Sponsored research is critical in facilitating study efforts, giving researchers access to more funds and time than they would have otherwise. This translates to higher-quality research and better results. But to secure grants, you must persuade potential sponsors with an airtight research proposal that answers all their questions, including:
- What do you plan to research?
- Why is it worth researching?
- How do you plan to investigate?
- How long will it take?
- How much will it cost?
Below are some best practices for preparing a comprehensive research proposal that will help to convince sponsors your work is worthy of their support.
Define the problem
With research grants, sponsors have specific criteria for deciding how to allocate funds. Before you begin writing your research proposal, familiarize yourself with a potential sponsor’s guidelines. With these in mind, you are better equipped to define your research objectives and deliverables in terms sponsors can see as advancing their own goals.
While making sweeping claims and proposing broad research questions may be tempting, practicality is paramount. Narrow research is far more convincing, so delve into the depth of your research — as opposed to the breadth — for more targeted study objectives.
You must also understand your budget and provide justification for your timelines and expenses. Every research proposal should include detailed financials with all costs justified and calculations sourced.
Sponsors need realistic numbers to determine the value. This is the only way they can gauge the benefits of funding your efforts against the costs. No matter how enticing your research goals may be, if the numbers seem inflated or too good to be true, your proposal will not instill confidence and is more likely to be turned down.
Write the proposal
Each section of the proposal should answer specific questions and be organized to flow from a broader introduction to the precise methodology. You want to convey relevant information clearly and concisely without boring readers. Focus on holding their attention and encouraging them to learn more.
Here are a few considerations to keep in mind within each section:
- Title and abstract: Aim for a compelling, attention-grabbing title and abstract summarizing the key points. A quick read should hit on the salient points.
- Introduction: Establish a solid context highlighting the importance of the research. Build enthusiasm so sponsors can realize the benefits of your work for themselves and society.
- Literature review: Lay the groundwork of your research project with literature that strongly supports the rationale. Use the five Cs: cite, compare, contrast, critique, and connect. This approach conveys your awareness and understanding of the field and creates a promising angle to present your study.
- Research objectives and hypothesis: State your objectives and hypothesis, underscoring them with the existing assumptions detailed in the previous section. You can also use this space to establish the limitation, narrowing the focus even more to highlight the depths of your efforts.
- Research methodology: Be logical and detailed. Organizing your workflow shows how you will collect and analyze the data. Ensure all measurable parameters are clarified and limitations are defined. This technique instills confidence, showing sponsors you have taken the time to develop workable strategies.
- Timelines, research deliverables, and financial plan: As these elements communicate the feasibility of your project, they carry significant weight. Details are important here, so be thorough.
- Research dissemination: Outline a comprehensive plan to disseminate your research findings, as the intellectual property rights of research work can become a matter of legal dispute if terms are not specified.
Review, edit, review
Once the proposal is written, you should proofread, edit, and revise it to ensure clarity, coherence, and alignment with the sponsor’s guidelines. Typically, it is difficult for writers to see discrepancies in their work, so have colleagues and research partners review your proposal to identify errors or inconsistencies. You might even consider having individuals outside your research field review your proposal, as they are often better at correcting spelling and grammatical mistakes.
Check the formatting and layout of your proposal. If the potential sponsor has specific criteria, ignoring them is tantamount to negligence. It can result in your proposal being rejected before it is even read.
Finally, submit the proposal before the designated deadline, allowing ample time for any technical or administrative issues that may arise.
Secure research grants with Cayuse
Developing a successful research proposal is a collaborative effort, and teams with the digital tools to communicate effectively are best equipped to produce sponsor-worthy documentation.
At Cayuse, we empower researchers and promote their efforts through an ecosystem fostering collaboration. By following industry best practices, we have assisted more than 670 global research organizations and academic institutions in securing billions of dollars worth of funding.
