At Willamette, opportunities abound for students to pursue independent
research-from independent study courses, to university grants and foundation
awards. When writing a grant proposal for an independent research project,
you should keep the following tips in mind. And for further assistance,
consult with your professors, visit Dr. Monique Bourque in Student Academic
Grants and Awards, or make an appointment with the Writing Center.
Early development can be key to the success of your proposal. Before
you begin writing, think critically about your project.
Tip #1: Choose a good
topic.
More easily said than done! Your faculty advisor should help
you to narrow and clarify your topic, so that your proposal is specific,
focused and more importantly, manageable. The best research topic, however,
will be the one you're most excited about. If you aren't fascinated
and galvanized by your research topic, your readers won't be excited
either. And if you're bored with your topic before you've even begun
your research, well, you're going to have a long, long summer.
Tip #2: Do your preliminary
research.
Read widely in your subject area before you begin writing.
Become familiar with the field, its principal issues, and major contributors.
Put together an annotated bibliography. Consider what contribution your
research will make. By the time you sit down to write your proposal,
you should know what you want to research, but you should not yet be
trying to synthesize your research.
Tip #3: Envision the final
product.
Your project should result in a concrete final product, such
as a written investigative report, or a creative work. Although you
cannot fully anticipate what final form your project will take, it is
important to have a vision of what it might be. If your project is an
activity of some kind, devise a method to document it so that the committee
will have concrete evidence of your work.
Writing the proposal is often the most difficult component of a research
project. Be prepared: give yourself enough time to write, rewrite, and
revise.
Tip #4: Brainstorm, brainstorm,
brainstorm!
It can hardly be said too many times-brainstorm! Talk to
friends, family, and faculty to clarify your ideas. Schedule a "pre-draft"
advising session at the Writing Center. Freewrite as a way of getting
your ideas on paper. Get your ideas down first; then think about how
to organize them!
Tip #5: Study successful
proposals.
The Office of Student Academic Grants and Awards keeps copies
of successful Carson Research Grant proposals. Browse through the files,
and copy two or three proposals on topics similar to yours. Study them
carefully to get ideas for ways of presenting your project.
Tip #6: Be specific.
Take
time to consider your research methods and plan a budget. Don't just
guess and say, "Trip to Alaska: $500." Go to the travel center
or get online for a realistic estimate on airline tickets, accommodations,
and other expenses. Approach your methodology and research timeline
in the same way; if you need to make adjustments later, you can. It
is important, though, that you convince the committee that not only
is your project doable-you've figured out how to do it.
Revision is critical. Don't expect to write one draft of your proposal
and be awarded a grant. A good proposal will take several revisions;
be sure to give yourself time.
Tip #7: Be concise and
organized.
Clearly differentiate the various parts of the proposal.
For instance, in your methodology section, talk only about your methodology.
Leave out extraneous information.
Tip #8: Be clear.
The
awards committee consists of faculty from a variety of academic disciplines.
Your proposal should not be so discipline-specific and jargon-laden
that outside readers won't understand. On the other hand, don't dumb
your language down so that you insult the educated reader. If necessary,
the committee will ask a specialist for an opinion on the project's
viability. As you revise, consult a variety of readers, both in your
discipline and outside it.
Reread your proposal several times before submitting to the committee.
Tip #9: Avoid errors.
Because errors are easily introduced during the revision process, be
sure to reread your text carefully each time you make changes. There
is no excuse for grammatical and spelling errors in a grant proposal.
Use spell checker by all means, but don't rely on it completely. There's
no substitute for careful proofreading.
Tip #10: Make it pretty.
Take some time to format your proposal neatly, with headings and sub-headings
where appropriate. A good layout is easier on the eyes of committee
members who will be reading many proposals. Word of warning: don't go
cutesy, with bright-colored paper and fancy fonts.
There you have it: ten tips to help you write a successful grant proposal.
But keep in mind-even if you do everything right, there's still an element
of luck. In the world of grant applications, your chances of success
depend also on the number and quality of proposals in your subject area.
If your proposal isn't accepted, don't view it as a personal attack
on your research abilities or your topic. If your project is viable,
look for funding from another source. And best of luck!
