This manual is intended to help applicants write successful grant applications in response to requests for proposals (RFPs) from the Division of Personnel Preparation of the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs. It is particularly aimed at institutions of higher education involved in the Alliance 2000 Project, institutions with at least 25 percent of their enrollment being students from historically underrepresented ethnic groups. The first section presents an overview of the grant process, including finding the RFP, reading it for critical information, and identifying specific priorities. The next section looks at both long-range and short-range preparation for responding to an RFP, including completing a proposal development checklist, developing a generic data bank and a support system, brainstorming, identifying the principal investigator team, budgeting, and identifying resources. Section 3 is on writing proposal components and covers addressing the impact of the proposal on critical present and projected need, the capacity of the responding institution, the plan of operation, and the evaluation plan. Section 4 is on budget development and covers preliminary information (such as personnel salaries, travel, supplies, stipends, and other costs); budget detail; budget justification; and federal budget forms and instructions. The final section discusses the face sheet and assurances. (DB)