Proposal Writing Tips presented by Clarkson University Division of Research

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Proposal Writing Tipspresented byClarkson
UniversityDivision of Research
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HOW CAN THE DOR HELP?

• Team Building and Coordination
• Proposal Planning and Development
• Budget Preparation
• Proposal Editing and Formatting
• General Questions
• Coordinating Institutional Commitments
• The DOR Website

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PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

• Getting Started
• Your Long-term Goal
• Identify A Funder
• Use The Program Description And Proposal
  Guidelines
• Make Contacts At Clarkson
• Speak To The Program Officer
• Create A Written Schedule Of Work Deadlines

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REVIEWERS CRITERIA

• The Reviewer Wants to Know
• WHAT are goals objectives
• WHAT is new innovative
• WHAT has been done and its limitations
• HOW will it advance the field
• WHO will benefit
• WHO will do the work his/her qualifications
• HOW MUCH it will cost

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EFFECTIVE PROPOSALS

• Use visible organization
• Outlines, headings
• Review criteria, funder preferences
• Topic sentences

• Are concise and Active
• Avoid jargon or include a glossary
• Avoid passive tense
• Avoid subjunctive tense
• Avoid unnecessary wordiness

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PROPOSAL ORGANIZATION

• The Narrative
• Problem/Need/Signifi-cance
• Statement of Goals
• Previous Work
• Methods
• Key Personnel
• Evaluation
• Dissemination and Future Funding

• Cover Sheet
• Budget Sheet
• Abstract
• The Narrative
• Appendices

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REVISION AND FORMATTING

• Solicit criticism from peers
• Submit a draft to DOR
• Use your reviews
• Refer back to the program description and
  reviewer guidelines

• Watch for
• long sentences
• vague words
• passive verbs
• abbreviations
• inconsistencies

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SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL

• Institutional Commitments Approved
• Signatures obtained
• Final copy/file to DOR?
• Copy/Mail Proposal done by DOR

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FUNDING DECISION

• If its not funded this time
• Reviewers Comments
• Revise and resubmit
• Identify other potential funders

• When its funded
• Celebrate!
• Budget negotiations
• Reviewers comments
• Division of Research