Proposal Writing Tips presented by Clarkson University Division of Research

HOW CAN THE DOR HELP? u u Team Building and Coordination u u Proposal Planning and Development u u Budget Preparation u u Proposal Editing and Formatting u u General Questions u u Coordinating Institutional Commitments u u The DOR Website

PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS u u Getting Started u u Your Long-term Goal u u Identify A Funder u u Use The Program Description And Proposal Guidelines u u Make Contacts At Clarkson u u Speak To The Program Officer u u Create A Written Schedule Of Work Deadlines

REVIEWERS CRITERIA u u The Reviewer Wants to Know u u WHAT are goals & objectives u u WHAT is new & innovative u u WHAT has been done and its limitations u u HOW will it advance the field u u WHO will benefit u u WHO will do the work & his/her qualifications u u HOW MUCH it will cost

EFFECTIVE PROPOSALS u u Use visible organization u u Outlines, headings u u Review criteria, funder preferences u u Topic sentences u Are concise and Active u Avoid jargon or include a glossary u Avoid passive tense u Avoid subjunctive tense u Avoid unnecessary wordiness

PROPOSAL ORGANIZATION u u Cover Sheet u u Budget Sheet u u Abstract u u The Narrative u u Appendices u The Narrative u Problem/Need/Signifi- cance u Statement of Goals u Previous Work u Methods u Key Personnel u Evaluation u Dissemination and Future Funding

REVISION AND FORMATTING u u Solicit criticism from peers u u Submit a draft to DOR u u Use your reviews u u Refer back to the program description and reviewer guidelines u Watch for u long sentences u vague words u passive verbs u abbreviations u inconsistencies

SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL u u Institutional Commitments Approved u u Signatures obtained u u Final copy/file to DOR? u u Copy/Mail Proposal done by DOR

FUNDING DECISION u u If it’s not funded this time… u u Reviewers Comments u u Revise and resubmit u u Identify other potential funders u When it’s funded… u Celebrate! u Budget negotiations u Reviewers comments u Division of Research