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AFG Enterprise Proposal Writing Tips

AFG Enterprise Proposal Writing Tips. Spring 2006 Semester 02/22/2006. Proposal Writing. Valuable skill for all engineering students Can use to apply for scholarships Can use to apply to graduate school / fellowships Can use on industrial jobs to get funding for your projects

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AFG Enterprise Proposal Writing Tips

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  1. AFG EnterpriseProposal Writing Tips Spring 2006 Semester 02/22/2006

  2. Proposal Writing • Valuable skill for all engineering students • Can use to apply for scholarships • Can use to apply to graduate school / fellowships • Can use on industrial jobs to get funding for your projects • Can use in engineering enterprise courses

  3. JMK at MTU • Teaching 25% • Service 15% • Research 60% • Advising graduate & undergraduate students • Writing papers • Writing proposals • 55% not funded • 45% funded • 2 projects renewed for additional funding • Longer (15 page single-spaced) proposals have taken over 1 month of my time to write

  4. JMK Experience on Proposal Timeline • 3-6 months before due: get idea • 2-4 months before: find agency • 2 months before: start writing, contact MTU research services office • 1 month before: get support letters • 2 weeks before: submit proposal • 3-6 months after: find out if I won • 6-12 months after: start project! • 18-48 months after: write reports!

  5. Proposal Writing • Most important tip: follow the rules for the proposal solicitation you are responding to • Ex: National Science Foundation “will not review proposals that do not address the two merit criteria or do not follow the formatting instructions in the Grant Proposal Guide” • Put in section titles that exactly match those of the rules (easier for reviewers to give you points in that area) • JMK’s NSF Panel Experience / funding rates

  6. Proposal Writing • Step 1: Project Definition (sound familiar) • What is the purpose of this project? • What work do I want to get paid to do? • What are the goals of the project? • What do I need to do to meet the above project goals? • What will be the results or outcomes of the project? • How long will it take to do the project?

  7. Proposal Writing • Step 2: Find Funding Source • Look for foundation centers • Rockefeller Brothers Fund – Wind Team • 3M Foundation – JMK research project • Look for computer databases • Communityofscience.com • Fundingopps.com • Others? • Any personal contacts? • MTU connections with TACOM helped bring in 1st AFG project • Look for more than one source!

  8. Proposal Writing • Step 2: Find Funding Source • Look for common goals of the funding agency and your proposed project • Educating students / public about Alternative Energy • Basic & Applied research in Alternative Energy • Prepare a ½ to 1 page “white paper” describing your idea • Have your “boss” review it (AFG advisors) • Move on to step 3…

  9. Proposal Writing • Step 3: Contact Funding Agency • Find out if they will look at a “white paper” to see if it meets their goals before having to write the full proposal • If satisfactory, move on… • Make sure you have latest copy of the proposal rules and due dates • Contact JMK who will inform MTU research services (MTU admin. Building) of the name of the sponsor, due date, and proposal rules

  10. Proposal Writing • Step 4: Read the Proposal Rules • Use a highlighter • Is MTU eligible? • Find review / grading criteria • Email questions to program manager • Step 5: Start Writing the Proposal (more later) • Step 6: Re-Read the Proposal Rules • Is your proposal satisfying the requirements?

  11. Proposal Writing • Step 7: Writing the Proposal • Be organized • Be concise – many reviewers will stop after your one page summary of a 15 page proposal! • Provide a reasonable budget

  12. Proposal Writing • Step 7: Sections in the Proposal • Statement of purpose / need (why is it important, why should it be funded?) • Project goals • Research methods and approach (how will you solve this important problem? How is your approach unique?) • Project objectives

  13. Proposal Writing • Step 7: Sections in the Proposal • Project activities • Project deliverables • Timeline • Additional sections as required • Budget • Supporting material / appendix

  14. Proposal Writing • Step 8: Budget • Who will do the project? • How much will they be paid? • Fringe benefits • Do you need new equipment (> $2500) ? • Do you need supplies (< $2500) • Any travel? • University facilities / administrative costs • Step 9: Proposal approval and submission

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