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Proposal Planning and Writing - Discussion

Eric Hintsa

University of Colorado/CIRES and NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory

Formerly a graduate student, postdoc, and scientist at a research institution

Program director for the NSF Atmospheric Chemistry Program 2005-2009

Some proposal basics

Follow-up to presentations by Jim Mazzouccolo, CU Research and Innovation Office

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Proposal Basics

Figure out possible sources of funding, understand the program(s) you are applying to
Know the requirements of the program well in advance
Develop an idea for a proposal. Also well in advance. If possible. Some good ideas/themes will turn into multiple (funded) proposals.
Proposal writing – get to the point, quickly.
Write clearly, and keep it simple where possible
Include a plan of what you will do – work plan, list of steps, maybe a timeline

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(Proposal Basics – continued)

Take advantage of different parts of the proposal to present your message or include more information – Abstract/summary, budget justification, etc.
Get to know the people involved in the funding process
Have some sympathy for the reviewers
And also for the program officers

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Effective Proposals

You have ideas, skills, tools/equipment, and human resources (people)

Funding agencies or organizations have needs and missions – basic science and education, but also some very specific goals, or areas of science, technology, and products that they are interested in

Successful proposals and successful projects benefit both the PI(s) and the funders

Show (or pitch) your ability to conceptualize, carry out, and complete the project in a certain time and budget

In addition to the content, a good proposal is clearly written, structured and formatted so it is easy for a reviewer to read!

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The box in the middle is usually the fullest. By far. Really it should be divided in two – some will be funded, some will be declined. You want to increase the chances of yours being in the “funded” part.

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Types of review – Individual “Mail” reviews, panels, combination

Evaluation by program officers

Types of proposals – “new” vs. “renewal”, also supplements, instrumentation, fellowships, meeting support, exploratory research, etc.

Contacting program officers – anything unusual and important, or if there is something you just don’t understand (and can’t get an answer elsewhere)

Always be willing to review proposals (and papers), serve on panels, when possible. Or even work for or with a granting agency or organization. In any case, read proposals that were funded or declined.