from the Petroleum Res. Council
Moving from good/average science to excellent
1. Why are you writing a proposal?
- Discover unexpected problems - Find unforeseen insights -Not just a chore but a creative act.
- 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 ineligible Proposal violates guidelines: Format, Length, Budget Use of out-of-date forms Call the agency - Most interesting part of the day - If you want to get good proposals B) Bad DEAD STUFF WALKING- obsolete topic, approach, bibliography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
A) Really bad
B) Bad
C) Marginal
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
A)Significant problem and well organized narrative. ==> readers can have short attention span
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
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
2. Background In Abstract?
3. Potential Reviewers List
4. Cost Sharing
5. Best Stuff First
-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
William Paterson University
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
973-720-2000
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