Proposal Development

Every good proposal begins with an idea for a project that requires financial support from an external sponsor. Generating a proposal worth sponsoring requires a full understanding for the gap: the if/than scenario as much as for the if not/than there remains an unresolved problem. The best idea comes from knowing what has already been accomplished in the field, knowing what work is currently funded, knowing what funding opportunities are available and knowing what research, scholarly or creative work needs still to be conducted.

The Research Office can provide assistance with developing your idea into content that matches a sponsor's interest. We have the experience, so contact us. Consult with colleagues, your department Chair, and research and compliance administrative offices, for additional advice and support. Also visit the links below to discover handy proposal writing techniques and samples of successful proposals.

Proposal Writing Tools/Resources

• Proposal Writing Short Course— courtesy of The Foundation Center
• Developing And Writing Grant Proposals  - from the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
• Writing the Research Proposal— courtesy of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
• Dissertation Proposal Writing—by Dr. Chris M. Goulde, University of Wisconsin
• Proposal Writing Internet Resources—courtesy of the University of WI-Madison
• A Practical Guide for Writing Proposals
• Simple Grant Proposal Template
• Research Data Toolkit (with templates) from UNC

Sample Proposals

• NIH Applications and Summary Statements
• Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Sample Applications
• The American Political Science Association Sample Proposals
  
• Examples of Proposals (NIH, NSF and non-profit) courtesy of University of Michigan-Dearborn
• Sample School Grants
  
• Sample Non-profit Grants
• More Sample Grant Proposals

Serve as a Peer Reviewer

• The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) requests scholars to submit their information using the Panelist and Reviewer Information System (PRISM) to serve as a peer reviewer. Complete details about serving on an NEH panel are available on the PRISM site. 
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Center for Scientific Research handles all aspects of reviewing proposals to the NIH. Through the CSR Reviewer Resources find information about serving as a reviewer on an NIH panel.
• The National Science Foundation (NSF) asks potential panelists or reviewers to contact the program officer within the appropriate program division, either by phone or by email, and inform them of your interest to serve on apanel.
• The US Department of Education is always looking for reviewers for proposals into programs offered by the Office of Postsecondary Education. To register to serve as a field reviewer, access the New Field Reader Registration  and gain experience and insight into programs supported by the OPE.
  

Sponsor Details

• NIH Peer Reviewed Revealed
• NIH Page Limits and Related Instructions
• NSF Guide to Writing Proposals
• NSF Grant Proposal Guide
• NSF Data Management Plan Guide
  
• NSF Panel Review Discussions—The Ohio State University
• NSF CAREER Proposal Writing Tips - Clark University
• Advice on NSF Proposals - Carnegie Mellon University