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Proposal Preparation

Proposal Preparation. Mariesa L. Crow University of Missouri-Rolla crow@ece.umr.edu. Successful NSF Proposals. Combined Research-Curriculum Development (CRCD) Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training (IGERT) Major Research Instrumentation (MRI)

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Proposal Preparation

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  1. Proposal Preparation Mariesa L. Crow University of Missouri-Rolla crow@ece.umr.edu University of Missouri-Rolla

  2. Successful NSF Proposals • Combined Research-Curriculum Development (CRCD) • Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training (IGERT) • Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) • Course-Curriculum-Laboratory-Improvement (CCLI) • Research Initiation/NSF Young Investigator • Unsolicited University of Missouri-Rolla

  3. Attributes of a Successful Proposal • Clear, concise project objectives • Strong motivation (need for research) • Thorough analysis of the state-of-the-art (background) • Clear research progression with definable milestones • Adequate resources (laboratory, team expertise) University of Missouri-Rolla

  4. Project Objectives • Single most important part • Focus reviewers’ interest • A clear concise statement of intended contribution to field • Significance of contribution University of Missouri-Rolla

  5. Common mistakes • Many reviewers will subconsciously make recommendation within the first few pages of proposal • Objectives not clearly stated - force the reviewers to infer objectives • Objectives are buried within the text of the proposal - the importance and relevance may be missed University of Missouri-Rolla

  6. Suggestions • Boldfaceor italicize important aspects (use judiciously) • Use bullets to stress main themes and/or objectives University of Missouri-Rolla

  7. Motivation • Clearly state: Why is there a need for this research? What is the existing problem? (Save the world as we know it) • Must convince the reviewers that this is a worthy research project - reviewers will not recommend funding for problems that are merely “interesting” - there must be a need and application • Cause and effect - what is causing the problem? And what is the effect on the industry? University of Missouri-Rolla

  8. Background • Not just a “literature survey” • Describe (tactfully) the merits of existing methods • advantages • disadvantages • What does the proposed method offer that is lacking in other approaches? • Describe any previous work that supports the proposed project, including: • promising results • preliminary development of proposed research directions University of Missouri-Rolla

  9. Project Objectives Year 3 Year 2 Year 1 Tasks Research Progression University of Missouri-Rolla

  10. Research Progression • Timeline • Task descriptions • Milestones University of Missouri-Rolla

  11. Resources • Describe any unique experiences the investigators have • Useful laboratories and equipment • Industrial partnerships • Access to data University of Missouri-Rolla

  12. Other suggestions • Talk to the program manager in advance of submission • Obtain (if possible) copies of successful proposals to the same initiative • Have others read and give comments • editorial • technical • Fill out forms in advance • Resubmit and learn from reviewers’ comments University of Missouri-Rolla

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