SGS RESEARCH GRANT
PROPOSAL
DENIS M MEDEIROS
DEAN, SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
UMKC
RULES OF THE GAME
• Maximum request is $7500 to begin July 1, 2014
• Maximum length of proposal is 4 pages that include references, budget, and budget justification
• One extra page for tables and/or figures
• Pay attention to margin requirements (1 inch) and 12 point font.
• Submit as a pdf with cover page
COVER PAGE
• Important that this be accurate.
• Don’t forget your title!
• Complete the required information such as anticipated graduation date and the name of your major
adviser.
•
Need your signature and that of your major adviser
• Complete information on previous degrees awarded
• List any academic honors, awards, or special recognitions received.
• Publications, Presentations, Creative/Artistic work
PROPOSAL OUTLINE
I. Introduction
•
Problem statement
•
Goals and Objectives
•
Significance of Research/Creative Activity
II. Background and Literature Review
III. Methods or Approach
IV. Plans for dissemination of results
V.
Budget request
VI. Budget justification
VII. References
INTRODUCTION
•
This is where you entice the reader and sell them on your idea.
•
Most important part of the entire proposal.
•
Should be ½ to 1/3 of a page—keep it short but to the point!
•
What is the issue you are researching as the problem statement.
•
Proposals that have a theoretical basis do better.
•
Problem addressed should be focused—common mistake is that new grant writers try to do too much
•
State the goal of the current proposal. In this case, one goal may be enough.
•
Significance can be thought of:
•
What gaps in our knowledge about the issue will be closed OR
•
How will doing the research move the field forward
•
The significance should be the last part of the Introduction statement
BACKGROUND AND LITERATURE REVIEW
• Keep to about 1 page (can be longer if you are including tables and figures from others—remember to
cite sources of other data used!).
• Give the reader a sense of what previous research has been conducted
• Challenge is to cite only the most salient references or studies
• Can use sub-headings
• Identify from the literature cited what information is missing that your proposal will address.
• Assert an optimistic tone and one of enthusiasm
METHODS OR APPROACH
• Can use an outline form or subheadings
• Include a design statement if appropriate: Design is what will be done
•
Can use a diagram to get an idea across
• Methods is how it will be done
• Give an introductory statement to communicate the logic of the project, subjects, samples, etc
• What will be done to accomplish the goal(s) of the proposal?
• Start with the statement “The design will be outlined first, followed by description of the methods to be used”
if appropriate
•
Can state what the rationale is for the design
• Next section should be a brief description of the methods used.
METHODS OR APPROACH (CONT’D)
• Methods can include issues such as the following
•
Recruitment of subjects
•
Type of animals used and what will be done
•
Development of a questionnaire and determining its validity
•
Statistics used to analyze data
•
Timeline
DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS
• Publication
• Presentation
• Workshop
• Exhibit
• Does not have to be more than one to two sentences
BUDGET REQUEST
• Use a table subdivided into items such as
•
Personnel (stipend requested, hourly wages, etc)
•
Materials to be purchased to conduct the research
•
Travel either for collecting data or going to a meeting
•
Contractual---may need to contract out an analysis of some type
•
Publication cost if applicable
BUDGET JUSTIFICATION
• For each item listed in your budget, explain why you need the item requested and how you determined
the amount!
• You don’t need to complete each category
• If you are requesting the full $7500 as a stipend, explain why you need it. Some on a GTA may want to
go from a 0.5 to a 0.25 GTA and use the other dollars to support themselves so they can devote more
time to their research.
• Others may not need this as a stipend but want to hire an undergraduate student to help them out.
•
See directions on how to calculate hourly wages with fringe benefits included.
REFERENCES
• Are numerous ways of doing this
• Include at least
•
Author(s) name(s)
•
Publication date
•
Title of article and journal, book
•
Volume and page numbers
Scoring Rubric for SGS Research Grant Proposal
Name of Student:
Title of Proposal:
Directions: Using the 5 point scale below rate each of the following elements of the proposal and the student
1= disagree strongly 2 = disagree
3= neither agree or disagree 4= agree
5=agree strongly
1. The goals or objectives are clearly
stated and reasonable
Score__________
X 2 =
___________
2. The methodology or approach is
very sound and appropriate
Score__________
X 2 =
___________
3. The research is significant and
will advance our knowledge
Score__________
X 2 =
___________
4. The budget is appropriate and
well justified
Score__________
X 2 =
___________
5. Grammar and organization are strong
Score__________
X 1 =
___________
6. The adviser’s letter relates confidence
that the student can complete the
proposed study
Score__________
X 1 =
___________
7. The student has an excellent academic
Record
Score__________
X 1 =
___________
8. The student has demonstrated a number
of honors, awards and other professional
accomplishments.
Score__________
X 1 =
___________
TOTAL POINTS
________________(60 Max)
Recommendation:
___ Definitely Fund
____ Do Not Fund
____Fund only if resources are available