Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real Grant Writing practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethics flashcards as text
What is the primary reason percentage-based compensation for grant writers is considered unethical by major professional associations?
Answer: It creates pressure to exaggerate or misrepresent proposals to win grants
Percentage-based fees incentivize winning at any cost, which can lead grant writers to misrepresent information to secure awards.
A grant writer uses data from a study conducted five years ago that contradicts more current research, presenting it as if it represents the current state of knowledge. This raises what type of ethical concern?
Answer: Selective use of evidence to mislead the funder
Deliberately selecting outdated data that contradicts current evidence to mislead a funder is a form of misrepresentation.
Which of the following best describes the ethical concept of 'program fidelity' in grant management?
Answer: Implementing the program as described in the approved proposal
Program fidelity means implementing the activities, methods, and scope as described in the approved grant proposal.
An organization receives a grant to serve low-income residents but shifts services to a wealthier clientele to improve outcome statistics. This practice violates which ethical principle?
Answer: Fidelity to grant purpose and beneficiary representation
Serving a different population than stated in the grant to improve statistics violates fidelity to the grant's stated purpose and misrepresents the beneficiary group.
Under what circumstances may a grant writer ethically withdraw from a project after work has begun?
Answer: When continuing would require the writer to act unethically or illegally
A grant writer may ethically withdraw mid-project when continued work would require participating in unethical or illegal activity.
What is the ethical significance of a grant writer maintaining client confidentiality?
Answer: It preserves the trust relationship and protects sensitive organizational information shared during the engagement
Confidentiality protects the trust relationship and ensures clients can share sensitive information without fear of unauthorized disclosure.
A grant writer discovers that a subcontractor hired with grant funds is billing for hours not actually worked. What is the ethical and legal obligation?
Answer: Document and report the issue to organizational leadership and, if unresolved, to the funder
Fraudulent billing by a subcontractor must be escalated to leadership and reported to the funder if not resolved internally.