1. The way I write my proposal Yoke Khin Yap Department of Physics Michigan Technological University FW5850, Oct 13, 2005

2. Contents: 1) Why to write a proposal (motivation)? 2) Why should you learn to write? 3) My learning process 4) What should you know before writing a proposal ? 5) The way I write my proposal

3. Obtain support for your graduate study Scholarships Fellowships Research grants, etc. 2) Why should you learn to write ? To sell your ideas, convince the readers, and obtain the supports that you want 1) Motivation for writing a proposal ?

4. 3) My learn process Proposal for a MONBUSHO Scholarship: Graduate study in Japan (First formal proposal and succeeded: Full support for my whole Ph.D. program) Proposal for my postdoctoral fellowship (NEDO) in Japan Proposal for my postdoctoral fellowship (JSPS) in Japan (Second formal proposal and succeeded) (Third formal proposal and succeeded) Proposal for my faculty position at Michigan Tech (Fourth formal proposal and succeeded) Proposal for my Research Excellent Fund (REF) at Michigan Tech (Fifth formal proposal and succeeded)

5. 3) My learn process (Continue..) Submitted 18 proposals to federal agencies in 5 years NSF: 11 DOE: 2 NASA: 1 NIH: 1 DOA: 2 DARPA: 1 1 funded (~0.5 million) 1 funded (~0.2 million) 1 funded (~2.0 million) Other funded proposals (out of 6): 2 NASA/MSGC undergraduate fellowships, 1 user project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (DOE) I’m still learning………………………..

6. How long do you expect them to read your proposal ? Who will be reading (Know your audiences / readers) ? Technical background: 4) What should you know before writing a proposal ? 5 minutes or 50 minutes? Can you make them understand you at this time frame ? Can you convince them at this time frame ? Expert? General Audience?

7. 5) The way I write a proposal? Tell them what you are going to tell them at the very beginning Abstract and Introduction: make them know what to expect Organize in sections: list them out before start telling your story Remind them what you have told them and what will be the next Make them know what to expect Readers get lost after a long journey General rules that work for a talk or a proposal Wrap up your story What have you trying convinced them?

8. Summary: 1)Why writing a proposal (motivation)? 2) Why should you learn to write? 3) My learn process 4) What should you know before writing a proposal ? 5) The way I write my proposal Keep trying Enjoy Writing