Develop Proposal

Well-written proposals take time.
  • Set aside more than a few months to write, review, edit and write again.
  • Create a timeline so that you can meet both internal and external deadlines.
  • Have a colleague or mentor serve as your editor.

Finding the right sponsor also takes time. Familiarize yourself with both the sponsor and the sponsor guidelines.

  • Does your research fit into the sponsor’s goals and objectives for that year?
  • Understand who is reading your grant (the audience).
  • This may mean you frame your project in a different light or language.
  • Reframing your research to fit a specific sponsor’s requirement is legitimate and necessary. For each application you will need to tailor your research to the sponsors guidelines and mission.
Be realistic in designing your project. Identify your needs:
  • Is this preliminary or pilot research?
  • Are you seeking money to write a book? A manuscript? Travel?
What is the focus or your research?
  • What is the topic? (Why is it important?)
  • What are the research questions that you are trying to answer?
  • What is your hypotheses?
  • What are your research methods?
Final decisions often come to down to the reviewer believing that the proposal is well planned and feasible. Reviewers in general will want you to answer the following:
  • What is going to be learned (goals, aims, outcomes)?
  • Why is it worth knowing (significance)?
  • How will your conclusions be validated (criteria for success)?

Move on to: Route and Submit