Proposal Specifications: Guiding Notes On Each Section
Proposal Specifications: Guiding Notes On Each Section
ABSTRACT SECTION
The proposal should include a concise statement of your intended research of no more than 100 words. This
may be a couple of sentences setting out the problem that you want to examine or the central question that you
wish to address.
Summarize what is already known about the field. Include a summary of the basic background information
on the topic gleaned from your literature review.
Point out why these background studies are insufficient and what question(s) do they leave unresolved that
you would like to study?
SIGNIFICANCE SECTION
Explain the importance of the problem or critical barrier to progress in the field that the proposed project
addresses.
Explain how the proposed project will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability and will contribute in
one or more broad fields.
INNOVATION SECTION
Explain how the application challenges and seeks to shift current research or industrial practice paradigms.
Describe any novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, or technology to be developed or
used, and any advantage over state-of-the-art.
Explain any refinements, improvements, or new applications of theoretical concepts, approaches or
methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions.
APPROACH SECTION
Describe the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be used to accomplish the specific aims...
Include how the data will be collected, analysed, and interpreted..
Discuss potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success to achieve the aims.
If the project is in the early stages of development, describe any strategy to establish feasibility, and address
the management of any high risk aspects of the proposed work.
Preliminary Timeline (Gantt chart)
Summary of milestones to be achieved and how they will enable future work