5000b765098781ec1e987c1b7093c5ed4fd9b2feb?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Anne Oesterlin\"},\"description\":\"Anne Oesterlin ist Product Ownerin f\u00fcr das Gesuchs- und F\u00f6rdermanagement bei Spheriq. Im Blog schreibt sie \u00fcber digitale F\u00f6rderprozesse, den Einsatz von KI im Gesuchsmanagement sowie neue Funktionen und Praxistipps f\u00fcr F\u00f6rderorganisationen und Gesuchstellende.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/spheriq.ch\\\/blog\\\/en\\\/author\\\/anne-mayer\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What Makes a Good Application\u2014and the Most Common Reasons Applications Fail - Spheriq-Blog","description":"A compelling grant application demonstrates what your project aims to achieve and why it is a good fit for the foundation. Learn how to structure your application clearly, avoid common mistakes, and improve your chances of receiving funding.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What Makes a Good Application\u2014and the Most Common Reasons Applications Fail - Spheriq-Blog","og_description":"A compelling grant application demonstrates what your project aims to achieve and why it is a good fit for the foundation. Learn how to structure your application clearly, avoid common mistakes, and improve your chances of receiving funding.","og_url":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/","og_site_name":"Spheriq-Blog","article_published_time":"2026-10-28T10:21:23+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-10-28T10:22:40+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1708,"height":974,"url":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blogpost-Gesuch-1.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Anne Oesterlin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Anne Oesterlin","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/"},"author":{"name":"Anne Oesterlin","@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/26fefe509115d5fcb827364435d7d25a"},"headline":"What Makes a Good Application\u2014and the Most Common Reasons Applications Fail","datePublished":"2026-10-28T10:21:23+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-28T10:22:40+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/"},"wordCount":1416,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blogpost-Gesuch-1.png","articleSection":["Grant Management","Tools"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/","url":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/","name":"What Makes a Good Application\u2014and the Most Common Reasons Applications Fail - Spheriq-Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blogpost-Gesuch-1.png","datePublished":"2026-10-28T10:21:23+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-28T10:22:40+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/26fefe509115d5fcb827364435d7d25a"},"description":"A compelling grant application demonstrates what your project aims to achieve and why it is a good fit for the foundation. Learn how to structure your application clearly, avoid common mistakes, and improve your chances of receiving funding.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blogpost-Gesuch-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blogpost-Gesuch-1.png","width":1708,"height":974},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/what-makes-a-good-application-and-the-most-common-reasons-applications-fail\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What Makes a Good Application\u2014and the Most Common Reasons Applications Fail"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/","name":"Spheriq-Blog","description":"Der Blog f\u00fcr Fundraiser, Stiftungsverwalter, Stiftungsr\u00e4te und alle, die sich f\u00fcr Fragen und Themen rund um den gemeinn\u00fctzigen Sektor interessieren.","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/26fefe509115d5fcb827364435d7d25a","name":"Anne Oesterlin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0b7c5b2daea085e8daca0bd5000b765098781ec1e987c1b7093c5ed4fd9b2feb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0b7c5b2daea085e8daca0bd5000b765098781ec1e987c1b7093c5ed4fd9b2feb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0b7c5b2daea085e8daca0bd5000b765098781ec1e987c1b7093c5ed4fd9b2feb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Anne Oesterlin"},"description":"Anne Oesterlin ist Product Ownerin f\u00fcr das Gesuchs- und F\u00f6rdermanagement bei Spheriq. Im Blog schreibt sie \u00fcber digitale F\u00f6rderprozesse, den Einsatz von KI im Gesuchsmanagement sowie neue Funktionen und Praxistipps f\u00fcr F\u00f6rderorganisationen und Gesuchstellende.","url":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/author\/anne-mayer\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21229","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21229"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21229\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21230,"href":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21229\/revisions\/21230"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21229"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21229"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21229"},{"taxonomy":"post_label","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_label?post=21229"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}