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• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

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See an example

Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

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Home » How To Write A Research Proposal – Step-by-Step [Template]

How To Write A Research Proposal – Step-by-Step [Template]

Table of Contents

How To Write a Research Proposal

Writing a Research proposal involves several steps to ensure a well-structured and comprehensive document. Here is an explanation of each step:

1. Title and Abstract

• Choose a concise and descriptive title that reflects the essence of your research.
• Write an abstract summarizing your research question, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. It should provide a brief overview of your proposal.

2. Introduction:

• Provide an introduction to your research topic, highlighting its significance and relevance.
• Clearly state the research problem or question you aim to address.
• Discuss the background and context of the study, including previous research in the field.

3. Research Objectives

• Outline the specific objectives or aims of your research. These objectives should be clear, achievable, and aligned with the research problem.

4. Literature Review:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant literature and studies related to your research topic.
• Summarize key findings, identify gaps, and highlight how your research will contribute to the existing knowledge.

5. Methodology:

• Describe the research design and methodology you plan to employ to address your research objectives.
• Explain the data collection methods, instruments, and analysis techniques you will use.
• Justify why the chosen methods are appropriate and suitable for your research.

6. Timeline:

• Create a timeline or schedule that outlines the major milestones and activities of your research project.
• Break down the research process into smaller tasks and estimate the time required for each task.

7. Resources:

• Identify the resources needed for your research, such as access to specific databases, equipment, or funding.
• Explain how you will acquire or utilize these resources to carry out your research effectively.

8. Ethical Considerations:

• Discuss any ethical issues that may arise during your research and explain how you plan to address them.
• If your research involves human subjects, explain how you will ensure their informed consent and privacy.

9. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

• Clearly state the expected outcomes or results of your research.
• Highlight the potential impact and significance of your research in advancing knowledge or addressing practical issues.

10. References:

• Provide a list of all the references cited in your proposal, following a consistent citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).

11. Appendices:

• Include any additional supporting materials, such as survey questionnaires, interview guides, or data analysis plans.

Research Proposal Format

The format of a research proposal may vary depending on the specific requirements of the institution or funding agency. However, the following is a commonly used format for a research proposal:

1. Title Page:

• Include the title of your research proposal, your name, your affiliation or institution, and the date.

2. Abstract:

• Provide a brief summary of your research proposal, highlighting the research problem, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.

3. Introduction:

• Introduce the research topic and provide background information.
• State the research problem or question you aim to address.
• Explain the significance and relevance of the research.
• Review relevant literature and studies related to your research topic.
• Summarize key findings and identify gaps in the existing knowledge.
• Explain how your research will contribute to filling those gaps.

5. Research Objectives:

• Clearly state the specific objectives or aims of your research.
• Ensure that the objectives are clear, focused, and aligned with the research problem.

6. Methodology:

• Describe the research design and methodology you plan to use.
• Explain the data collection methods, instruments, and analysis techniques.
• Justify why the chosen methods are appropriate for your research.

7. Timeline:

8. Resources:

• Explain how you will acquire or utilize these resources effectively.

9. Ethical Considerations:

• If applicable, explain how you will ensure informed consent and protect the privacy of research participants.

10. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

11. References:

12. Appendices:

Research Proposal Template

Here’s a template for a research proposal:

1. Introduction:

2. Literature Review:

3. Research Objectives:

4. Methodology:

5. Timeline:

6. Resources:

7. Ethical Considerations:

8. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

9. References:

10. Appendices:

Research Proposal Sample

Title: The Impact of Online Education on Student Learning Outcomes: A Comparative Study

1. Introduction

Online education has gained significant prominence in recent years, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of online education on student learning outcomes by comparing them with traditional face-to-face instruction. The study will explore various aspects of online education, such as instructional methods, student engagement, and academic performance, to provide insights into the effectiveness of online learning.

2. Objectives

The main objectives of this research are as follows:

• To compare student learning outcomes between online and traditional face-to-face education.
• To examine the factors influencing student engagement in online learning environments.
• To assess the effectiveness of different instructional methods employed in online education.
• To identify challenges and opportunities associated with online education and suggest recommendations for improvement.

3. Methodology

3.1 Study Design

This research will utilize a mixed-methods approach to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The study will include the following components:

3.2 Participants

The research will involve undergraduate students from two universities, one offering online education and the other providing face-to-face instruction. A total of 500 students (250 from each university) will be selected randomly to participate in the study.

3.3 Data Collection

The research will employ the following data collection methods:

• Quantitative: Pre- and post-assessments will be conducted to measure students’ learning outcomes. Data on student demographics and academic performance will also be collected from university records.
• Qualitative: Focus group discussions and individual interviews will be conducted with students to gather their perceptions and experiences regarding online education.

3.4 Data Analysis

Quantitative data will be analyzed using statistical software, employing descriptive statistics, t-tests, and regression analysis. Qualitative data will be transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and themes.

4. Ethical Considerations

The study will adhere to ethical guidelines, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of participants. Informed consent will be obtained, and participants will have the right to withdraw from the study at any time.

5. Significance and Expected Outcomes

This research will contribute to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the impact of online education on student learning outcomes. The findings will help educational institutions and policymakers make informed decisions about incorporating online learning methods and improving the quality of online education. Moreover, the study will identify potential challenges and opportunities related to online education and offer recommendations for enhancing student engagement and overall learning outcomes.

6. Timeline

The proposed research will be conducted over a period of 12 months, including data collection, analysis, and report writing.

The estimated budget for this research includes expenses related to data collection, software licenses, participant compensation, and research assistance. A detailed budget breakdown will be provided in the final research plan.

8. Conclusion

This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of online education on student learning outcomes through a comparative study with traditional face-to-face instruction. By exploring various dimensions of online education, this research will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and challenges associated with online learning. The findings will contribute to the ongoing discourse on educational practices and help shape future strategies for maximizing student learning outcomes in online education settings.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Writing a Scientific Research Project Proposal

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Table of Contents

The importance of a well-written research proposal cannot be underestimated. Your research really is only as good as your proposal. A poorly written, or poorly conceived research proposal will doom even an otherwise worthy project. On the other hand, a well-written, high-quality proposal will increase your chances for success.

In this article, we’ll outline the basics of writing an effective scientific research proposal, including the differences between research proposals, grants and cover letters. We’ll also touch on common mistakes made when submitting research proposals, as well as a simple example or template that you can follow.

What is a scientific research proposal?

The main purpose of a scientific research proposal is to convince your audience that your project is worthwhile, and that you have the expertise and wherewithal to complete it. The elements of an effective research proposal mirror those of the research process itself, which we’ll outline below. Essentially, the research proposal should include enough information for the reader to determine if your proposed study is worth pursuing.

It is not an uncommon misunderstanding to think that a research proposal and a cover letter are the same things. However, they are different. The main difference between a research proposal vs cover letter content is distinct. Whereas the research proposal summarizes the proposal for future research, the cover letter connects you to the research, and how you are the right person to complete the proposed research.

There is also sometimes confusion around a research proposal vs grant application. Whereas a research proposal is a statement of intent, related to answering a research question, a grant application is a specific request for funding to complete the research proposed. Of course, there are elements of overlap between the two documents; it’s the purpose of the document that defines one or the other.

Scientific Research Proposal Format

Although there is no one way to write a scientific research proposal, there are specific guidelines. A lot depends on which journal you’re submitting your research proposal to, so you may need to follow their scientific research proposal template.

In general, however, there are fairly universal sections to every scientific research proposal. These include:

• Title: Make sure the title of your proposal is descriptive and concise. Make it catch and informative at the same time, avoiding dry phrases like, “An investigation…” Your title should pique the interest of the reader.
• Abstract: This is a brief (300-500 words) summary that includes the research question, your rationale for the study, and any applicable hypothesis. You should also include a brief description of your methodology, including procedures, samples, instruments, etc.
• Introduction: The opening paragraph of your research proposal is, perhaps, the most important. Here you want to introduce the research problem in a creative way, and demonstrate your understanding of the need for the research. You want the reader to think that your proposed research is current, important and relevant.
• Background: Include a brief history of the topic and link it to a contemporary context to show its relevance for today. Identify key researchers and institutions also looking at the problem
• Literature Review: This is the section that may take the longest amount of time to assemble. Here you want to synthesize prior research, and place your proposed research into the larger picture of what’s been studied in the past. You want to show your reader that your work is original, and adds to the current knowledge.
• Research Design and Methodology: This section should be very clearly and logically written and organized. You are letting your reader know that you know what you are going to do, and how. The reader should feel confident that you have the skills and knowledge needed to get the project done.
• Preliminary Implications: Here you’ll be outlining how you anticipate your research will extend current knowledge in your field. You might also want to discuss how your findings will impact future research needs.
• Conclusion: This section reinforces the significance and importance of your proposed research, and summarizes the entire proposal.
• References/Citations: Of course, you need to include a full and accurate list of any and all sources you used to write your research proposal.

Common Mistakes in Writing a Scientific Research Project Proposal

Remember, the best research proposal can be rejected if it’s not well written or is ill-conceived. The most common mistakes made include:

• Not providing the proper context for your research question or the problem
• Failing to reference landmark/key studies
• Losing focus of the research question or problem
• Not accurately presenting contributions by other researchers and institutions
• Incompletely developing a persuasive argument for the research that is being proposed
• Misplaced attention on minor points and/or not enough detail on major issues
• Sloppy, low-quality writing without effective logic and flow
• Incorrect or lapses in references and citations, and/or references not in proper format
• The proposal is too long – or too short

Scientific Research Proposal Example

There are countless examples that you can find for successful research proposals. In addition, you can also find examples of unsuccessful research proposals. Search for successful research proposals in your field, and even for your target journal, to get a good idea on what specifically your audience may be looking for.

While there’s no one example that will show you everything you need to know, looking at a few will give you a good idea of what you need to include in your own research proposal. Talk, also, to colleagues in your field, especially if you are a student or a new researcher. We can often learn from the mistakes of others. The more prepared and knowledgeable you are prior to writing your research proposal, the more likely you are to succeed.

One of the top reasons scientific research proposals are rejected is due to poor logic and flow. Check out our Language Editing Services to ensure a great proposal , that’s clear and concise, and properly referenced. Check our video for more information, and get started today.

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A Guide to Writing an Effective Innovation Proposal

Table of Contents

Writing an effective innovation proposal can be daunting and overwhelming. After all, it’s a document that could potentially define the future success or failure of your project (No pressure!). If you’re new to preparing these types of proposals, the good news is you’ve come to the right place. We’ve prepared a step-by-step guide on  how to write an innovation proposal  just for you! A well-crafted proposal can act as a roadmap for success – outlining all the steps required to launch and maintain the project until completion. So if you want to get your project off the ground, read on!

What is an Innovation Proposal?

An innovation proposal is a document that outlines an idea for a new product, process, or service . It describes the concept’s objectives, scope, and potential impact. Innovation proposals can include information on the following:

• Design plans
• Technical specifications
• Market analysis
• Implementation plans
• Legal considerations, and so on

These proposals are often created by teams of experts from various disciplines to capture different perspectives on the proposed solution. Ultimately, they serve as tools to obtain financing, resources, and approval to bring the project to life.

What to Include in your Innovation Proposal

Executive summary.

An executive summary is a summary of the contents of your innovation proposal . It should include key points such as the purpose and scope of the project, objectives, expected outcomes, timeline, and budget. This will be one of the first things that your reader will see. And as such, it needs to give them a good idea of the significance of your proposal.

Project Background

The project background should explain why the innovation is needed, who will benefit from it, and how it fits into the company’s long-term strategy. This section should also identify any potential challenges or opportunities for success. You can include research conducted on other similar solutions and approaches.

Solutions and Approach

This section should discuss the steps needed to complete the proposed innovation. It should also cover the details of when each step needs to be completed and by whom.

Financial Information

All anticipated expenses associated with the proposed solution should be outlined here, along with an estimation of the return on investment. It’s essential to be as accurate as possible with your calculations. Accurate calculations will give investors and clients a good idea of how much the project will cost and if it’s feasible.

Additional Documents

Depending on the complexity of the proposed solution, additional documents may need to be attached to the innovation proposal. This could include technical designs, diagrams, blueprints, or white papers on related topics. These documents should clarify any confusion surrounding the content of the main proposal and provide more comprehensive information about the project.

The conclusion should summarize all of the details previously discussed within the proposal. This part should reiterate the objective of the innovation, projected outcomes, financials, and timelines. This is also where recommendations can be made regarding future action steps and the next steps for implementation.

How to Write an Innovation Proposal

Establish a thesis.

Identify the problem or opportunity you are addressing and clearly state what it is, why it matters, and how your proposed innovation will help. Make sure to back up your statements with facts and evidence. Explain your approach effectively and concisely in a way that reflects your experience and expertise.

Research Relevant Information

Gather information about the current state of the industry you’re innovating in, review relevant literature, and gather related data. This will give you an informed perspective from which you can work on.

Brainstorm Solutions

Generate ideas for possible solutions to the problem or challenge identified in step one. Draw upon both personal experiences and knowledge, as well as those found through research, to develop creative solutions.

Outline Your Proposal

Organize your thoughts by creating a detailed outline for the proposal. Divide the document into appropriate sections such as introduction, implementation plan, conclusion, and so on. Consider including tables and figures to simplify complex data.

Draft the Proposal

Using the outlined structure as a guide, start drafting the actual proposal. You can begin by creating an introduction that outlines the overall goal of your project and why it matters. Then, provide more details about the specific elements of your solution and how they fit together. Include data, diagrams, images, or other visuals if possible.

Revise & Edit

Carefully read over your draft for any errors, inconsistencies, or room for improvement. Make corrections as necessary, and feel free to revise parts or all of the text if needed. If helpful, have someone else read the proposal before submitting it for approval.

Innovation Proposal Sample Template

This innovation proposal aims to address an issue that [insert issue] and create a solution that allows for the [insert goal]. It will offer an innovative approach, utilizing [insert description of method], which is cost-effective and efficient.

[Insert company/organization] currently faces a challenge in meeting its objectives due to [explain why there’s a need for change]. A successful resolution will involve the implementation of an innovative solution that provides [list what you expect from it]. We have identified a potential solution through our research involving [describe the method], which has been used successfully in other industries and contexts.

[Provide a detailed explanation of the proposed solutions], including the costs associated with implementation. In addition, we propose [briefly outline any additional steps needed] to ensure successful implementation. This includes [a short overview of all relevant tasks] necessary to complete the project. Our research indicates that by using this approach, [organization] could reduce expenses related to [tasks] by approximately [specify amount].

The following table outlines the estimated cost of implementing the proposed solution: [Insert table here]

[Attach any documents or reports necessary to provide more detailed information regarding the implementation of the proposed solution. ]

In conclusion, we believe that this new and innovative solution offers an effective way of addressing the problem at hand. With proper implementation, we are confident that [Company] will achieve goals within [timeframe].

Final Words

Innovation proposals can be invaluable in driving progress by inspiring others to consider creative solutions. It provides a concise and clear explanation of your proposed project. This includes its goals, objectives, timeline, costs, and potential outcomes. Now that you know  how to write an innovation proposal , it’s time to use your new knowledge and write that winning proposal. Good luck!

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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How To Write A Research Proposal

A Straightforward How-To Guide (With Examples)

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | August 2019 (Updated April 2023)

Writing up a strong research proposal for a dissertation or thesis is much like a marriage proposal. It’s a task that calls on you to win somebody over and persuade them that what you’re planning is a great idea. An idea they’re happy to say ‘yes’ to. This means that your dissertation proposal needs to be   persuasive ,   attractive   and well-planned. In this post, I’ll show you how to write a winning dissertation proposal, from scratch.

Before you start:

– Understand exactly what a research proposal is – Ask yourself these 4 questions

The 5 essential ingredients:

• The title/topic
• The introduction chapter
• The scope/delimitations
• Preliminary literature review
• Design/ methodology
• Practical considerations and risks 

What Is A Research Proposal?

The research proposal is literally that: a written document that communicates what you propose to research, in a concise format. It’s where you put all that stuff that’s spinning around in your head down on to paper, in a logical, convincing fashion.

Convincing   is the keyword here, as your research proposal needs to convince the assessor that your research is   clearly articulated   (i.e., a clear research question) ,   worth doing   (i.e., is unique and valuable enough to justify the effort), and   doable   within the restrictions you’ll face (time limits, budget, skill limits, etc.). If your proposal does not address these three criteria, your research won’t be approved, no matter how “exciting” the research idea might be.

PS – if you’re completely new to proposal writing, we’ve got a detailed walkthrough video covering two successful research proposals here . 

How do I know I’m ready?

Before starting the writing process, you need to   ask yourself 4 important questions .  If you can’t answer them succinctly and confidently, you’re not ready – you need to go back and think more deeply about your dissertation topic .

You should be able to answer the following 4 questions before starting your dissertation or thesis research proposal:

• WHAT is my main research question? (the topic)
• WHO cares and why is this important? (the justification)
• WHAT data would I need to answer this question, and how will I analyse it? (the research design)
• HOW will I manage the completion of this research, within the given timelines? (project and risk management)

If you can’t answer these questions clearly and concisely,   you’re not yet ready   to write your research proposal – revisit our   post on choosing a topic .

If you can, that’s great – it’s time to start writing up your dissertation proposal. Next, I’ll discuss what needs to go into your research proposal, and how to structure it all into an intuitive, convincing document with a linear narrative.

The 5 Essential Ingredients

Research proposals can vary in style between institutions and disciplines, but here I’ll share with you a   handy 5-section structure   you can use. These 5 sections directly address the core questions we spoke about earlier, ensuring that you present a convincing proposal. If your institution already provides a proposal template, there will likely be substantial overlap with this, so you’ll still get value from reading on.

For each section discussed below, make sure you use headers and sub-headers (ideally, numbered headers) to help the reader navigate through your document, and to support them when they need to revisit a previous section. Don’t just present an endless wall of text, paragraph after paragraph after paragraph…

Top Tip:   Use MS Word Styles to format headings. This will allow you to be clear about whether a sub-heading is level 2, 3, or 4. Additionally, you can view your document in ‘outline view’ which will show you only your headings. This makes it much easier to check your structure, shift things around and make decisions about where a section needs to sit. You can also generate a 100% accurate table of contents using Word’s automatic functionality.

Ingredient #1 – Topic/Title Header

Your research proposal’s title should be your main research question in its simplest form, possibly with a sub-heading providing basic details on the specifics of the study. For example:

“Compliance with equality legislation in the charity sector: a study of the ‘reasonable adjustments’ made in three London care homes”

As you can see, this title provides a clear indication of what the research is about, in broad terms. It paints a high-level picture for the first-time reader, which gives them a taste of what to expect.   Always aim for a clear, concise title . Don’t feel the need to capture every detail of your research in your title – your proposal will fill in the gaps.

Need a helping hand?

Ingredient #2 – Introduction

In this section of your research proposal, you’ll expand on what you’ve communicated in the title, by providing a few paragraphs which offer more detail about your research topic. Importantly, the focus here is the   topic   – what will you research and why is that worth researching? This is not the place to discuss methodology, practicalities, etc. – you’ll do that later.

You should cover the following:

• An overview of the   broad area   you’ll be researching – introduce the reader to key concepts and language
• An explanation of the   specific (narrower) area   you’ll be focusing, and why you’ll be focusing there
• Your research   aims   and   objectives
• Your   research question (s) and sub-questions (if applicable)

Importantly, you should aim to use short sentences and plain language – don’t babble on with extensive jargon, acronyms and complex language. Assume that the reader is an intelligent layman – not a subject area specialist (even if they are). Remember that the   best writing is writing that can be easily understood   and digested. Keep it simple.

Note that some universities may want some extra bits and pieces in your introduction section. For example, personal development objectives, a structural outline, etc. Check your brief to see if there are any other details they expect in your proposal, and make sure you find a place for these.

Ingredient #3 – Scope

Next, you’ll need to specify what the scope of your research will be – this is also known as the delimitations . In other words, you need to make it clear what you will be covering and, more importantly, what you won’t be covering in your research. Simply put, this is about ring fencing your research topic so that you have a laser-sharp focus.

All too often, students feel the need to go broad and try to address as many issues as possible, in the interest of producing comprehensive research. Whilst this is admirable, it’s a mistake. By tightly refining your scope, you’ll enable yourself to   go deep   with your research, which is what you need to earn good marks. If your scope is too broad, you’re likely going to land up with superficial research (which won’t earn marks), so don’t be afraid to narrow things down.

Ingredient #4 – Literature Review

In this section of your research proposal, you need to provide a (relatively) brief discussion of the existing literature. Naturally, this will not be as comprehensive as the literature review in your actual dissertation, but it will lay the foundation for that. In fact, if you put in the effort at this stage, you’ll make your life a lot easier when it’s time to write your actual literature review chapter.

There are a few things you need to achieve in this section:

• Demonstrate that you’ve done your reading and are   familiar with the current state of the research   in your topic area.
• Show that   there’s a clear gap   for your specific research – i.e., show that your topic is sufficiently unique and will add value to the existing research.
• Show how the existing research has shaped your thinking regarding   research design . For example, you might use scales or questionnaires from previous studies.

When you write up your literature review, keep these three objectives front of mind, especially number two (revealing the gap in the literature), so that your literature review has a   clear purpose and direction . Everything you write should be contributing towards one (or more) of these objectives in some way. If it doesn’t, you need to ask yourself whether it’s truly needed.

Top Tip:  Don’t fall into the trap of just describing the main pieces of literature, for example, “A says this, B says that, C also says that…” and so on. Merely describing the literature provides no value. Instead, you need to   synthesise   it, and use it to address the three objectives above.

Ingredient #5 – Research Methodology

Now that you’ve clearly explained both your intended research topic (in the introduction) and the existing research it will draw on (in the literature review section), it’s time to get practical and explain exactly how you’ll be carrying out your own research. In other words, your research methodology.

In this section, you’ll need to   answer two critical questions :

• How   will you design your research? I.e., what research methodology will you adopt, what will your sample be, how will you collect data, etc.
• Why   have you chosen this design? I.e., why does this approach suit your specific research aims, objectives and questions?

In other words, this is not just about explaining WHAT you’ll be doing, it’s also about explaining WHY. In fact, the   justification is the most important part , because that justification is how you demonstrate a good understanding of research design (which is what assessors want to see).

Some essential design choices you need to cover in your research proposal include:

• Your intended research philosophy (e.g., positivism, interpretivism or pragmatism )
• What methodological approach you’ll be taking (e.g., qualitative , quantitative or mixed )
• The details of your sample (e.g., sample size, who they are, who they represent, etc.)
• What data you plan to collect (i.e. data about what, in what form?)
• How you plan to collect it (e.g., surveys , interviews , focus groups, etc.)
• How you plan to analyse it (e.g., regression analysis, thematic analysis , etc.)
• Ethical adherence (i.e., does this research satisfy all ethical requirements of your institution, or does it need further approval?)

This list is not exhaustive – these are just some core attributes of research design. Check with your institution what level of detail they expect. The “ research onion ” by Saunders et al (2009) provides a good summary of the various design choices you ultimately need to make – you can   read more about that here .

Don’t forget the practicalities…

In addition to the technical aspects, you will need to address the   practical   side of the project. In other words, you need to explain   what resources you’ll need   (e.g., time, money, access to equipment or software, etc.) and how you intend to secure these resources. You need to show that your project is feasible, so any “make or break” type resources need to already be secured. The success or failure of your project cannot depend on some resource which you’re not yet sure you have access to.

Another part of the practicalities discussion is   project and risk management . In other words, you need to show that you have a clear project plan to tackle your research with. Some key questions to address:

• What are the timelines for each phase of your project?
• Are the time allocations reasonable?
• What happens if something takes longer than anticipated (risk management)?
• What happens if you don’t get the response rate you expect?

A good way to demonstrate that you’ve thought this through is to include a Gantt chart and a risk register (in the appendix if word count is a problem). With these two tools, you can show that you’ve got a clear, feasible plan, and you’ve thought about and accounted for the potential risks.

Tip – Be honest about the potential difficulties – but show that you are anticipating solutions and workarounds. This is much more impressive to an assessor than an unrealistically optimistic proposal which does not anticipate any challenges whatsoever.

Final Touches: Read And Simplify

The final step is to edit and proofread your proposal – very carefully. It sounds obvious, but all too often poor editing and proofreading ruin a good proposal. Nothing is more off-putting for an assessor than a poorly edited, typo-strewn document. It sends the message that you either do not pay attention to detail, or just don’t care. Neither of these are good messages. Put the effort into editing and proofreading your proposal (or pay someone to do it for you) – it will pay dividends.

When you’re editing, watch out for ‘academese’. Many students can speak simply, passionately and clearly about their dissertation topic – but become incomprehensible the moment they turn the laptop on. You are not required to write in any kind of special, formal, complex language when you write academic work. Sure, there may be technical terms, jargon specific to your discipline, shorthand terms and so on. But, apart from those,   keep your written language very close to natural spoken language   – just as you would speak in the classroom. Imagine that you are explaining your project plans to your classmates or a family member. Remember, write for the intelligent layman, not the subject matter experts. Plain-language, concise writing is what wins hearts and minds – and marks!

Let’s Recap: Research Proposal 101

And there you have it – how to write your dissertation or thesis research proposal, from the title page to the final proof. Here’s a quick recap of the key takeaways:

• The purpose of the research proposal is to   convince   – therefore, you need to make a clear, concise argument of why your research is both worth doing and doable.
• Make sure you can ask the critical what, who, and how questions of your research   before   you put pen to paper.
• Title – provides the first taste of your research, in broad terms
• Introduction – explains what you’ll be researching in more detail
• Scope – explains the boundaries of your research
• Literature review – explains how your research fits into the existing research and why it’s unique and valuable
• Research methodology – explains and justifies how you will carry out your own research

Hopefully, this post has helped you better understand how to write up a winning research proposal. If you enjoyed it, be sure to check out the rest of the Grad Coach Blog . If your university doesn’t provide any template for your proposal, you might want to try out our free research proposal template .

Psst… there’s more!

This post is an extract from our bestselling short course, Research Proposal Bootcamp . If you want to work smart, you don't want to miss this .

30 Comments

Thank you so much for the valuable insight that you have given, especially on the research proposal. That is what I have managed to cover. I still need to go back to the other parts as I got disturbed while still listening to Derek’s audio on you-tube. I am inspired. I will definitely continue with Grad-coach guidance on You-tube.

Thanks for the kind words :). All the best with your proposal.

First of all, thanks a lot for making such a wonderful presentation. The video was really useful and gave me a very clear insight of how a research proposal has to be written. I shall try implementing these ideas in my RP.

Once again, I thank you for this content.

I found reading your outline on writing research proposal very beneficial. I wish there was a way of submitting my draft proposal to you guys for critiquing before I submit to the institution.

Hi Bonginkosi

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, we do provide a review service. The best starting point is to have a chat with one of our coaches here: https://gradcoach.com/book/new/ .

Hello team GRADCOACH, may God bless you so much. I was totally green in research. Am so happy for your free superb tutorials and resources. Once again thank you so much Derek and his team.

You’re welcome, Erick. Good luck with your research proposal 🙂

thank you for the information. its precise and on point.

Really a remarkable piece of writing and great source of guidance for the researchers. GOD BLESS YOU for your guidance. Regards

Thanks so much for your guidance. It is easy and comprehensive the way you explain the steps for a winning research proposal.

Thank you guys so much for the rich post. I enjoyed and learn from every word in it. My problem now is how to get into your platform wherein I can always seek help on things related to my research work ? Secondly, I wish to find out if there is a way I can send my tentative proposal to you guys for examination before I take to my supervisor Once again thanks very much for the insights

Thanks for your kind words, Desire.

If you are based in a country where Grad Coach’s paid services are available, you can book a consultation by clicking the “Book” button in the top right.

Best of luck with your studies.

May God bless you team for the wonderful work you are doing,

If I have a topic, Can I submit it to you so that you can draft a proposal for me?? As I am expecting to go for masters degree in the near future.

Thanks for your comment. We definitely cannot draft a proposal for you, as that would constitute academic misconduct. The proposal needs to be your own work. We can coach you through the process, but it needs to be your own work and your own writing.

Best of luck with your research!

I found a lot of many essential concepts from your material. it is real a road map to write a research proposal. so thanks a lot. If there is any update material on your hand on MBA please forward to me.

GradCoach is a professional website that presents support and helps for MBA student like me through the useful online information on the page and with my 1-on-1 online coaching with the amazing and professional PhD Kerryen.

Thank you Kerryen so much for the support and help 🙂

I really recommend dealing with such a reliable services provider like Gradcoah and a coach like Kerryen.

Hi, Am happy for your service and effort to help students and researchers, Please, i have been given an assignment on research for strategic development, the task one is to formulate a research proposal to support the strategic development of a business area, my issue here is how to go about it, especially the topic or title and introduction. Please, i would like to know if you could help me and how much is the charge.

This content is practical, valuable, and just great!

Thank you very much!

Hi Derek, Thank you for the valuable presentation. It is very helpful especially for beginners like me. I am just starting my PhD.

This is quite instructive and research proposal made simple. Can I have a research proposal template?

Great! Thanks for rescuing me, because I had no former knowledge in this topic. But with this piece of information, I am now secured. Thank you once more.

I enjoyed listening to your video on how to write a proposal. I think I will be able to write a winning proposal with your advice. I wish you were to be my supervisor.

Dear Derek Jansen,

Thank you for your great content. I couldn’t learn these topics in MBA, but now I learned from GradCoach. Really appreciate your efforts….

From Afghanistan!

I have got very essential inputs for startup of my dissertation proposal. Well organized properly communicated with video presentation. Thank you for the presentation.

Wow, this is absolutely amazing guys. Thank you so much for the fruitful presentation, you’ve made my research much easier.

this helps me a lot. thank you all so much for impacting in us. may god richly bless you all

How I wish I’d learn about Grad Coach earlier. I’ve been stumbling around writing and rewriting! Now I have concise clear directions on how to put this thing together. Thank you!

Fantastic!! Thank You for this very concise yet comprehensive guidance.

Even if I am poor in English I would like to thank you very much.

Thank you very much, this is very insightful.

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OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR Research and Innovation

Proposal writing guide, before you start writing.

Before beginning to write your proposal, it is important to take preparatory steps to arm yourself with useful information. Read " Becoming a Successful Principal Investigator " by David A. Stone to get started.

Proposal writing is different from other types of academic writing. Read “ Why Academics Have a Hard Time Writing Good Grant Proposals ” by Robert Porter to learn why and how to adapt.

Award databases  are useful for assessing a sponsor's funding trends, supported projects and award levels to make sure that your expectations are in line with theirs.

• Federal RePORTER
• USASpending.gov
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• ClinicalTrials.gov
• Environmental Protection Agency Integrated Grants Management System (IGMS)
• Health Resources and Services Administration
• Institute of Museum and Library Services
• National Institutes of Health RePORTER
• National Science Foundation Awards Search
• National Endowment for the Humanities Recent Grant Awards and Funded Projects Query Form
• U.S. Department of Energy
• U.S. Department of Education
• U.S. Department of Agriculture Current Research Information System (CRIS)
• Foundation awards: Use the Foundation Center’s 990 Finder or contact Melissa Throckmorton  
• Sponsors may invest in your project, and have a financial interest in the knowledge that can be gained from the research or programming. Therefore, the project must align with their mission and goals. Although it is tempting to write one proposal and shop it around to several funders, this is ultimately a poor strategy. Make sure to do your homework on each sponsor. What is their strategic plan? What are their current priorities? What have they funded in the past? Who have they funded in the past? Is your project a good fit for this sponsor?
• The Request for Proposals is not a suggestion – it is a non-negotiable outline of performance expectations that the sponsor has for each applicant. Therefore, use it to your advantage. Quote language from the solicitation in your proposal to show your project’s alignment with the sponsor’s mission.
• Write for the reviewers, not yourself . The reviewers have not shared the long journey of developing this concept to the point as it appears in the proposal, so they do not carry the same assumptions as you do. At the same time, they are experts in their respective fields with busy professional and personal lives. They will rely on your ability to synthesize and explain with the utmost clarity.
• Competitive writing style starts with clear thinking . Can you explain your project verbally, in less than 75 words? Can someone with no experience in the field understand your explanation? Would that person also be excited about the project?
• Remember that the proposal (from cover page to appendices) must tell a single, coherent story . If anything is incomplete, sloppy, or inconsistent with other parts, the reviewers will be confused. This often happens when several people are writing sections independently, and the final document is cut and pasted together. Have several people who know absolutely nothing of your efforts read the proposal before you submit it.
• You won’t be at the review to explain what is on paper . Reviewers generally have a lot of proposals to read and devote a small amount of time to each one. Use section headers, bullets, tables and figures, and white space – all formatting elements that make your proposal “skimmable” and visually appealing.
• Wow the reviewer with the first paragraph . Show your passion for the topic as well as the project’s relevance to the funder’s interests. Use strong declarative verbs and short sentences to hold their interest. Avoid jargon. If you lose the reviewer on the first page, you may never get him or her back.
• Good proposal writing always takes much longer than you anticipate . Because many funding opportunities are solicited on an annual basis, use advance notice to prepare. Solidify your partnerships and identify gaps in your team. Affirm the logic of your design. Conduct a pilot study if needed. Determine what boilerplate language you will need and where to get it. Update and collect biographical sketches. Talk with the program officer (see "Contacting Program Officers" section below) to make sure your project is a good fit. Talk to past awardees. Obtain and analyze funded proposals. Establish a work plan. Learn the electronic submission process. Take required training.
• Don’t make errors that can be avoided : You are ineligible. You include an unallowable cost. You exceed page or margin limits. You include information that is not allowed.
• Learn the game(s) . There is not just one right answer to writing a competitive proposal. Try to obtain copies of funded and unfunded proposals. Serve on a review panel (see "Become a Reviewer" section below). Attend grantsmanship trainings hosted by a variety of organizations to see multiple perspectives. Ask several people, with a range of expertise and interests, to critique your proposal before submitting it to the sponsor.

A Guide to Proposal Planning and Writing , by Jeremy T. Miner and Lynne E. Miner: This article provides an overview of the key considerations you should take when writing to federal and private sponsors.

On the Art of Writing Proposals , Social Science Research Council: Although aimed at applicants to the Social Science Research Council, this publication offers quality advice that can be applied to any proposal.

Foundation proposals

One Program Officer's Candid Tips for Grantseekers , by Joel Orosz: Provides critical information for those considering approaching a foundation for support.

Proposal Writing Short Course , the Foundation Center: Essential information from the Foundation Center if you are planning to write a proposal to a private funder.

For graduate students and postdocs

Getting Your Postdoc Grant – It Takes More than Just Writing , by Dan McCurdy: This is a firsthand account of experiences, impressions and thoughts dealing with the postdoctoral grant process.

National Institutes of Health

Office of Extramural Research : Includes detailed information about NIH grants process and funding opportunities, access to forms, explains grants policy and assists with electronic research administration.

New Investigator Guide to NIH Funding : Produced by NIAID, “this document outlines strategies for gaining an NIH grant and explains basic funding concepts and processes to new and would-be principal investigators.”

Center for Scientific Review : Find out which study section will review your NIH application prior to submitting. Here, you can also find tips for applicants , such as the review criteria for each award mechanism.

National Science Foundation

Funding Policies : Maintained by the NSF Policy Office, this page provides access to the key information related to developing and submitting competitive proposals to the agency, as well as managing awards.

Merit Review : Provides an explanation of the proposal review process and gives guidance on the NSF’s two merit review criteria —  Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts.

Postdoc Mentoring Plans : Proposals to the NSF that request funding for postdocs must include a description of mentoring activities they will engage in. 

VCU's Corporate and Foundation Relations office works to secure private support for university priorities by fostering relationships with corporations, foundations and other philanthropic organizations. Housed in Central Advancement, the CFR staff works alongside schools, centers and research units on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses to identify and coordinate activities with corporations and foundations to secure support for research, academic and outreach projects.

Before submitting any proposal to a private sponsor, you must notify CFR staff of your intentions.

DMPTool : Many sponsors require that all applications include a data management plan describing how the project will disseminate and share research results. Use the DMPTool to create these plans, see samples and get assistance.

National Institutes of Health: " Should I Contact a Program Officer Before I Apply? "

Robert Porter: “ Can We Talk? Contacting Grant Program Officers .” (Research Management Review, Vol. 17, No. 1, 2009)

National Endowment for the Humanities : Add your name to the PRISM database.

National Institutes of Health : Instructions for junior and senior scientists interested in serving on study sections.

Department of Veterans Affairs : Sample call for reviewers.

Research and Innovation

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Research Proposal Preparation

Preparing a proposal for submission.

The submission of a proposal is the common avenue of approaching potential sponsors for support of research or other projects. The process of writing proposals—which clearly defines the ideas, concepts, and solutions, as well as the problem, and states the advantages or benefits to be gained as a result of the efforts proposed—is an important task. The burden of proposal writing rests with the faculty member who will be designated as the principal investigator (PI) or project director and who will be responsible for the project upon award. Prior to preparation of a formal proposal, there is a considerable amount of preliminary work which should be accomplished to avoid unnecessary effort.

GCA does not guarantee the submission of proposals that do not allow for sufficient time to complete the necessary review and navigate an appropriate proposal submission. There is a 6-business-day deadline in which the PI must submit all required proposal documents in order to receive a full comprehensive review from GCA. If an award is made based on a late submission of a proposal, the PI and the department or other university unit will be responsible for covering costs incurred by UNT as a result of any proposal errors. Such costs might include cost sharing commitments, inaccurate rate calculations for indirect costs, or unallowable commitments of UNT resources. UNT reserves the right to review and request changes prior to acceptance of an award or to decline an award if the budget or other commitments contained in the proposal do not conform to UNT specifications or requirements.

Common Sponsored Project Information

The University of North Texas has standard Institutional Information that is commonly required for proposal submissions. Frequently used information for proposals can be found on the GCA Website: https://research.unt.edu/research-services/grants-and-contracts/codes-and-numbers

• Preliminaries to Proposal Preparation
• General Requirements
• Public Access to Research Using Data Management Plans
• Proposal Preparation
• Preparing Proposal Budgets
• Representations and Certifications
• Cost Sharing
• Electronic Submission of Proposals
• Multiple Solicitations
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Frequently Used Resources

• Disclose an Invention
• UNT Research Roadmap

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Research and innovation menu, research and innovation, national institutes of health proposal writing resources.

This page provides tools for researchers applying to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research funding including this helpful  overview of tips and resources for new applicants . Please use the additional resources below to help you design, write, and meet the requirements for proposals to the NIH.

Proposal Support by Funding Type

The buttons below will take you to a page with a checklist and templates based on the NIH  guidance for each component of a particular NIH grant mechanism. Use the templates to begin writing each element, and use the checklist to keep track of timing and what parties at UO are responsible for various pieces of an application.

Guidance & Resources

• Biographical Sketch
• Data Management and Sharing Plan
• Human Subjects and Clinical Trials 
• Boilerplate on UO Facilities and Other Resources
• Samples of Applications, Attachments, and Other Documents
• NIH All About Grants Podcast  
• Examples of NIH Applications and Ancillary Documents  
• Examples of NIH Biosketches
• Deconstructing Specific Aims (Northwestern University)
• The Art of Grantsmanship (Human Frontier Science Program)
• Lessons Learned from 10,000 Proposal Reviews: Top Reviewer Criticisms and How to Avoid Them - video from AAAS's Research Competitiveness Program ( synopsis )
• External Review of Proposals - funds to hire content-experts
• Graphics and Visualization of Science Resources - funds to contract graphic designers
• Subject Librarians help you identify relevant literature and citation tools for organizing your resources
• Digital Scholarship Services supports digital scholarship, research data management, and the use of digital primary source materials and artifacts
• DREAM (Digital Research, Education And Media) Lab   - digital scholarship center
• Zotero , Mendeley , EndNote - citation tools

Research Development Services Training Videos

• How to Write a Specific Aims Page for the NIH - 2022 video (20 min):   Watch this video to learn the art of writing the specific aims document for NIH grants, the most important component of your application. ( Overview of Aims Video )
• Preparing Your First NIH Proposal - 2022 video (17 min): This video covers resources available through RDS and the NIH and essential grant writing tips for the NIH. ( Overview of Prep Video )  

The NIH has produced significant content on various elements of the agency, proposal preparation, and merit review. 

Conference Videos

• Fundamentals of the NIH Grant Process and Need to Know Resources   (34 min): A walk-through of the NIH grants process and give you an overview of key resources and websites you will need to be successful. Timetable for Video ( PowerPoint )
• Finding and Understanding Funding Opportunity Announcements   (13 min): Learn about the different types of funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) including requests for applications, parent announcements, and program announcements; where to find them; and explore the sections of a sample FOA. Timetable for Video ( PowerPoint ) 
• Grant Writing for Success  (25 min): Provides insights and helpful hints on preparing an application for submission. Learn how to avoid common mistakes in writing grant applications and correct typical misconceptions about the grant review process.  Timetable for Video ( PowerPoint ) 
• NIH Peer Review: "Live" Mock Study Section  (45 min): Models how a peer review meeting is conducted and goes over common questions asked by reviewers and mistakes by applicants. Timetable for Video  
• Understanding NRSA Fellowships & Training Grants  (45 min): The administrative and financial aspects of National Research Services Awards (NRSA) fellowships and training grants. Timetable for Video ( PowerPoint ) 
• Understanding Career Development "K" Awards   (43 min): Learn about "K" awards, which fund research training opportunities for scientists and clinicians at various stages of their careers. Timetable for Video ( PowerPoint ) 
• Understanding the New NIH Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy (87 min): Learn about the new requirements for providing data management plans for all NIH research applications. 

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• eRA Commons Overview  (4 min):   An overview of eRA Commons, the IT infrastructure for managing NIH grants. All applicants must have an eRA account before proposal submission.
• How to Get a User ID for eRA Commons   (2 min):   Highlights the steps an institutional official takes to create your account in eRA Commons. 
• NIH RePORTER Tool  (5 min): Learn RePORTER database is a repository of all grant-funded projects funded by the NIH. (5 min)
• NIH Matchmaker  (3 min):   Learn about Matchmaker, an extension of the NIH RePorter system that makes it easy to find which Centers and Institutes have funded similar work to your proposed project and find the right program officers to contact before submitting your application. (3 min)
• A Walk-through of the PHS Human Subjects & Clinical Trials Information Form  (6 min):   A walk-through filling out the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials form, which is used to collect detailed study-level information for the protocols including in NIH applications. (6 min) 

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Proposal Writing for Research & Innovation Projects

From the Fundamentals to Developing Winning Proposals

This course is aimed at equipping individuals in organisations of all types and sizes (Universities, NGOs, SMEs, Cities, etc) – who have the responsibility for developing project proposals – with the necessary skills and know-how in order to produce engaging, high quality, successful bids. While the material taught is useful for any type of proposal irrespective of funding stream, the course does have a special focus on R&D / innovation-style proposals for Horizon Europe and especially proposals for the funding streams: Global Challenges & Industrial Competitiveness, and Innovative Europe which concentrate 67% of the funds under Horizon Europe. The course offers a complete insight to writing and submitting competitive proposals in response to Horizon Europe calls with tips, guidelines and practice sessions. The combination of examples and hands-on online exercises will introduce you to all aspects that you need to know from identifying the right call for your project idea, to developing a convincing project concept, a carefully planned implementation and risk management plan, a powerful impact statement, and a well-constructed dissemination and exploitation plan: in essence, everything required to submit a competitive proposal, plus guidelines on how to evaluate and score your own proposal before submitting it. With the new programming period 2021 – 2027, the EU budget envisages even more important investment focus on Research and Innovation, with a strengthened budget under framework Horizon Europe and many innovation funding opportunities under both the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and Next Generation EU (NGEU). We will discover together all these funding opportunities while exploring the different notions of innovation. This is an “applied”/interactive course which concentrates on the most important elements evaluators look for in project proposals and systematically works with the participants to produce mastery of those elements. The course is structured in 3 days in order to avoid information overload and to allow participants the necessary time to absorb and process all new information before moving to a new topic. Each day closes either with a discussion session or a workshop session in order to enhance knowledge absorption. More information here---> https://www.europeanacademy.com/proposal-writing-for-research-and-innovation-projects/?utm_source=Cordis&utm_medium=News%20Post%2015%2F6%2F2021&utm_campaign=proposal%20writing%20for%20research%20and%20innovation%20projects

Horizon2020, H2020, FP7, EC, EU Project, EC Grant, EU Fund, HorizonEU, HorizonEurope, MSCA, Techniques for Project Design, Innovative Training Networks, European Training Networks, Audit, Auditing Activities, Finance, Project Cost, Project Management, Ecalyation, Workshop, Webinar, Certification, Training Course, Practice, Research, Innovation, Model Grant Agreement, Project Financial Statement, Project Audit, Eligible Costs, Direct Costs, CFS, COM, COMAV, Audit Report

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Last update: 16 June 2021

Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/430299-proposal-writing-for-research-innovation-projects

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Tips for Developing a Training Grant Proposal

Research Development Services (RDS)

—TUCSON, AZ—

Follow these steps, and you'll be well on your way to developing a successful training grant proposal!

• Utilize the RDS Training Grants Resources website  
• Heed the following advice from current training grant principal investigators:  

"Go for training grants in areas you're passionate about. Writing these things is truly a labor of love. Make sure it's a need you feel comfortable filling whether or not you're an expert in that area." — Michael Johnson , Associate Professor of Immunobiology and and PI for NSF-funded National Summer Undergraduate Research Project (NSURP)

"Be sure to put together a community of people as excited as you are about the project, and don't just focus on the science but also think about people who will reinforce connections and keep things running in the day-in, day-out tasks." — Heather Ingram , Program Manager for NSF-funded  Building Resources for Interdisciplinary Training in Genomic and Ecosystem Sciences (BRIDGES)

"I'd recommend finding a co-PI. My co-PI and I are very different people, but we work well together. It's amazing how, when one of us has a hyper-crazy schedule, the other can fill in." — Scott Saleska , Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and PI for NSF-funded  Building Resources for Interdisciplinary Training in Genomic and Ecosystem Sciences (BRIDGES)

"Talk to the agency about the grants you're interested in. NIH is surprisingly approachable, and talking with them goes a long way to hone your ideas into something they'll actually fund." — Felicia Goodrum , Professor of Immunobiology and PI of Infection and Inflammation as Drivers of Aging (IIDA) , funded by NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

"Talk to at least three people on campus who have training grants; they're all listed on the new website. Then, come talk to us at the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in the graduate college. One of our university's strengths that interests funding agencies is its support of diverse students. We're still a work in progress, but we do much better than most of the top 30 public schools. We can give you information to emphasize that in your proposal."— Frans Tax , Molecular and Cellular Biology Professor and PI for NIH-funded Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD)

"Make sure real-life, hands-on work is an essential part of the training." — Kevin Fitzsimmons , Researcher and Professor of Environmental Science and PI for USDA-funded Preparing Hispanic and other Underrepresented Students in Fisheries and Aquaculture

Read " Principal investigators share the unique significance and challenges of training grants " for more from UArizona training grant PIs. 

Subscribe to the UArizona Impact in Action newsletter to receive featured stories and event info to connect you with UArizona's research, innovation, entrepreneurial ventures, and societal impacts.

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Crafting a standout grant proposal: tips and success stories.

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Careers Professional Development

Securing grant funding requires more than a compelling research topic – your project design and overall proposal presentation quality are equally crucial.

Join an engaging panel discussion on grant proposal writing led by Program Officers Laura Fernandez and Allegra Liberman-Martin from the Office of Research Grants at ACS that will ease your stress regarding funding your research and strengthen your grant application Register now to learn effective writing strategies, understand reviewer evaluation criteria, and avoid common grant writing pitfalls. Gain insights from successful grant recipients, including Professors Charlisa Daniels of Northern Kentucky University, Jodie Lutkenhaus of Texas A&M University, and Julian West of Rice University.

What You Will Learn

• Perspectives from successful grant recipients
• Advice on developing a competitive grant proposal
• How to handle rejection and use it as a learning experience

Meet The Experts

• Charlisa Daniels , Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Kentucky University
• Jodie Lutkenhaus , Professor, Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University
• Julian G. West , Assistant Professor, Chemistry, Rice University
• Laura Fernandez & Allegra Liberman-Martin , Program Officers, Office of Research Grants, American Chemical Society

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How to Write an Investment Proposal [Template + Examples]

Published: June 28, 2024

As a writer, I’m extremely familiar with the concept of proposals. We write these sorts of proposals to convert clients, persuade buyers, and grow our business in the short term. However, investment proposals are a bit different — these proposals are written with a unique purpose for a specific audience and with some high stakes attached.

An investment proposal is the key to long-term business growth for many businesses, so it’s important to get it right.

In this article, I’ll define investment proposals, compare them to the business proposal, and then break down the components. I’ll provide a template, look at investment proposal examples, and even hear some tips for writing from a professional.

Table of Contents

What is an Investment Proposal?

Investment proposal vs. business proposal, 10 components of an investment proposal, how to write an investment proposal [+template], investment proposal examples [+tips].

An investment proposal is a document outlining the plan for a business. You use it to attract or convert investors to fund your organization. It covers the strategy of your business, the market, and financial projections, making it an essential document for conversion — empowering them to invest.

Don't forget to share this post!

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Watch CBS News

What is Project 2025? What to know about the conservative blueprint for a second Trump administration

By Melissa Quinn , Jacob Rosen

Updated on: July 11, 2024 / 9:40 AM EDT / CBS News

Washington — Voters in recent weeks have begun to hear the name "Project 2025" invoked more and more by President Biden and Democrats, as they seek to sound the alarm about what could be in store if former President Donald Trump wins a second term in the White House.

Overseen by the conservative Heritage Foundation, the multi-pronged initiative includes a detailed blueprint for the next Republican president to usher in a sweeping overhaul of the executive branch.

Trump and his campaign have worked to distance themselves from Project 2025, with the former president going so far as to call some of the proposals "abysmal." But Democrats have continued to tie the transition project to Trump, especially as they find themselves mired in their own controversy over whether Mr. Biden should withdraw from the 2024 presidential contest following his startling debate performance last month.

Here is what to know about Project 2025:

What is Project 2025?

Project 2025 is a proposed presidential transition project that is composed of four pillars: a policy guide for the next presidential administration; a LinkedIn-style database of personnel who could serve in the next administration; training for that pool of candidates dubbed the "Presidential Administration Academy;" and a playbook of actions to be taken within the first 180 days in office.

It is led by two former Trump administration officials: Paul Dans, who was chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management and serves as director of the project, and Spencer Chretien, former special assistant to Trump and now the project's associate director.

Project 2025 is spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation, but includes an advisory board consisting of more than 100 conservative groups.

Much of the focus on — and criticism of — Project 2025 involves its first pillar, the nearly 900-page policy book that lays out an overhaul of the federal government. Called "Mandate for Leadership 2025: The Conservative Promise," the book builds on a "Mandate for Leadership" first published in January 1981, which sought to serve as a roadmap for Ronald Reagan's incoming administration.

The recommendations outlined in the sprawling plan reach every corner of the executive branch, from the Executive Office of the President to the Department of Homeland Security to the little-known Export-Import Bank. 

The Heritage Foundation also created a "Mandate for Leadership" in 2015 ahead of Trump's first term. Two years into his presidency, it touted that Trump had instituted 64% of its policy recommendations, ranging from leaving the Paris Climate Accords, increasing military spending, and increasing off-shore drilling and developing federal lands. In July 2020, the Heritage Foundation gave its updated version of the book to then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. 

The authors of many chapters are familiar names from the Trump administration, such as Russ Vought, who led the Office of Management and Budget; former acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller; and Roger Severino, who was director of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Vought is the policy director for the 2024 Republican National Committee's platform committee, which released its proposed platform on Monday. 

John McEntee, former director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office under Trump, is a senior advisor to the Heritage Foundation, and said that the group will "integrate a lot of our work" with the Trump campaign when the official transition efforts are announced in the next few months.

Candidates interested in applying for the Heritage Foundation's "Presidential Personnel Database" are vetted on a number of political stances, such as whether they agree or disagree with statements like "life has a right to legal protection from conception to natural death," and "the President should be able to advance his/her agenda through the bureaucracy without hindrance from unelected federal officials."

The contributions from ex-Trump administration officials have led its critics to tie Project 2025 to his reelection campaign, though the former president has attempted to distance himself from the initiative.

What are the Project 2025 plans?

Some of the policies in the Project 2025 agenda have been discussed by Republicans for years or pushed by Trump himself: less federal intervention in education and more support for school choice; work requirements for able-bodied, childless adults on food stamps; and a secure border with increased enforcement of immigration laws, mass deportations and construction of a border wall. 

But others have come under scrutiny in part because of the current political landscape. 

Abortion and social issues

In recommendations for the Department of Health and Human Services, the agenda calls for the Food and Drug Administration to reverse its 24-year-old approval of the widely used abortion pill mifepristone. Other proposed actions targeting medication abortion include reinstating more stringent rules for mifepristone's use, which would permit it to be taken up to seven weeks into a pregnancy, instead of the current 10 weeks, and requiring it to be dispensed in-person instead of through the mail.

The Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group that is on the Project 2025 advisory board, was involved in a legal challenge to mifepristone's 2000 approval and more recent actions from the FDA that made it easier to obtain. But the Supreme Court rejected the case brought by a group of anti-abortion rights doctors and medical associations on procedural grounds.

The policy book also recommends the Justice Department enforce the Comstock Act against providers and distributors of abortion pills. That 1873 law prohibits drugs, medicines or instruments used in abortions from being sent through the mail.

Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade , the volume states that the Justice Department "in the next conservative administration should therefore announce its intent to enforce federal law against providers and distributors of such pills."

The guide recommends the next secretary of Health and Human Services get rid of the Reproductive Healthcare Access Task Force established by the Biden administration before Roe's reversal and create a "pro-life task force to ensure that all of the department's divisions seek to use their authority to promote the life and health of women and their unborn children."

In a section titled "The Family Agenda," the proposal recommends the Health and Human Services chief "proudly state that men and women are biological realities," and that "married men and women are the ideal, natural family structure because all children have a right to be raised by the men and women who conceived them."

Further, a program within the Health and Human Services Department should "maintain a biblically based, social science-reinforced definition of marriage and family."

During his first four years in office, Trump banned transgender people from serving in the military. Mr. Biden reversed that policy , but the Project 2025 policy book calls for the ban to be reinstated.

Targeting federal agencies, employees and policies

The agenda takes aim at longstanding federal agencies, like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. The agency is a component of the Commerce Department and the policy guide calls for it to be downsized. 

NOAA's six offices, including the National Weather Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, "form a colossal operation that has become one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry and, as such, is harmful to future U.S. prosperity," the guide states. 

The Department of Homeland Security, established in 2002, should be dismantled and its agencies either combined with others, or moved under the purview of other departments altogether, the policy book states. For example, immigration-related entities from the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice and Health and Human Services should form a standalone, Cabinet-level border and immigration agency staffed by more than 100,000 employees, according to the agenda.

If the policy recommendations are implemented, another federal agency that could come under the knife by the next administration, with action from Congress, is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The agenda seeks to bring a push by conservatives to target diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives in higher education to the executive branch by wiping away a slew of DEI-related positions, policies and programs and calling for the elimination of funding for partners that promote DEI practices.

It states that U.S. Agency for International Development staff and grantees that "engage in ideological agitation on behalf of the DEI agenda" should be terminated. At the Treasury Department, the guide says the next administration should "treat the participation in any critical race theory or DEI initiative without objecting on constitutional or moral grounds, as per se grounds for termination of employment."

The Project 2025 policy book also takes aim at more innocuous functions of government. It calls for the next presidential administration to eliminate or reform the dietary guidelines that have been published by the Department of Agriculture for more than 40 years, which the authors claim have been "infiltrated" by issues like climate change and sustainability.

Immigration

Trump made immigration a cornerstone of his last two presidential runs and has continued to hammer the issue during his 2024 campaign. Project 2025's agenda not only recommends finishing the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, but urges the next administration to "take a creative and aggressive approach" to responding to drug cartels at the border. This approach includes using active-duty military personnel and the National Guard to help with arrest operations along the southern border.

A memo from Immigration and Customs Enforcement that prohibits enforcement actions from taking place at "sensitive" places like schools, playgrounds and churches should be rolled back, the policy guide states. 

When the Homeland Security secretary determines there is an "actual or anticipated mass migration of aliens" that presents "urgent circumstances" warranting a federal response, the agenda says the secretary can make rules and regulations, including through their expulsion, for as long as necessary. These rules, the guide states, aren't subject to the Administration Procedure Act, which governs the agency rule-making process.

What do Trump and his advisers say about Project 2025?

In a post to his social media platform on July 5, Trump wrote , "I know nothing about Project 2025. I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things they're saying and some of the things they're saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them."

Trump's pushback to the initiative came after Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts said in a podcast interview that the nation is "in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be."

The former president continued to disavow the initiative this week, writing in another social media post  that he knows nothing about Project 2025.

"I have not seen it, have no idea who is in charge of it, and, unlike our very well received Republican Platform, had nothing to do with it," Trump wrote. "The Radical Left Democrats are having a field day, however, trying to hook me into whatever policies are stated or said. It is pure disinformation on their part. By now, after all of these years, everyone knows where I stand on EVERYTHING!"

While the former president said he doesn't know who is in charge of the initiative, the project's director, Dans, and associate director, Chretien, were high-ranking officials in his administration. Additionally, Ben Carson, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Trump; John Ratcliffe, former director of National Intelligence in the Trump administration; and Peter Navarro, who served as a top trade adviser to Trump in the White House, are listed as either authors or contributors to the policy agenda.

Still, even before Roberts' comments during "The War Room" podcast — typically hosted by conservative commentator Steve Bannon, who reported to federal prison to begin serving a four-month sentence last week — Trump's top campaign advisers have stressed that Project 2025 has no official ties to his reelection bid.

Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, senior advisers to the Trump campaign, said in a November statement that 2024 policy announcements will be made by Trump or his campaign team.

"Any personnel lists, policy agendas, or government plans published anywhere are merely suggestions," they said.

While the efforts by outside organizations are "appreciated," Wiles and LaCivita said, "none of these groups or individuals speak for President Trump or his campaign."

In response to Trump's post last week, Project 2025 reiterated that it was separate from the Trump campaign.

"As we've been saying for more than two years now, Project 2025 does not speak for any candidate or campaign. We are a coalition of more than 110 conservative groups advocating policy & personnel recommendations for the next conservative president. But it is ultimately up to that president, who we believe will be President Trump, to decide which recommendations to implement," a statement on the project's X account said.

The initiative has also pushed back on Democrats' claims about its policy proposals and accused them of lying about what the agenda contains.

What do Democrats say?

Despite their attempts to keep some distance from Project 2025, Democrats continue to connect Trump with the transition effort. The Biden-Harris campaign frequently posts about the project on X, tying it to a second Trump term.

Mr. Biden himself accused his Republican opponent of lying about his connections to the Project 2025 agenda, saying in a statement that the agenda was written for Trump and "should scare every single American." He claimed on his campaign social media account  Wednesday that Project 2025 "will destroy America."

Congressional Democrats have also begun pivoting to Project 2025 when asked in interviews about Mr. Biden's fitness for a second term following his lackluster showing at the June 27 debate, the first in which he went head-to-head with Trump.

"Trump is all about Project 2025," Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman told CNN on Monday. "I mean, that's what we really should be voting on right now. It's like, do we want the kind of president that is all about Project '25?"

Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, one of Mr. Biden's closest allies on Capitol Hill, told reporters Monday that the agenda for the next Republican president was the sole topic he would talk about.

"Project 2025, that's my only concern," he said. "I don't want you or my granddaughter to live under that government."

In a statement reiterating her support for Mr. Biden, Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida called Project 2025 "MAGA Republicans' draconian 920-page plan to end U.S. democracy, give handouts to the wealthy and strip Americans of their freedoms."

What are Republicans saying about Project 2025?

Two GOP senators under consideration to serve as Trump's running mate sought to put space between the White House hopeful and Project 2025, casting it as merely the product of a think tank that puts forth ideas.

"It's the work of a think tank, of a center-right think tank, and that's what think tanks do," Florida Sen. Marco Rubio told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.

He said Trump's message to voters focuses on "restoring common sense, working-class values, and making our decisions on the basis of that."

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance raised a similar sentiment in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press," saying organizations will have good ideas and bad ideas.

"It's a 900-page document," he said Sunday. "I guarantee there are things that Trump likes and dislikes about that 900-page document. But he is the person who will determine the agenda of the next administration."

Jaala Brown contributed to this report.

Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com. She has written for outlets including the Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and Alexandria Times. Melissa covers U.S. politics, with a focus on the Supreme Court and federal courts.

More from CBS News

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Top Biden aides meet with Senate Democrats amid concerns about debate

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Epale - electronic platform for adult learning in europe, event details, proposal writing for research & innovation projects.

This course is aimed at equipping individuals in  organisations of all types and sizes  (Universities, NGOs, SMEs, Cities, etc) – who have the responsibility for developing project proposals – with the  necessary skills and know-how  in order to produce  engaging, high quality, successful bids . While, the material taught is useful for any type of proposal irrespective of funding stream, the course does have a  special focus on R&D / innovation-style proposals for Horizon Europe and especially proposals for the funding streams:

• Global Challenges & Industrial Competitiveness, and
• Innovative Europe

which concentrate 67% of the funds under Horizon Europe.

The course offers a complete insight to writing and submitting competitive proposals in response to Horizon Europe calls with  tips, guidelines and practice sessions.  The combination of examples and hands-on online exercises will introduce you to all aspects that you need to know from identifying the right call for your project idea, to developing a convincing project concept, a carefully planned implementation and risk management plan, a powerful impact statement, and a well-constructed dissemination and exploitation plan: in essence, everything required to submit a competitive proposal, plus guidelines on how to evaluate and score your own proposal before submitting it.

With the new programming period 2021 – 2027, the EU budget envisages even more important investment focus on Research and Innovation, with a strengthened budget under framework Horizon Europe and many innovation funding opportunities under both the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and Next Generation EU (NGEU). We will discover together all these funding opportunities while exploring the different notions of innovation.

This is an  “applied”/interactive course  which concentrates on the  most important elements evaluators look for   in project proposals  and systematically works with the participants to produce mastery of those elements. The course is structured in 3 days in order to avoid information overload and to allow participants the necessary time to absorb and process all new information before moving to a new topic. Each day closes either with a discussion session or a workshop session in order to enhance knowledge absorption.

Short Course Agenda:  

MATCHING PROJECTS TO FUNDING SOURCES

1 Overview of the Programming Period 2021-2027 funding opportunities

2 Types of funding streams under Innovation Policy 2021-2027 & the small details under each funding stream that matter

3 How to ensure the best fit between your project and an available funding stream/Call

4 Exploring the different notions of innovation

5 Questions/answers on funding streams and discussion  

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF WINNING PROPOSALS

1 An overview of winning proposal essential features

2 Developing the best project justification

3 Demonstrating impact

4 Pulling together the right assets

5 Putting yourself in the role of the "evaluator"

6 Workshop/exercise session  

DEMONSTRATING GOOD PLANNING AND CONTROL OF THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS

1 Working-out the implementation plan

2 Dealing with risk

3 Developing a sound dissemination and exploitation plan

4 Workshop/exercise session

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• India Sri Lanka Joint Call for Research Proposal: Last date extended till 31st July, 2024  >>  

India Sri Lanka Joint Call for Research Proposal: Last date extended till 31st July, 2024

The Ministry of Education, Research and Innovation Division, Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India renewed the Programme of Cooperation (PoC) in Science and Technology, on August 14 th 2022. In terms of the PoC, funding can be made available for selected Joint Projects in bilateral mode involving scientist & technologists from India and Sri Lanka, in the following areas:

• Food Technology
• Plant base medicines
• Robotics & Automation
• Renewable Energy
• Waste Management
• Information and Communication Technology
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Aerospace Engineering
• Big data analysis
• Artificial intelligence
• Any other area of S&T with national relevance (with Justifications)

The Ministry of Education, Research and Innovation Division and DST (hereinafter referred to as the “Implementing Agencies”) hereby invite Indian and Sri Lankan scientists/researchers to submit proposals for Joint Research Projects in any of the above areas in terms of the provisions herein set out.

The guidelines and online format may be seen at e-PMS portal of DST. The applicants may apply online by using the following link:

https://onlinedst.gov.in/

Contact Details:

The following may be connected for further details and clarifications, if any-

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