RESEARCH FUNDING AND PROPOSAL WRITING Detlef Briesen Justus-Liebig University, Gießen

 May 14  Keys elements of a good proposal – feasibility, operability, practicability  Components of a good proposal – summary, concept, demand, motivation, expected results and practical implications, review of literature, methodology, planning, budget, co-operation partners and institutions  Proposals and applications – calls for applications and how to adopt  Exercises and group work

 May 15  Important programs - research funding from the English, French, and German speaking countries  Meet the requirements – how to apply  Discussion of selected proposals  Exercises, group work, and competitive group work   May 16  Presentations of group work  Certificates and awards

 A good proposal is an application for funding, it is a money or a business issue  A good proposal shall convince a donor to spend money on an important issue  As there is a strong competition for grants only excellent proposals can be successful  The issue is not only relevant from a scientific perspective but also from a societal one  A good proposal should be embedded in a broader framework of scientific and other activities of the applicant

 Good research satisfies the following criteria:  It thinks theoretically through and with data  It develops empirically sound, reliable and valid findings  It uses methods which are demonstrably appropriate to the research problem  Where possible, it contributes to practice and policy

 Good research is

 Feasible, operable, practical

 A good proposal demonstrates that the planned project

 Is not only an excellent idea but

 Feasible, operable, practical

Component SummaryAlways write at the very last ConceptBasic idea of the proposal DemandWhy must the research be done and what do we know after it we have not known before? MotivationWhy do you want to do the research? Expected results and practical implications What is the expected outcome?

Component Review of literatureExisting publications including your own MethodologyWhich adequate methods do you use? PlanningCreate a realistic schedule! BudgetCalculate a realistic budget! Co-operation partners and institutions With whom you have a longer co-operation already? Are the facilities adequate?

 Browse DAAD Scholarship Finder  Identify a suitable program  Make a list of the requirements given by the possible donor  /datenbank/en/21148-finding-scholarships/

 Browse European Research Council Grants  Identify a suitable program  Make a list of the requirements given by the possible donor 