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Writing a Scientific Research Project Proposal

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The importance of a well-written research proposal cannot be underestimated. Your research really is only as good as your proposal. A poorly written, or poorly conceived research proposal will doom even an otherwise worthy project. On the other hand, a well-written, high-quality proposal will increase your chances for success.

In this article, we’ll outline the basics of writing an effective scientific research proposal, including the differences between research proposals, grants and cover letters. We’ll also touch on common mistakes made when submitting research proposals, as well as a simple example or template that you can follow.

What is a scientific research proposal?

The main purpose of a scientific research proposal is to convince your audience that your project is worthwhile, and that you have the expertise and wherewithal to complete it. The elements of an effective research proposal mirror those of the research process itself, which we’ll outline below. Essentially, the research proposal should include enough information for the reader to determine if your proposed study is worth pursuing.

It is not an uncommon misunderstanding to think that a research proposal and a cover letter are the same things. However, they are different. The main difference between a research proposal vs cover letter content is distinct. Whereas the research proposal summarizes the proposal for future research, the cover letter connects you to the research, and how you are the right person to complete the proposed research.

There is also sometimes confusion around a research proposal vs grant application. Whereas a research proposal is a statement of intent, related to answering a research question, a grant application is a specific request for funding to complete the research proposed. Of course, there are elements of overlap between the two documents; it’s the purpose of the document that defines one or the other.

Scientific Research Proposal Format

Although there is no one way to write a scientific research proposal, there are specific guidelines. A lot depends on which journal you’re submitting your research proposal to, so you may need to follow their scientific research proposal template.

In general, however, there are fairly universal sections to every scientific research proposal. These include:

• Title: Make sure the title of your proposal is descriptive and concise. Make it catch and informative at the same time, avoiding dry phrases like, “An investigation…” Your title should pique the interest of the reader.
• Abstract: This is a brief (300-500 words) summary that includes the research question, your rationale for the study, and any applicable hypothesis. You should also include a brief description of your methodology, including procedures, samples, instruments, etc.
• Introduction: The opening paragraph of your research proposal is, perhaps, the most important. Here you want to introduce the research problem in a creative way, and demonstrate your understanding of the need for the research. You want the reader to think that your proposed research is current, important and relevant.
• Background: Include a brief history of the topic and link it to a contemporary context to show its relevance for today. Identify key researchers and institutions also looking at the problem
• Literature Review: This is the section that may take the longest amount of time to assemble. Here you want to synthesize prior research, and place your proposed research into the larger picture of what’s been studied in the past. You want to show your reader that your work is original, and adds to the current knowledge.
• Research Design and Methodology: This section should be very clearly and logically written and organized. You are letting your reader know that you know what you are going to do, and how. The reader should feel confident that you have the skills and knowledge needed to get the project done.
• Preliminary Implications: Here you’ll be outlining how you anticipate your research will extend current knowledge in your field. You might also want to discuss how your findings will impact future research needs.
• Conclusion: This section reinforces the significance and importance of your proposed research, and summarizes the entire proposal.
• References/Citations: Of course, you need to include a full and accurate list of any and all sources you used to write your research proposal.

Common Mistakes in Writing a Scientific Research Project Proposal

Remember, the best research proposal can be rejected if it’s not well written or is ill-conceived. The most common mistakes made include:

• Not providing the proper context for your research question or the problem
• Failing to reference landmark/key studies
• Losing focus of the research question or problem
• Not accurately presenting contributions by other researchers and institutions
• Incompletely developing a persuasive argument for the research that is being proposed
• Misplaced attention on minor points and/or not enough detail on major issues
• Sloppy, low-quality writing without effective logic and flow
• Incorrect or lapses in references and citations, and/or references not in proper format
• The proposal is too long – or too short

Scientific Research Proposal Example

There are countless examples that you can find for successful research proposals. In addition, you can also find examples of unsuccessful research proposals. Search for successful research proposals in your field, and even for your target journal, to get a good idea on what specifically your audience may be looking for.

While there’s no one example that will show you everything you need to know, looking at a few will give you a good idea of what you need to include in your own research proposal. Talk, also, to colleagues in your field, especially if you are a student or a new researcher. We can often learn from the mistakes of others. The more prepared and knowledgeable you are prior to writing your research proposal, the more likely you are to succeed.

One of the top reasons scientific research proposals are rejected is due to poor logic and flow. Check out our Language Editing Services to ensure a great proposal , that’s clear and concise, and properly referenced. Check our video for more information, and get started today.

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• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on September 5, 2024.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

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What Is a Research Proposal?

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When applying for a research grant or scholarship, or, just before you start a major research project, you may be asked to write a preliminary document that includes basic information about your future research. This is the information that is usually needed in your proposal:

• The topic and goal of the research project.
• The kind of result expected from the research.
• The theory or framework in which the research will be done and presented.
• What kind of methods will be used (statistical, empirical, etc.).
• Short reference on the preliminary scholarship and why your research project is needed; how will it continue/justify/disprove the previous scholarship.
• How much will the research project cost; how will it be budgeted (what for the money will be spent).
• Why is it you who can do this research and not somebody else.

Most agencies that offer scholarships or grants provide information about the required format of the proposal. It may include filling out templates, types of information they need, suggested/maximum length of the proposal, etc.

Research proposal formats vary depending on the size of the planned research, the number of participants, the discipline, the characteristics of the research, etc. The following outline assumes an individual researcher. This is just a SAMPLE; several other ways are equally good and can be successful. If possible, discuss your research proposal with an expert in writing, a professor, your colleague, another student who already wrote successful proposals, etc.

• Author, author's affiliation
• Explain the topic and why you chose it. If possible explain your goal/outcome of the research . How much time you need to complete the research?
• Give a brief summary of previous scholarship and explain why your topic and goals are important.
• Relate your planned research to previous scholarship. What will your research add to our knowledge of the topic.
• Break down the main topic into smaller research questions. List them one by one and explain why these questions need to be investigated. Relate them to previous scholarship.
• Include your hypothesis into the descriptions of the detailed research issues if you have one. Explain why it is important to justify your hypothesis.
• This part depends of the methods conducted in the research process. List the methods; explain how the results will be presented; how they will be assessed.
• Explain what kind of results will justify or  disprove your hypothesis. 
• Explain how much money you need.
• Explain the details of the budget (how much you want to spend for what).
• Describe why your research is important.
• List the sources you have used for writing the research proposal, including a few main citations of the preliminary scholarship.

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Login for Applicant Login for ICSSR Officials Declaration of Results of Major and Minor Research Projects for the Year 2023-24 Google Plus You are here Dear Esteemed Scholar, Warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations on being awarded the Major and Minor Projects by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) for the year 2023-24! We are happy to inform you that following are the lists of applicants whose proposals have been provisionally approved by the relevant expert committees of the ICSSR for the Major and Minor Research Projects for the Year 2023-24. This is to inform you that this correspondence serves as the official confirmation of your project's provisional award. The detailed award letter is on its way and in the meantime, to expedite the initiation of the grant release process, it is imperative that you prepare and submit all requisite documents and fulfill necessary formalities at the earliest convenience. Your prompt action in providing the necessary paperwork will enable ICSSR to promptly commence the disbursement of grants, facilitating the smooth progression of your research objectives without undue delay. Please note that this proposal is approved provisionally by the Competent Authority on the recommendations of the Expert Committee, and upon fulfillment of eligible criteria and other conditions, the Sanction Order will be issued after receipt of the below mentioned original documents: Undertaking (on non-judicial stamp paper of Rs.100/-) ( Click here for Sample ) Declaration (on non-judicial stamp paper of Rs.100/-) ( Click here for Sample ) Original forwarding Letter duly signed/stamped by statutory authority ( Click here for Sample ) Grant-in-aid bill (Pre-receipt) duly filled in for the first instalment ( Click here for Sample ), (The first instalment amount will 50% of the total awarded project grant) Photocopy of a letter / order / screenshot of your institution’s website where your institution recognition by Central Govt. / State Govt. / UGC 12 B / 2 (f) status mentioned. Photocopy of Memorandum of Appointment / Appointment Order / Employment Letter / Proceedings copy of the Appointment in case of Applicants (Project Director / Co-PD) those who are working in private institutions and other than Govt. Institutions. Photocopy of your Ph.D. Degree certificate Please find attached all the aforementioned sample formats. We kindly ask you to upload the softcopies of the completed formats through your login account on the ICSSR website. Additionally, please ensure that the original hard copies are sent to the undersigned before December 29, 2023. This will facilitate the issuance of the formal Sanction Order. We request you to revisit the eligibility criteria outlined in the guidelines and verify that you meet all the necessary requirements, both as an individual and as an institution. If you have previously received a project award through any other ICSSR program and have been issued a Sanction Letter for that specific project, we urge you to proceed with the previously sanctioned project and notify us accordingly. In such a scenario, the current award will not be considered active or operational. If you have already been awarded a project, and the sanction letter has not been issued yet, you may choose between the two awards and clearly inform us which project you would like to proceed with. All the Payments and Transfers are to be done through EAT module of Public Financial Management System (PFMS) / RBI Account, hence the institution has to open a dedicated account as per the notification of ICSSR for those that have not yet done so. ( https://www.icssr.org/sites/default/files/important_notice/2019-PFMS-Notification.pdf ). In case of any issues / problems in execution of PFMS, you may go through the video tutorial at https://www.icssr.org/sites/default/files/pfms.pdf . Those Institutions’ Bank Account registered under PFMS  / RBI Account must ensure that your account is linked with ICSSR Scheme - 0877 at PFMS portal. Those who have already registered and have the dedicated account or may have multiple accounts must ensure to provide the exact one so that the confusion can be avoided and faster transaction can be done. You are requested to consider the Date of Commencement of the study from 15 th January 2024 onwards. Please note that this is the final list, and there will be no further announcements or inquiries accepted for the proposals that were not selected. The titles of the awarded proposals have been approved by the Expert Committee(s) and any inquiries regarding these projects will be addressed only at the time of issuing the Sanction Order. Once again, congratulations on this remarkable achievement, and we look forward to supporting you in your project pursuance. Warm regards, Dr. S N Chari Deputy Director In-charge, Research Projects Indian Council of Social Science Research Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, JNU Institutional Area New Delhi -110067 Ph. 011-26742351, 26716690 rpdivision [at] icssr [dot] org List of provisionally awarded Major Projects 2023-24 [Click here] List of provisionally awarded Minor Projects 2023-24 [Click here] 162 IMAGES Proposal For Minor Research Project On: Submitted by 8+ Research Project Proposal Templates Research Project Proposal FREE 82+ Project Proposal Samples in PDF 33+ SAMPLE Research Project Proposal in PDF 33+ SAMPLE Research Project Proposal in PDF VIDEO ENC1102 Research Project Proposal Week 3 Discussion: Ecology Research Project Proposal Presentations RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL OUTLINE Prof. Ashok Rao, Visiting Professor, IIIM, Bangalore STEM quiz ફોર્મ કેવી રીતે ભરવું ZNF Seminar 032022: How to Write a Research Project Proposal COMMENTS Research Projects (Major and Minor) Research Projects (Major and Minor) Minor Research Project Guidelines Learn how to apply for a research grant from ICSSR-NERC to conduct social science research in various fields and themes related to the North East. Find out the eligibility, budget, duration, procedure, and conditions for the project. Writing a Scientific Research Project Proposal Writing a Scientific Research Project Proposal How to Write a Research Proposal Learn how to write a research proposal for your academic or professional project, with tips on structure, format, and content. See examples of proposals for different fields and purposes, and download templates to get started. PDF for the grant of MINOR RESEARCH PROJECTS RESEARCH PROPOSAL. for the grant ofMINOR RESEARCH PROJECTSUniversity of Mumbai is pleased to invite Research Proposals for the grant of Minor Research Projects durin. the current academic year i.e. 2017-18. The present scheme is introduced to promote and encourage Research Culture among teachers so as to equip them to take up challen. How to Write a Research Proposal How to Write a Research Proposal | Guide With Examples PDF Research Projects and Research Proposals This book is a guide to writing scientific research proposals for sub-mission to funding agencies. It approaches the topic by placing it in the larger context of planning and carrying out a research project, of-fering guidance on selecting a suitable research topic, organizing and planning the project, identifying a funding agency, writing the ... Writing a Research Proposal When applying for a research grant or scholarship, or, just before you start a major research project, you may be asked to write a preliminary document that includes basic information about your future research. This is the information that is usually needed in your proposal: The topic and goal of the research project. PDF Application Form for Minor Research Project stage, it may cancel my project outrightly. Place: Date: Signature of the Candidate Annexure/Checklists (in the given order) 1. Detailed Research Proposal (in about 3000 words in the format as indicated in the guidelines). 2. Brief academic CV of Project Director. 3. PDF University Grants Commission Minor Research Project for Teachers XII The quantum of assistance for a research project will be as under: Minor Research Project in Sciences including Engineering & Technology, Medical, Pharmacy Agriculture etc. - Rs. 5.00 lacs. Minor Research Project in Humanities, Social Science, Languages, Literature, Arts, Law and allied disciplines - Rs. 3.00 lacs. Guidelines To Prepare Research Proposal For ICSSR Sponsored Projects The research proposal format outlines 14 sections that should be included in a proposal. It specifies the word count for each section, which in total should be about 3,000 words. The sections include the title, abstract, introduction, literature review, research gaps, objectives, research questions/hypotheses, methodology, innovation, anticipated outcomes, new data, policy relevance, societal ... PDF Research Proposal RESEARCH PROPOSAL. RESEARCH PROJECTSUniversity of Mumbai is pleased to invite Research Proposals for the grant of Minor Research Projects during the current academic. ear i.e. 2018-19. The present scheme is introduced to promote and encourage Research Culture among teachers so as to equip them to take up challenging research activitie. UGC:Minor Research Project(MRP-Regional Offices) The University Grants Commission strives to promote teaching and research in emerging areas in Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages, Literature, Pure sciences, Engineering & Technology, Pharmacy, Medical, Agricultural Sciences etc. The emphasis would be supporting such areas that cut across disciplines and subjects such as health, gerontology ... ICSSR Invites Applications from Indian Social Scientists for the ICSSR Invites Applications from Indian Social Scientists for ... Research Proposal Minor Research Projects: For The Grant of The document provides guidelines for submitting research proposals for minor research projects funded by the University of Mumbai. Key points include: - Proposals must be submitted by September 30th, 2019 and include a brief bio-data of the investigator, statement of support from their institution, and list of publications. - The proposal should be 3 pages maximum and include the research ... PDF University of Mumbai FORMAT FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL FOR MINOR RESEARCH PROJECT MINOR RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL t' affiliated colleges, of is the to high —as of Application Format PART - A : GENERAL INFORMATION Basic Su -ect area Ot Research Title of the Pro osed Pro Name. Qualification and Designation of the principa' investi ator/CcAnvesti ator PDF Guidelines for Minor Research Projects 5.2 Research proposals and final reports should either be in English or Gujarati. 6. Procedure for Awards ... especially under Minor Research Project would apply separately. For that, the limits of expenditure, duly approved by the Expert Committee will be separately indicated in the sanction letter. PDF Research Funding Council for Major and Minor Research Projects during Research Funding Council for Major and Minor ... PDF Minor Research Projects Guidelines MINOR RESEARCH PROJECTS GUIDELINES. MI. OR RESEARCH. ROJECTSGUIDELINES1. INTRODUCTION1.1 Promotion of social science research is one of. the major objectives of the ICSSR. Research grant is direct financial support to research projects undertak. n by the Indian social scientists. ICSSR-NERC provides funding to Indian scholars to conduct cutting ... PDF Notification for Minor Research Projects for Regular Faculty ... The selection will be done by the project selection committee and will be duly approved by the Competent Authority based on the availability of funds under the scheme. 3. Nature Of Assistance: The quantum of assistance for a minor research project will be as follows: a. Minor Research Project in Schools of Sciences and Technology: Rs. 2.00 lacs. b. Research Projects (Major and Minor) Research Projects (Major and Minor)_Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. IRSS ICSSR invites online applications from Indian Social ... Note: Scholar is permitted to apply for only one proposal under this call. This is special call, interested scholars can apply under this call, in addition to the Research Project (Major/Minor) 2022-23 call closed recently. But, in case of selection, the candidate in consultation with the ICSSR will take up only one study. Declaration of Results of Major and Minor Research Projects for the Declaration of Results of Major and Minor Research ... assignment homework phd report resume review speech thesis