Writing a Research Proposal for Funding

1. Writing a Research Proposal for Funding An Overview Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

2. Overview • Why do research, why is quality important? • Parts of a Proposal • What are reviewers looking for? • Additional resources Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

3. Why do research? • To obtain funding for classroom/school/board initiatives • To examine problems and develop solutions • To clearly communicate progress in schools and classrooms • To facilitate professional development Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

4. Why is it important to write a quality research project? • Competition for resources • There are bound to be more applications for money than money available; make your project “stand out” • To define your research • The more work and detail that is included in your application, the easier it will be to get started once you have funding • To obtain “buy in” of stakeholders • The proposal writing process can be used to generate motivation and enthusiasm for the project Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

5. What are the different parts of the proposal? • Remember that each Application Package will be different. • Generally, there are some components included in most packages, for instance…. Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

6. Instructions for Completing the Application & Process of Approval • Pay close attention to: • Who is funding the research? • Deadlines for submission • Amount of funding available (or maximum that you can request) • Where to send application • Contact person, address • Electronically or by mail • Number of copies required • When you will know the result • Any interim or final reports required • Signatures required • Be sure to discuss with your superintendent/supervisor Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

7. Criteria • The Application package should included criteria for funding, and may contain information on how projects will be “graded” • Pay attention to: • Key purpose – What are funders looking to know more about? • Checklists – You may be asked to list from a checklist what criteria your proposal addresses • Key Phrases – Often, funders will have key phrases related to the criteria (e.g. projects should be related to “capacity building”. Keep key phrases in mind and demonstrate throughout your proposal how your project relates to “Key phrases” Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

8. General Information (Narrative) • This section will request the specifics of your project, and will usually include: • Title • Name of main contact/research team • Contact Information Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

9. Focus of Research Question • It is important that your research question is clear and addresses your main reason for doing your research • Every component of your proposal should be linked back to your research question • For more information on developing research questions, go to the “Action Research” Module at • http://www.misaeast.on.ca/principals/action.php?language=english Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

10. Staff/Stakeholder Involvement • You should be prepared to identify how staff or other stakeholders (students, parents, etc) will be involved. You may choose to involve stakeholders in: • Development of project • Delivery of project • Analysis of results • Write up of report • Sharing of results Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

11. Timeline/Project Duration • Developing a timeline helps reviewers understand your research intentions, and helps to keep your research team on track. Consider the following: • Review the general information/timelines for completion • Break your project into phases and assigning completion dates to each phase Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

12. Description of your project • You will most likely be asked to provide a full overview of your project. • Consider using headings to address the following: • Introduction – What is the background on this topic? • Methodology – What will your work look like in operation? • Communication Plan – How will your results be shared? Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

13. Indicators or Success • Define how you will determine the impact of your research, what indicators you will use, and how you will collect the information • (see “Guidelines for selecting Assessments” document) • Types of Indicators • Methods for collecting data related to indicators Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

14. Contributions • This section should cover what contributions your project will make to the body of knowledge in the area of your research • Make links between your project and the criteria set out in the application • Make links to how your project relates to student achievement and/or school improvement • What is new or novel about your study? • What additional questions may be generated from your research? Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

15. Ethical Considerations • Consider any ethical implications of your research • Be sure to pass the project by your supervisor/superintendent and appropriate board staff • Be sure to include any information letters/letters of permission that will need to be used for the project Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

16. Budget • Clearly identify what you expect your project will cost. Include: • Supply costs, travel costs • Supplies, equipment, resources, computer software • Meeting expenses • Temporary staff, honourariums • Be sure to include any “in-kind” contributions so that funders can see your commitment to the project Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

17. Abstract • An abstract outlines the intent of your research and methodology in just a couple paragraphs • If you are asked to complete an abstract, leave it until the end so that it summarizes what you have prepared Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

18. What are “reviewers” looking for? • While each application package is different, in general, reviewers are looking for the following: • Complete package handed in on time • Clear concise statements of purpose and rationale • Enough detail to attend to the important features of the application • Samples of assessments, surveys, observations or reporting forms that may already have been developed • References or sources that you referred to in the package • What makes your project unique? How is it original, beneficial, what benefits will be felt through this research? Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006

19. Additional Resources • To find additional sources and resources on writing a proposal for funding, go to the link: • http://www.misaeast.on.ca/principals/glossary.php?language=english Prepared for the Ottawa Region MISA Professional Network Centre - Summer 2006