from the Petroleum Res. Council Moving from good/average science to excellent 1. Why are you writing a proposal? One of the two ways you relate yourself to your peers (papers and others). - PEERS ARE REVIEWERS The process makes you smarter - gives you a better grasp of project after proposal is written Outcomes - Discover unexpected problems - Find unforeseen insights -Not just a chore but a creative act. 2. What makes a bad proposal A) Really bad Scientific non-viable Does not fit mission PI ineligible Institution/dept. ineligible Proposal violates guidelines: Format, Length, Budget Use of out-of-date forms Call the agency - Most interesting part of the day - If you want to get good proposals B) Bad DEAD STUFF WALKING- obsolete topic, approach, bibliography Limited significance and impact Logical Flaws: nonexclusive hypothesis alternative hypotheses Project beyond capabilities of investigators, institution, students C) Marginal Vague language ==> MUST BE CONCRETE Poor organization; Rambling ; Number pages (all the pages) Ideas that do not illuminate point of the proposal Mystery budget (provide summary and detail -Explain costs over 5% ) Implications of research not spelled out (broad impact or only local impact?) Funder's priority not emphasized Breezy and informal language Impractical in time and money Research should lead to other research or some other impact beyond the interests of the researcher 3. Excellent Proposal (Top 15-20% proposals) A)Significant problem and well organized narrative. ==> readers can have short attention span Short sentence Short paragraphs No extraneous language Subheads w/subsection labels or tags Approach in a practical and realistic way me, here , now Support letters if collaborating Describe experiments for which any imaginative result can be expected in terms of the hypothesis presented. - MUST HAVE HYPOTHESIS Describe impacts of results to be obtained and explain why it is worth achieving - Not: We need $, We need stuff, I need a raise - THIS WHY YOU DO RESEARCH. Preliminary Results that support Viability of project and ability and resources of PI to carry out projects B) ABSTRACT: Heart and soul of Ideas with all nuts and bolts stripped away to show scientific value. 1. Program Officer uses Abstracts to direct to the right review, panel/committee for evaluation. 2. Peer reviewer uses to target themselves at key issues of you proposal - starts understanding of idea. 3. Panel review uses to establish initial rank and then to base rest of proposal against Q & A 1. Fine Line Capability and beyond capability Preliminary and Final results: Quick & Dirty to show Giving away the shop 2. Background In Abstract? Little to none. Focus on project and implications 3. Potential Reviewers List List the God and Goddesses and other folks (younger colleagues) 1 or 2/person/round Want 3 or 4, give 5 or 6 Other reviewers too List PUI faculty as well 4. Cost Sharing Follow rules if there are rules Establish commitment, especially if equipment will be used outside the bounds of the project Be realistic and balanced 5. Best Stuff First Page 1: Not a mystery novel reader will loose interest. Use pictures, equations Page 10 Ten Mistakes - Corrections Do homework - show references: show expertise, especially what the funding agency has supported. Research: acknowledge obstacles and express alternatives/contingencies Write clearly, concisely - avoid jargon Customize for each funder you send proposal to FOLLOW DIRECTIONS; FORMAT GUIDE WRITE SO PROPOSAL CAN BE READ FIRST TIME -Get reader to read without making notes and tell you what you said: wrong-start rewriting! -Start writing outlines, table-of-contents -Write project in one page -Create little last - so that it is truly representative -Ask for what you need: "Oh my God - What have I done? -Find balance between timidity and arrogance about yourself -Call The Funders - they will help with the design because they want good proposals -Show passion, urgency: This is important NOW. Take proposal beyond the intellectual. · Write for your readers. Establishes writing style. -"Expect funders to support your goals, not theirs." WRITE TO THEIR MISSION -Match funds according to funder guidelines- do not overmatch. This can be a problem at both ends. -Talk to people at or around campus while developing proposal/project. Early and often, get investment/ownership
