If you’re applying for a PhD position, fellowship, or research grant, there’s a good chance that you’ll be required to write a research proposal. They might not be mandatory for every application, but if you’re planning on staying in academia past a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, knowing how to write a clear, engaging, and well-organised research proposal is an essential skill to have.
Below, we share our step-by-step guide for writing a winning research proposal, from conceptualisation to submission. But first, understanding the definition of a research proposal is an important step.
- Drafting a research proposal can be a daunting task, but it’s an essential skill for anyone who wants to stay in academia past a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
- The most important thing to keep in mind when drafting your research proposal is that it’s the “why” and “how” of your research.
- Keep in mind, every research proposal is different. Templates or formats depend on the institution, fellowship, or funding body you are applying to, as well as your discipline.
- In this piece, we explain what a research proposal is, we go through a basic format/template, and we provide some tips for drafting a successful research proposal.
What is a research proposal?
The requirements of a research proposal can vary widely, depending on the institution, department, and subject area. There is no one-size-fits-all template for a research proposal.
Generally speaking, a research proposal provides an overview of the research you are planning to undertake over the time period of your PhD position, fellowship, or grant. The proposal should demonstrate that you have thought carefully about what you intend to research, and should prove that the project is viable, original, and significant. It should also address a gap in the current research landscape.
For example, is your research question answerable? Is there enough existing research on this subject to provide a solid basis for your literature review? Are there risks involved? What do you expect the impact of your research to be? Do you have a reasonable timeline in mind? How do you plan to divide your tasks across that timeline? Why are you the right researcher for the job?
Although it might sound overwhelming, doing this doesn’t only showcase the viability of your research to an external party. It also helps you, the academic, to clarify your research idea and have an organized plan as you move forward. Next, we provide further detail on exactly how to write and structure a research proposal.
Research proposal format
Research proposals vary widely, depending on the subject of study and the requirements of the institution or funding body.
For example, if the proposal is for a scientific study in the field of medicine and involves clinical trials, there will be far more detail required, such as ethics considerations, compared to a research proposal in the humanities.
Introduction | The introduction should provide a basic overview of the research you are intending to do, explain its contemporary and academic relevance and impact, and showcase how it is innovative or original. Ultimately, in this section, you are providing justification for why an institution or funding body should back you and your research. In this section, you might also briefly explain why you are the right person to conduct this research, you can point to past publications and experience, for example. |
Objectives | You can draft this section in a few different ways. Perhaps you outline the objectives of the research in a numbered list, or maybe you describe your research questions and hypotheses. The purpose of this section is to showcase clear goals that you aim to achieve by the end of your study. |
Literature review | This might already be incorporated into the introduction or objectives section; however, sometimes the literature review deserves a section in and of itself, word count permitting. The purpose of this section is to highlight a solid literature foundation from which you can build your own research. |
Research design and methods | How do you intend to answer your research questions or to prove or disprove your hypotheses? In the methods section, you should describe how you plan to conduct your research. Will you incorporate quantitative or qualitative research, or some combination of both? Methods can include case studies, surveys, experiments, interviews, data analysis, etc. Depending on the methods you intend to use, you may need to go into further detail. For example, if you are conducting experiments or interviews, you may need to add a section on ethical considerations. If you are making use of a sample group, how are you choosing that sample? What you include here will really depend on the institution or funding body, it’s often the case that they will have template forms that must be included as appendices to the proposal. |
Timeline, division of tasks, and budget | In this section, you should briefly outline a schedule for completing your study from the very beginning to the very end of the funding period. Be sure to include time for editing and review. If relevant or required, you can also add a budget. |
Outputs | At the end of the research period, you should have an idea of some outputs. Perhaps that’s a certain number of publications in academic journals, a presentation at an academic conference, or a contribution to a larger research study or project. Your outputs will probably depend on the requirements of whatever you are applying to, there are often output requirements outlined in the description of the position or grant. |
References | Anything that you mention throughout your proposal that are not your own words or ideas should receive a citation. This includes research that forms the basis for your own research study (i.e., the literature review), but also any other contribution by another institution, organisation, or individual. |
Appendices | Any additional documents required by the funder or institution should be included at the end of the research proposal as appendices. |
Research proposal examples
There is no one-size-fits-all research proposal template or example, because it depends on so many variables, including field of study and institutional requirements.
We suggest you take a look at many different kinds of research proposals, especially ones from the institution, funding body, or fellowship that you are applying to. In addition, finding examples that match your subject area can also be useful. Try reaching out to colleagues, mentors, or acquaintances who have had success with their research proposals focused on similar disciplines.
Tips for a writing a successful research proposal
1. Follow the steps outlined by the institution very carefully
The last thing you want is for your proposal to be discounted simply because you didn’t abide by the word/page count or follow the required format. Be sure to address all the questions and abide by all the requirements laid out by the funder or institution!
2. Cite anything that is not your own words or ideas
In a similar vein, it would be a shame to be disqualified simply because you forgot to cite something or someone. It’s always better to play it safe, as plagiarism is plagiarism is plagiarism, even if it’s accidental. When in doubt, cite it! Reliable sources also give greater credibility to your argument.
3. Have a trusted friend, colleague, or mentor review your research proposal
Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how many times you look at something you’ve written, you simply will not catch a mistake that an outsider could catch on their first read-through. If you’re too attached to your work, then having a trusted friend or mentor review your work can make a big difference.
4. Include an abstract or executive summary, word count permitting
Consider including an abstract or executive summary, as this can help the funder or institution make decisions more quickly. It can also be the hook that initially draws the reader in.
5. Remember the purpose of drafting a research proposal
The point of a research proposal is to showcase to the institution or funding body that your research idea is clear, relevant, original, and viable. Further, it’s to provide you, the academic, with a clear plan for how to execute your research and achieve your goals. Keeping this “why” and “how” in the back of your mind throughout your writing process can help you stay on track.
