First remember that sometimes "bad" proposals are funded.
Second, try to get the writer to talk with the program officer.
Third, see if there is a reviewer for that agency on campus that the writer
can talk with about the project.

Do suggest additional sources that can be either used instead of the
original source or in addition to it after adjusting to fit agency.

Do remind writer that he/she knows the subject so well that one sentence
means much to writer but little to other readers at agency

Ask writer to put on agency hat and see whether he/she would put it high on
funding list given other good proposals.

I have reorganized, edited many proposals over the years.  However, the
poorer the writer the less likely they are to accept help.  I. E., the
uglier the baby the greater the mother's love!.

>A philosophical query: what do you do when a faculty/staff person brings you a
>proposal which you are virtually certain will not be funded?  Maybe it's a
>not-very-good proposal headed for stiff competition, maybe it's a good proposal
>headed for the wrong place, maybe it's an okay proposal a year or two behind
>its time.
>
>In any case, how honest are you with the writer?  Do you propose alterations,
>maybe offer to edit/rewrite yourself?  Do you offer to search for other, more
>likely, sources of funding?  How do you avoid causing terminal discouragement?
>
>Bill Campbell
>Director, Grants & Research
>University of Wisconsin-River Falls
>