Proposal Introduction

• It clearly establishes who is applying for funds.
• It describes the goals and purposes of EMU (the applicant agency).
• It describes relevant EMU programs.
• It describes the constituents or clients.
• It gives evidence of your accomplishments.
• It offers statistics to support your credibility and those of EMU and your department.
• It offers statements of endorsement to support credibility.
• It supports your credibility in the program area for which funds are being sought.
• It leads logically to the problem statement.
• The tone reflects modest self-confidence.

Proposal Abstract (Summary)

• It appears at the beginning of the proposal.
• It identifies you, the applicant and prospective project director, clearly.
• It includes:

  at least one sentence on your credibility.

  at least one sentence on the problem.

  at least one sentence on methodology.

• It specifies the total cost, funds already obtained, and the amount requested in the proposal.
  
  

• It provides a quick overview of EMU and your department or unit (the applicant agency), you (the prospective project director), and your constituent or client group, if pertinent, emphasizing strengths.
• It identifies the project staff.
• It describes the available facilities and resources.

Problem Statement (Needs Statement)

• It relates to the purposes and goals of EMU, department or unit, and the client, or constituency, group.
• It is of reasonable proportions.
• It is supported by statistical or empirical evidence.
• It is supported by statements from authorities.
• It is stated in terms of the common good and of the benefit to clients (constituency) and incorporates their suggestions.
• It does not make unwarranted assumptions.
• It avoids jargon and overblown language.
• It avoids excess words.

Objectives

• They tell specifically what will be done to achieve the goal(s).
• They point clearly toward the outcomes of the project.
• They do not describe the methods; they provide a blueprint of them.
• They define the population to be served.
• They are quantifiable and verifiable.
• They avoid jargon, overblown language, and excess verbiage.
• They employ phrases like "to increase," "to decrease," "to reduce."
• They avoid phrases like "to provide," "to establish," which belong in the research design or strategies part of the proposal.

Research Design and Procedures (Methodology)

• The procedures (activities, strategies, methods) flow naturally from the problem and objectives.
• The activities or strategies are clearly described and justified.
• The chronology (timeline) of the activities is clearly delineated.
• The personnel (staff) are listed in detail and each position is clearly justified.
• The constituency (clients) are described clearly and justified.
• The strategies can be accomplished within the time and budget allotted.
• All aspects of the methodology are internally consistent.

Evaluation Plan

• It addresses both process and product.
• It specifies who will conduct the evaluation and how they will be selected.
• It defines the evaluation criteria.
• It describes the methods for gathering data and the process for implementing them.
• It describes and includes among the attachments the test instruments or questionnaires that are used.
• It shows how the evaluation will be used for improving the program.
• It describes the format of the evaluation reports and includes samples among the attachments.

1.

2.

3.

4.

And so on ....

Future Funding Plans

• If the project is to be ongoing, provide a plan for acquiring funds after the grant period has ended.
• If the project is for construction or capital improvement, provide a plan for maintaining and operating the facilities.
• If the project is for equipment, provide a plan to accommodate such related costs as lab assistants, maintenance contracts, safety monitoring, and the like.

Dissemination

• The plan describes how the project results or outcomes will benefit others.
• The plan clearly indicates how these benefits will be shared with those who can benefit from them.

Appendices (Attachments)

• Support letters.
• Vitas.
• Evaluation (assessment) tools, for example, survey instruments, and data-collecting forms.
• Reporting forms.
• Bibliographies.
• Other such pertinent items as maps, graphs, and charts.

Compliance Requirements

• Internal -- The project plan must conform to EMU internal polices and procedures for the use of human subjects and animal care.
• External -- The project plan must adhere to the regulations of the funding agency.

Deadlines

• Internal -- Have your plan ready for ORD at least three working days in advance of the external deadline, so that signatures can be secured and final checking and similar matters can be accomplished.
• External -- The funding agency's deadline is nonnegotiable. Be sure to check whether it is by date of receipt or by postmark.