research proposal paper instructions

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• Writing a Reflective Paper
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Generative AI and Writing
• Acknowledgments

The goal of a research proposal is twofold: to present and justify the need to study a research problem and to present the practical ways in which the proposed study should be conducted. The design elements and procedures for conducting research are governed by standards of the predominant discipline in which the problem resides, therefore, the guidelines for research proposals are more exacting and less formal than a general project proposal. Research proposals contain extensive literature reviews. They must provide persuasive evidence that a need exists for the proposed study. In addition to providing a rationale, a proposal describes detailed methodology for conducting the research consistent with requirements of the professional or academic field and a statement on anticipated outcomes and benefits derived from the study's completion.

Krathwohl, David R. How to Prepare a Dissertation Proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education and the Social and Behavioral Sciences . Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2005.

How to Approach Writing a Research Proposal

Your professor may assign the task of writing a research proposal for the following reasons:

• Develop your skills in thinking about and designing a comprehensive research study;
• Learn how to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature to determine that the research problem has not been adequately addressed or has been answered ineffectively and, in so doing, become better at locating pertinent scholarship related to your topic;
• Improve your general research and writing skills;
• Practice identifying the logical steps that must be taken to accomplish one's research goals;
• Critically review, examine, and consider the use of different methods for gathering and analyzing data related to the research problem; and,
• Nurture a sense of inquisitiveness within yourself and to help see yourself as an active participant in the process of conducting scholarly research.

A proposal should contain all the key elements involved in designing a completed research study, with sufficient information that allows readers to assess the validity and usefulness of your proposed study. The only elements missing from a research proposal are the findings of the study and your analysis of those findings. Finally, an effective proposal is judged on the quality of your writing and, therefore, it is important that your proposal is coherent, clear, and compelling.

Regardless of the research problem you are investigating and the methodology you choose, all research proposals must address the following questions:

• What do you plan to accomplish? Be clear and succinct in defining the research problem and what it is you are proposing to investigate.
• Why do you want to do the research? In addition to detailing your research design, you also must conduct a thorough review of the literature and provide convincing evidence that it is a topic worthy of in-depth study. A successful research proposal must answer the "So What?" question.
• How are you going to conduct the research? Be sure that what you propose is doable. If you're having difficulty formulating a research problem to propose investigating, go here for strategies in developing a problem to study.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failure to be concise . A research proposal must be focused and not be "all over the map" or diverge into unrelated tangents without a clear sense of purpose.
• Failure to cite landmark works in your literature review . Proposals should be grounded in foundational research that lays a foundation for understanding the development and scope of the the topic and its relevance.
• Failure to delimit the contextual scope of your research [e.g., time, place, people, etc.]. As with any research paper, your proposed study must inform the reader how and in what ways the study will frame the problem.
• Failure to develop a coherent and persuasive argument for the proposed research . This is critical. In many workplace settings, the research proposal is a formal document intended to argue for why a study should be funded.
• Sloppy or imprecise writing, or poor grammar . Although a research proposal does not represent a completed research study, there is still an expectation that it is well-written and follows the style and rules of good academic writing.
• Too much detail on minor issues, but not enough detail on major issues . Your proposal should focus on only a few key research questions in order to support the argument that the research needs to be conducted. Minor issues, even if valid, can be mentioned but they should not dominate the overall narrative.

Procter, Margaret. The Academic Proposal.  The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Sanford, Keith. Information for Students: Writing a Research Proposal. Baylor University; Wong, Paul T. P. How to Write a Research Proposal. International Network on Personal Meaning. Trinity Western University; Writing Academic Proposals: Conferences, Articles, and Books. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Writing a Research Proposal. University Library. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Structure and Writing Style

Beginning the Proposal Process

As with writing most college-level academic papers, research proposals are generally organized the same way throughout most social science disciplines. The text of proposals generally vary in length between ten and thirty-five pages, followed by the list of references. However, before you begin, read the assignment carefully and, if anything seems unclear, ask your professor whether there are any specific requirements for organizing and writing the proposal.

A good place to begin is to ask yourself a series of questions:

• What do I want to study?
• Why is the topic important?
• How is it significant within the subject areas covered in my class?
• What problems will it help solve?
• How does it build upon [and hopefully go beyond] research already conducted on the topic?
• What exactly should I plan to do, and can I get it done in the time available?

In general, a compelling research proposal should document your knowledge of the topic and demonstrate your enthusiasm for conducting the study. Approach it with the intention of leaving your readers feeling like, "Wow, that's an exciting idea and I can’t wait to see how it turns out!"

Most proposals should include the following sections:

I.  Introduction

In the real world of higher education, a research proposal is most often written by scholars seeking grant funding for a research project or it's the first step in getting approval to write a doctoral dissertation. Even if this is just a course assignment, treat your introduction as the initial pitch of an idea based on a thorough examination of the significance of a research problem. After reading the introduction, your readers should not only have an understanding of what you want to do, but they should also be able to gain a sense of your passion for the topic and to be excited about the study's possible outcomes. Note that most proposals do not include an abstract [summary] before the introduction.

Think about your introduction as a narrative written in two to four paragraphs that succinctly answers the following four questions :

• What is the central research problem?
• What is the topic of study related to that research problem?
• What methods should be used to analyze the research problem?
• Answer the "So What?" question by explaining why this is important research, what is its significance, and why should someone reading the proposal care about the outcomes of the proposed study?

II.  Background and Significance

This is where you explain the scope and context of your proposal and describe in detail why it's important. It can be melded into your introduction or you can create a separate section to help with the organization and narrative flow of your proposal. Approach writing this section with the thought that you can’t assume your readers will know as much about the research problem as you do. Note that this section is not an essay going over everything you have learned about the topic; instead, you must choose what is most relevant in explaining the aims of your research.

To that end, while there are no prescribed rules for establishing the significance of your proposed study, you should attempt to address some or all of the following:

• State the research problem and give a more detailed explanation about the purpose of the study than what you stated in the introduction. This is particularly important if the problem is complex or multifaceted .
• Present the rationale of your proposed study and clearly indicate why it is worth doing; be sure to answer the "So What? question [i.e., why should anyone care?].
• Describe the major issues or problems examined by your research. This can be in the form of questions to be addressed. Be sure to note how your proposed study builds on previous assumptions about the research problem.
• Explain the methods you plan to use for conducting your research. Clearly identify the key sources you intend to use and explain how they will contribute to your analysis of the topic.
• Describe the boundaries of your proposed research in order to provide a clear focus. Where appropriate, state not only what you plan to study, but what aspects of the research problem will be excluded from the study.
• If necessary, provide definitions of key concepts, theories, or terms.

III.  Literature Review

Connected to the background and significance of your study is a section of your proposal devoted to a more deliberate review and synthesis of prior studies related to the research problem under investigation . The purpose here is to place your project within the larger whole of what is currently being explored, while at the same time, demonstrating to your readers that your work is original and innovative. Think about what questions other researchers have asked, what methodological approaches they have used, and what is your understanding of their findings and, when stated, their recommendations. Also pay attention to any suggestions for further research.

Since a literature review is information dense, it is crucial that this section is intelligently structured to enable a reader to grasp the key arguments underpinning your proposed study in relation to the arguments put forth by other researchers. A good strategy is to break the literature into "conceptual categories" [themes] rather than systematically or chronologically describing groups of materials one at a time. Note that conceptual categories generally reveal themselves after you have read most of the pertinent literature on your topic so adding new categories is an on-going process of discovery as you review more studies. How do you know you've covered the key conceptual categories underlying the research literature? Generally, you can have confidence that all of the significant conceptual categories have been identified if you start to see repetition in the conclusions or recommendations that are being made.

NOTE: Do not shy away from challenging the conclusions made in prior research as a basis for supporting the need for your proposal. Assess what you believe is missing and state how previous research has failed to adequately examine the issue that your study addresses. Highlighting the problematic conclusions strengthens your proposal. For more information on writing literature reviews, GO HERE .

To help frame your proposal's review of prior research, consider the "five C’s" of writing a literature review:

• Cite , so as to keep the primary focus on the literature pertinent to your research problem.
• Compare the various arguments, theories, methodologies, and findings expressed in the literature: what do the authors agree on? Who applies similar approaches to analyzing the research problem?
• Contrast the various arguments, themes, methodologies, approaches, and controversies expressed in the literature: describe what are the major areas of disagreement, controversy, or debate among scholars?
• Critique the literature: Which arguments are more persuasive, and why? Which approaches, findings, and methodologies seem most reliable, valid, or appropriate, and why? Pay attention to the verbs you use to describe what an author says/does [e.g., asserts, demonstrates, argues, etc.].
• Connect the literature to your own area of research and investigation: how does your own work draw upon, depart from, synthesize, or add a new perspective to what has been said in the literature?

IV.  Research Design and Methods

This section must be well-written and logically organized because you are not actually doing the research, yet, your reader must have confidence that you have a plan worth pursuing . The reader will never have a study outcome from which to evaluate whether your methodological choices were the correct ones. Thus, the objective here is to convince the reader that your overall research design and proposed methods of analysis will correctly address the problem and that the methods will provide the means to effectively interpret the potential results. Your design and methods should be unmistakably tied to the specific aims of your study.

Describe the overall research design by building upon and drawing examples from your review of the literature. Consider not only methods that other researchers have used, but methods of data gathering that have not been used but perhaps could be. Be specific about the methodological approaches you plan to undertake to obtain information, the techniques you would use to analyze the data, and the tests of external validity to which you commit yourself [i.e., the trustworthiness by which you can generalize from your study to other people, places, events, and/or periods of time].

When describing the methods you will use, be sure to cover the following:

• Specify the research process you will undertake and the way you will interpret the results obtained in relation to the research problem. Don't just describe what you intend to achieve from applying the methods you choose, but state how you will spend your time while applying these methods [e.g., coding text from interviews to find statements about the need to change school curriculum; running a regression to determine if there is a relationship between campaign advertising on social media sites and election outcomes in Europe ].
• Keep in mind that the methodology is not just a list of tasks; it is a deliberate argument as to why techniques for gathering information add up to the best way to investigate the research problem. This is an important point because the mere listing of tasks to be performed does not demonstrate that, collectively, they effectively address the research problem. Be sure you clearly explain this.
• Anticipate and acknowledge any potential barriers and pitfalls in carrying out your research design and explain how you plan to address them. No method applied to research in the social and behavioral sciences is perfect, so you need to describe where you believe challenges may exist in obtaining data or accessing information. It's always better to acknowledge this than to have it brought up by your professor!

V.  Preliminary Suppositions and Implications

Just because you don't have to actually conduct the study and analyze the results, doesn't mean you can skip talking about the analytical process and potential implications . The purpose of this section is to argue how and in what ways you believe your research will refine, revise, or extend existing knowledge in the subject area under investigation. Depending on the aims and objectives of your study, describe how the anticipated results will impact future scholarly research, theory, practice, forms of interventions, or policy making. Note that such discussions may have either substantive [a potential new policy], theoretical [a potential new understanding], or methodological [a potential new way of analyzing] significance.   When thinking about the potential implications of your study, ask the following questions:

• What might the results mean in regards to challenging the theoretical framework and underlying assumptions that support the study?
• What suggestions for subsequent research could arise from the potential outcomes of the study?
• What will the results mean to practitioners in the natural settings of their workplace, organization, or community?
• Will the results influence programs, methods, and/or forms of intervention?
• How might the results contribute to the solution of social, economic, or other types of problems?
• Will the results influence policy decisions?
• In what way do individuals or groups benefit should your study be pursued?
• What will be improved or changed as a result of the proposed research?
• How will the results of the study be implemented and what innovations or transformative insights could emerge from the process of implementation?

NOTE:   This section should not delve into idle speculation, opinion, or be formulated on the basis of unclear evidence . The purpose is to reflect upon gaps or understudied areas of the current literature and describe how your proposed research contributes to a new understanding of the research problem should the study be implemented as designed.

ANOTHER NOTE : This section is also where you describe any potential limitations to your proposed study. While it is impossible to highlight all potential limitations because the study has yet to be conducted, you still must tell the reader where and in what form impediments may arise and how you plan to address them.

VI.  Conclusion

The conclusion reiterates the importance or significance of your proposal and provides a brief summary of the entire study . This section should be only one or two paragraphs long, emphasizing why the research problem is worth investigating, why your research study is unique, and how it should advance existing knowledge.

Someone reading this section should come away with an understanding of:

• Why the study should be done;
• The specific purpose of the study and the research questions it attempts to answer;
• The decision for why the research design and methods used where chosen over other options;
• The potential implications emerging from your proposed study of the research problem; and
• A sense of how your study fits within the broader scholarship about the research problem.

VII.  Citations

As with any scholarly research paper, you must cite the sources you used . In a standard research proposal, this section can take two forms, so consult with your professor about which one is preferred.

• References -- a list of only the sources you actually used in creating your proposal.
• Bibliography -- a list of everything you used in creating your proposal, along with additional citations to any key sources relevant to understanding the research problem.

In either case, this section should testify to the fact that you did enough preparatory work to ensure the project will complement and not just duplicate the efforts of other researchers. It demonstrates to the reader that you have a thorough understanding of prior research on the topic.

Most proposal formats have you start a new page and use the heading "References" or "Bibliography" centered at the top of the page. Cited works should always use a standard format that follows the writing style advised by the discipline of your course [e.g., education=APA; history=Chicago] or that is preferred by your professor. This section normally does not count towards the total page length of your research proposal.

Develop a Research Proposal: Writing the Proposal. Office of Library Information Services. Baltimore County Public Schools; Heath, M. Teresa Pereira and Caroline Tynan. “Crafting a Research Proposal.” The Marketing Review 10 (Summer 2010): 147-168; Jones, Mark. “Writing a Research Proposal.” In MasterClass in Geography Education: Transforming Teaching and Learning . Graham Butt, editor. (New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2015), pp. 113-127; Juni, Muhamad Hanafiah. “Writing a Research Proposal.” International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences 1 (September/October 2014): 229-240; Krathwohl, David R. How to Prepare a Dissertation Proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education and the Social and Behavioral Sciences . Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2005; Procter, Margaret. The Academic Proposal. The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Punch, Keith and Wayne McGowan. "Developing and Writing a Research Proposal." In From Postgraduate to Social Scientist: A Guide to Key Skills . Nigel Gilbert, ed. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2006), 59-81; Wong, Paul T. P. How to Write a Research Proposal. International Network on Personal Meaning. Trinity Western University; Writing Academic Proposals: Conferences , Articles, and Books. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Writing a Research Proposal. University Library. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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How to write a research proposal

What is a research proposal?

What is the purpose of a research proposal , how long should a research proposal be, what should be included in a research proposal, 1. the title page, 2. introduction, 3. literature review, 4. research design, 5. implications, 6. reference list, frequently asked questions about writing a research proposal, related articles.

If you’re in higher education, the term “research proposal” is something you’re likely to be familiar with. But what is it, exactly? You’ll normally come across the need to prepare a research proposal when you’re looking to secure Ph.D. funding.

When you’re trying to find someone to fund your Ph.D. research, a research proposal is essentially your “pitch.”

A research proposal is a concise and coherent summary of your proposed research.

You’ll need to set out the issues that are central to the topic area and how you intend to address them with your research. To do this, you’ll need to give the following:

• an outline of the general area of study within which your research falls
• an overview of how much is currently known about the topic
• a literature review that covers the recent scholarly debate or conversation around the topic

➡️  What is a literature review? Learn more in our guide.

Essentially, you are trying to persuade your institution that you and your project are worth investing their time and money into.

It is the opportunity for you to demonstrate that you have the aptitude for this level of research by showing that you can articulate complex ideas:

It also helps you to find the right supervisor to oversee your research. When you’re writing your research proposal, you should always have this in the back of your mind.

This is the document that potential supervisors will use in determining the legitimacy of your research and, consequently, whether they will invest in you or not. It is therefore incredibly important that you spend some time on getting it right.

Tip: While there may not always be length requirements for research proposals, you should strive to cover everything you need to in a concise way.

If your research proposal is for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, it may only be a few pages long. For a Ph.D., a proposal could be a pretty long document that spans a few dozen pages.

➡️ Research proposals are similar to grant proposals. Learn how to write a grant proposal in our guide.

When you’re writing your proposal, keep in mind its purpose and why you’re writing it. It, therefore, needs to clearly explain the relevance of your research and its context with other discussions on the topic. You need to then explain what approach you will take and why it is feasible.

Generally, your structure should look something like this:

• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Research Design
• Implications

If you follow this structure, you’ll have a comprehensive and coherent proposal that looks and feels professional, without missing out on anything important. We’ll take a deep dive into each of these areas one by one next.

The title page might vary slightly per your area of study but, as a general point, your title page should contain the following:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• The name of your institution and your particular department

Tip: Keep in mind any departmental or institutional guidelines for a research proposal title page. Also, your supervisor may ask for specific details to be added to the page.

The introduction is crucial   to your research proposal as it is your first opportunity to hook the reader in. A good introduction section will introduce your project and its relevance to the field of study.

You’ll want to use this space to demonstrate that you have carefully thought about how to present your project as interesting, original, and important research. A good place to start is by introducing the context of your research problem.

Think about answering these questions:

• What is it you want to research and why?
• How does this research relate to the respective field?
• How much is already known about this area?
• Who might find this research interesting?
• What are the key questions you aim to answer with your research?
• What will the findings of this project add to the topic area?

Your introduction aims to set yourself off on a great footing and illustrate to the reader that you are an expert in your field and that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge and theory.

The literature review section answers the question who else is talking about your proposed research topic.

You want to demonstrate that your research will contribute to conversations around the topic and that it will sit happily amongst experts in the field.

➡️ Read more about how to write a literature review .

There are lots of ways you can find relevant information for your literature review, including:

• Research relevant academic sources such as books and journals to find similar conversations around the topic.
• Read through abstracts and bibliographies of your academic sources to look for relevance and further additional resources without delving too deep into articles that are possibly not relevant to you.
• Watch out for heavily-cited works . This should help you to identify authoritative work that you need to read and document.
• Look for any research gaps , trends and patterns, common themes, debates, and contradictions.
• Consider any seminal studies on the topic area as it is likely anticipated that you will address these in your research proposal.

This is where you get down to the real meat of your research proposal. It should be a discussion about the overall approach you plan on taking, and the practical steps you’ll follow in answering the research questions you’ve posed.

So what should you discuss here? Some of the key things you will need to discuss at this point are:

• What form will your research take? Is it qualitative/quantitative/mixed? Will your research be primary or secondary?
• What sources will you use? Who or what will you be studying as part of your research.
• Document your research method. How are you practically going to carry out your research? What tools will you need? What procedures will you use?
• Any practicality issues you foresee. Do you think there will be any obstacles to your anticipated timescale? What resources will you require in carrying out your research?

Your research design should also discuss the potential implications of your research. For example, are you looking to confirm an existing theory or develop a new one?

If you intend to create a basis for further research, you should describe this here.

It is important to explain fully what you want the outcome of your research to look like and what you want to achieve by it. This will help those reading your research proposal to decide if it’s something the field  needs  and  wants,  and ultimately whether they will support you with it.

When you reach the end of your research proposal, you’ll have to compile a list of references for everything you’ve cited above. Ideally, you should keep track of everything from the beginning. Otherwise, this could be a mammoth and pretty laborious task to do.

Consider using a reference manager like Paperpile to format and organize your citations. Paperpile allows you to organize and save your citations for later use and cite them in thousands of citation styles directly in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or LaTeX.

Your project may also require you to have a timeline, depending on the budget you are requesting. If you need one, you should include it here and explain both the timeline and the budget you need, documenting what should be done at each stage of the research and how much of the budget this will use.

This is the final step, but not one to be missed. You should make sure that you edit and proofread your document so that you can be sure there are no mistakes.

A good idea is to have another person proofread the document for you so that you get a fresh pair of eyes on it. You can even have a professional proofreader do this for you.

This is an important document and you don’t want spelling or grammatical mistakes to get in the way of you and your reader.

➡️ Working on a research proposal for a thesis? Take a look at our guide on how to come up with a topic for your thesis .

A research proposal is a concise and coherent summary of your proposed research. Generally, your research proposal will have a title page, introduction, literature review section, a section about research design and explaining the implications of your research, and a reference list.

A good research proposal is concise and coherent. It has a clear purpose, clearly explains the relevance of your research and its context with other discussions on the topic. A good research proposal explains what approach you will take and why it is feasible.

You need a research proposal to persuade your institution that you and your project are worth investing their time and money into. It is your opportunity to demonstrate your aptitude for this level or research by showing that you can articulate complex ideas clearly, concisely, and critically.

A research proposal is essentially your "pitch" when you're trying to find someone to fund your PhD. It is a clear and concise summary of your proposed research. It gives an outline of the general area of study within which your research falls, it elaborates how much is currently known about the topic, and it highlights any recent debate or conversation around the topic by other academics.

The general answer is: as long as it needs to be to cover everything. The length of your research proposal depends on the requirements from the institution that you are applying to. Make sure to carefully read all the instructions given, and if this specific information is not provided, you can always ask.

How to write a research proposal

Drafting your first research proposal can be intimidating if you’ve never written (or seen) one before. Our grad students and admissions staff have some advice on making a start.

Before you make a start

Is it a requirement for your course.

For some research courses in sciences you’ll join an existing research group so you don’t need to write a full research proposal, just a list of the groups and/or supervisors you want to work with. You might be asked to write a personal statement instead, giving your research interests and experience.

Still, for many of our research courses — especially in humanities and social sciences — your research proposal is one of the most significant parts of your application. Grades and other evidence of your academic ability and potential are important, but even if you’re academically outstanding you’ll need to show you’re a good match for the department’s staff expertise and research interests. Every course page on the University website has detailed information on what you’ll need to send with your application, so make sure that’s your first step before you continue:

There are many ways to start, I’ve heard stories about people approaching it totally differently. Yannis (DPhil in Computer Science)

How to begin?

There isn’t one right way to start writing a research proposal. First of all, make sure you’ve read your course page - it’ll have instructions for what to include in your research proposal (as well as anything to avoid), how your department will assess it, and the required word count.

Start small, think big

A research degree is a big undertaking, and it’s normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at first. One way to start writing is to look back at the work you’ve already done. How does your proposed research build on this, and the other research in the area? One of the most important things you’ll be showing through your research project is that your project is achievable in the time available for your course, and that you’ve got (or know how you’ll get) the right skills and experience to pull off your plan.

They don’t expect you to be the expert, you just have to have good ideas. Be willing to challenge things and do something new. Rebecca (DPhil in Medieval and Modern Languages)

However, you don’t have to know everything - after all, you haven’t started yet! When reading your proposal, your department will be looking at the potential and originality of your research, and whether you have a solid understanding of the topic you’ve chosen.

But why Oxford?

An Admissions Officer at one of our colleges says that it’s important to explain why you’re applying to Oxford, and to your department in particular:

“Really, this is all dependent on a department. Look at the department in depth, and look at what they offer — how is it in line with your interests?”

Think about what you need to successfully execute your research plans and explain how Oxford’s academic facilities and community will support your work. Should I email a potential supervisor? Got an idea? If your course page says it’s alright to contact a supervisor (check the top of the How to apply section), it’s a good idea to get in touch with potential supervisors when you come to write your proposal.

You’re allowed to reach out to academics that you might be interested in supervising you. They can tell you if your research is something that we can support here, and how, and give you ideas. Admissions Officer 

You’ll find more information about the academics working in your area on your department’s website (follow the department links on your course page ). John (DPhil in Earth Sciences) emailed a professor who had the same research interests as he did.

“Luckily enough, he replied the next day and was keen to support me in the application.”

These discussions might help you to refine your ideas and your research proposal.

Layal says, “I discussed ideas with my supervisor — what’s feasible, what would be interesting. He supported me a lot with that, and I went away and wrote it.”

It’s also an opportunity to find out more about the programme and the department:

“Getting in touch with people who are here is a really good way to ask questions.”

Not sure how to find a potential supervisor for your research? Visit our How-to guide on finding a supervisor .

Asking for help

My supervisors helped me with my research proposal, which is great. You don’t expect that, but they were really helpful prior to my application. Nyree (DPhil in Archaeological Science)

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and feedback as you go. For example, you could reach out to a supervisor from your current or previous degree, or to friends who are also studying and could give you some honest feedback.

More help with your application

You can find instructions for the supporting documents you’ll need to include in your application on your course page and in the Application Guide.

Applicant advice hub

This content was previously available through our  Applicant advice hub . The hub contained links to articles hosted on our  Graduate Study at Oxford Medium channel . We've moved the articles that support the application process into this new section of our website.

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11.2 Steps in Developing a Research Proposal

Learning objectives.

• Identify the steps in developing a research proposal.
• Choose a topic and formulate a research question and working thesis.
• Develop a research proposal.

Writing a good research paper takes time, thought, and effort. Although this assignment is challenging, it is manageable. Focusing on one step at a time will help you develop a thoughtful, informative, well-supported research paper.

Your first step is to choose a topic and then to develop research questions, a working thesis, and a written research proposal. Set aside adequate time for this part of the process. Fully exploring ideas will help you build a solid foundation for your paper.

Choosing a Topic

When you choose a topic for a research paper, you are making a major commitment. Your choice will help determine whether you enjoy the lengthy process of research and writing—and whether your final paper fulfills the assignment requirements. If you choose your topic hastily, you may later find it difficult to work with your topic. By taking your time and choosing carefully, you can ensure that this assignment is not only challenging but also rewarding.

Writers understand the importance of choosing a topic that fulfills the assignment requirements and fits the assignment’s purpose and audience. (For more information about purpose and audience, see Chapter 6 “Writing Paragraphs: Separating Ideas and Shaping Content” .) Choosing a topic that interests you is also crucial. You instructor may provide a list of suggested topics or ask that you develop a topic on your own. In either case, try to identify topics that genuinely interest you.

After identifying potential topic ideas, you will need to evaluate your ideas and choose one topic to pursue. Will you be able to find enough information about the topic? Can you develop a paper about this topic that presents and supports your original ideas? Is the topic too broad or too narrow for the scope of the assignment? If so, can you modify it so it is more manageable? You will ask these questions during this preliminary phase of the research process.

Identifying Potential Topics

Sometimes, your instructor may provide a list of suggested topics. If so, you may benefit from identifying several possibilities before committing to one idea. It is important to know how to narrow down your ideas into a concise, manageable thesis. You may also use the list as a starting point to help you identify additional, related topics. Discussing your ideas with your instructor will help ensure that you choose a manageable topic that fits the requirements of the assignment.

In this chapter, you will follow a writer named Jorge, who is studying health care administration, as he prepares a research paper. You will also plan, research, and draft your own research paper.

Jorge was assigned to write a research paper on health and the media for an introductory course in health care. Although a general topic was selected for the students, Jorge had to decide which specific issues interested him. He brainstormed a list of possibilities.

If you are writing a research paper for a specialized course, look back through your notes and course activities. Identify reading assignments and class discussions that especially engaged you. Doing so can help you identify topics to pursue.

• Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) in the news
• Sexual education programs
• Hollywood and eating disorders
• Americans’ access to public health information
• Media portrayal of health care reform bill
• Depictions of drugs on television
• The effect of the Internet on mental health
• Popularized diets (such as low-carbohydrate diets)
• Fear of pandemics (bird flu, HINI, SARS)
• Electronic entertainment and obesity
• Advertisements for prescription drugs
• Public education and disease prevention

Set a timer for five minutes. Use brainstorming or idea mapping to create a list of topics you would be interested in researching for a paper about the influence of the Internet on social networking. Do you closely follow the media coverage of a particular website, such as Twitter? Would you like to learn more about a certain industry, such as online dating? Which social networking sites do you and your friends use? List as many ideas related to this topic as you can.

Narrowing Your Topic

Once you have a list of potential topics, you will need to choose one as the focus of your essay. You will also need to narrow your topic. Most writers find that the topics they listed during brainstorming or idea mapping are broad—too broad for the scope of the assignment. Working with an overly broad topic, such as sexual education programs or popularized diets, can be frustrating and overwhelming. Each topic has so many facets that it would be impossible to cover them all in a college research paper. However, more specific choices, such as the pros and cons of sexual education in kids’ television programs or the physical effects of the South Beach diet, are specific enough to write about without being too narrow to sustain an entire research paper.

A good research paper provides focused, in-depth information and analysis. If your topic is too broad, you will find it difficult to do more than skim the surface when you research it and write about it. Narrowing your focus is essential to making your topic manageable. To narrow your focus, explore your topic in writing, conduct preliminary research, and discuss both the topic and the research with others.

Exploring Your Topic in Writing

“How am I supposed to narrow my topic when I haven’t even begun researching yet?” In fact, you may already know more than you realize. Review your list and identify your top two or three topics. Set aside some time to explore each one through freewriting. (For more information about freewriting, see Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” .) Simply taking the time to focus on your topic may yield fresh angles.

Jorge knew that he was especially interested in the topic of diet fads, but he also knew that it was much too broad for his assignment. He used freewriting to explore his thoughts so he could narrow his topic. Read Jorge’s ideas.

Conducting Preliminary Research

Another way writers may focus a topic is to conduct preliminary research . Like freewriting, exploratory reading can help you identify interesting angles. Surfing the web and browsing through newspaper and magazine articles are good ways to start. Find out what people are saying about your topic on blogs and online discussion groups. Discussing your topic with others can also inspire you. Talk about your ideas with your classmates, your friends, or your instructor.

Jorge’s freewriting exercise helped him realize that the assigned topic of health and the media intersected with a few of his interests—diet, nutrition, and obesity. Preliminary online research and discussions with his classmates strengthened his impression that many people are confused or misled by media coverage of these subjects.

Jorge decided to focus his paper on a topic that had garnered a great deal of media attention—low-carbohydrate diets. He wanted to find out whether low-carbohydrate diets were as effective as their proponents claimed.

Writing at Work

At work, you may need to research a topic quickly to find general information. This information can be useful in understanding trends in a given industry or generating competition. For example, a company may research a competitor’s prices and use the information when pricing their own product. You may find it useful to skim a variety of reliable sources and take notes on your findings.

The reliability of online sources varies greatly. In this exploratory phase of your research, you do not need to evaluate sources as closely as you will later. However, use common sense as you refine your paper topic. If you read a fascinating blog comment that gives you a new idea for your paper, be sure to check out other, more reliable sources as well to make sure the idea is worth pursuing.

Review the list of topics you created in Note 11.18 “Exercise 1” and identify two or three topics you would like to explore further. For each of these topics, spend five to ten minutes writing about the topic without stopping. Then review your writing to identify possible areas of focus.

Set aside time to conduct preliminary research about your potential topics. Then choose a topic to pursue for your research paper.

Collaboration

Please share your topic list with a classmate. Select one or two topics on his or her list that you would like to learn more about and return it to him or her. Discuss why you found the topics interesting, and learn which of your topics your classmate selected and why.

A Plan for Research

Your freewriting and preliminary research have helped you choose a focused, manageable topic for your research paper. To work with your topic successfully, you will need to determine what exactly you want to learn about it—and later, what you want to say about it. Before you begin conducting in-depth research, you will further define your focus by developing a research question , a working thesis, and a research proposal.

Formulating a Research Question

In forming a research question, you are setting a goal for your research. Your main research question should be substantial enough to form the guiding principle of your paper—but focused enough to guide your research. A strong research question requires you not only to find information but also to put together different pieces of information, interpret and analyze them, and figure out what you think. As you consider potential research questions, ask yourself whether they would be too hard or too easy to answer.

To determine your research question, review the freewriting you completed earlier. Skim through books, articles, and websites and list the questions you have. (You may wish to use the 5WH strategy to help you formulate questions. See Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” for more information about 5WH questions.) Include simple, factual questions and more complex questions that would require analysis and interpretation. Determine your main question—the primary focus of your paper—and several subquestions that you will need to research to answer your main question.

Here are the research questions Jorge will use to focus his research. Notice that his main research question has no obvious, straightforward answer. Jorge will need to research his subquestions, which address narrower topics, to answer his main question.

Using the topic you selected in Note 11.24 “Exercise 2” , write your main research question and at least four to five subquestions. Check that your main research question is appropriately complex for your assignment.

Constructing a Working ThesIs

A working thesis concisely states a writer’s initial answer to the main research question. It does not merely state a fact or present a subjective opinion. Instead, it expresses a debatable idea or claim that you hope to prove through additional research. Your working thesis is called a working thesis for a reason—it is subject to change. As you learn more about your topic, you may change your thinking in light of your research findings. Let your working thesis serve as a guide to your research, but do not be afraid to modify it based on what you learn.

Jorge began his research with a strong point of view based on his preliminary writing and research. Read his working thesis statement, which presents the point he will argue. Notice how it states Jorge’s tentative answer to his research question.

One way to determine your working thesis is to consider how you would complete sentences such as I believe or My opinion is . However, keep in mind that academic writing generally does not use first-person pronouns. These statements are useful starting points, but formal research papers use an objective voice.

Write a working thesis statement that presents your preliminary answer to the research question you wrote in Note 11.27 “Exercise 3” . Check that your working thesis statement presents an idea or claim that could be supported or refuted by evidence from research.

Creating a Research Proposal

A research proposal is a brief document—no more than one typed page—that summarizes the preliminary work you have completed. Your purpose in writing it is to formalize your plan for research and present it to your instructor for feedback. In your research proposal, you will present your main research question, related subquestions, and working thesis. You will also briefly discuss the value of researching this topic and indicate how you plan to gather information.

When Jorge began drafting his research proposal, he realized that he had already created most of the pieces he needed. However, he knew he also had to explain how his research would be relevant to other future health care professionals. In addition, he wanted to form a general plan for doing the research and identifying potentially useful sources. Read Jorge’s research proposal.

Before you begin a new project at work, you may have to develop a project summary document that states the purpose of the project, explains why it would be a wise use of company resources, and briefly outlines the steps involved in completing the project. This type of document is similar to a research proposal. Both documents define and limit a project, explain its value, discuss how to proceed, and identify what resources you will use.

Writing Your Own Research Proposal

Now you may write your own research proposal, if you have not done so already. Follow the guidelines provided in this lesson.

Key Takeaways

• Developing a research proposal involves the following preliminary steps: identifying potential ideas, choosing ideas to explore further, choosing and narrowing a topic, formulating a research question, and developing a working thesis.
• A good topic for a research paper interests the writer and fulfills the requirements of the assignment.
• Defining and narrowing a topic helps writers conduct focused, in-depth research.
• Writers conduct preliminary research to identify possible topics and research questions and to develop a working thesis.
• A good research question interests readers, is neither too broad nor too narrow, and has no obvious answer.
• A good working thesis expresses a debatable idea or claim that can be supported with evidence from research.
• Writers create a research proposal to present their topic, main research question, subquestions, and working thesis to an instructor for approval or feedback.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

What (Exactly) Is A Research Proposal?

A simple explainer with examples + free template.

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2020 (Updated April 2023)

Whether you’re nearing the end of your degree and your dissertation is on the horizon, or you’re planning to apply for a PhD program, chances are you’ll need to craft a convincing research proposal . If you’re on this page, you’re probably unsure exactly what the research proposal is all about. Well, you’ve come to the right place.

Overview: Research Proposal Basics

• What a research proposal is
• What a research proposal needs to cover
• How to structure your research proposal
• Example /sample proposals
• Proposal writing FAQs
• Key takeaways & additional resources

What is a research proposal?

Simply put, a research proposal is a structured, formal document that explains what you plan to research (your research topic), why it’s worth researching (your justification), and how  you plan to investigate it (your methodology). 

The purpose of the research proposal (its job, so to speak) is to convince  your research supervisor, committee or university that your research is  suitable  (for the requirements of the degree program) and  manageable  (given the time and resource constraints you will face). 

The most important word here is “ convince ” – in other words, your research proposal needs to  sell  your research idea (to whoever is going to approve it). If it doesn’t convince them (of its suitability and manageability), you’ll need to revise and resubmit . This will cost you valuable time, which will either delay the start of your research or eat into its time allowance (which is bad news). 

What goes into a research proposal?

A good dissertation or thesis proposal needs to cover the “ what “, “ why ” and” how ” of the proposed study. Let’s look at each of these attributes in a little more detail:

Your proposal needs to clearly articulate your research topic . This needs to be specific and unambiguous . Your research topic should make it clear exactly what you plan to research and in what context. Here’s an example of a well-articulated research topic:

An investigation into the factors which impact female Generation Y consumer’s likelihood to promote a specific makeup brand to their peers: a British context

As you can see, this topic is extremely clear. From this one line we can see exactly:

• What’s being investigated – factors that make people promote or advocate for a brand of a specific makeup brand
• Who it involves – female Gen-Y consumers
• In what context – the United Kingdom

So, make sure that your research proposal provides a detailed explanation of your research topic . If possible, also briefly outline your research aims and objectives , and perhaps even your research questions (although in some cases you’ll only develop these at a later stage). Needless to say, don’t start writing your proposal until you have a clear topic in mind , or you’ll end up waffling and your research proposal will suffer as a result of this.

Need a helping hand?

As we touched on earlier, it’s not good enough to simply propose a research topic – you need to justify why your topic is original . In other words, what makes it  unique ? What gap in the current literature does it fill? If it’s simply a rehash of the existing research, it’s probably not going to get approval – it needs to be fresh.

But,  originality  alone is not enough. Once you’ve ticked that box, you also need to justify why your proposed topic is  important . In other words, what value will it add to the world if you achieve your research aims?

As an example, let’s look at the sample research topic we mentioned earlier (factors impacting brand advocacy). In this case, if the research could uncover relevant factors, these findings would be very useful to marketers in the cosmetics industry, and would, therefore, have commercial value . That is a clear justification for the research.

So, when you’re crafting your research proposal, remember that it’s not enough for a topic to simply be unique. It needs to be useful and value-creating – and you need to convey that value in your proposal. If you’re struggling to find a research topic that makes the cut, watch  our video covering how to find a research topic .

It’s all good and well to have a great topic that’s original and valuable, but you’re not going to convince anyone to approve it without discussing the practicalities – in other words:

• How will you actually undertake your research (i.e., your methodology)?
• Is your research methodology appropriate given your research aims?
• Is your approach manageable given your constraints (time, money, etc.)?

While it’s generally not expected that you’ll have a fully fleshed-out methodology at the proposal stage, you’ll likely still need to provide a high-level overview of your research methodology . Here are some important questions you’ll need to address in your research proposal:

• Will you take a qualitative , quantitative or mixed -method approach?
• What sampling strategy will you adopt?
• How will you collect your data (e.g., interviews, surveys, etc)?
• How will you analyse your data (e.g., descriptive and inferential statistics , content analysis, discourse analysis, etc, .)?
• What potential limitations will your methodology carry?

So, be sure to give some thought to the practicalities of your research and have at least a basic methodological plan before you start writing up your proposal. If this all sounds rather intimidating, the video below provides a good introduction to research methodology and the key choices you’ll need to make.

How To Structure A Research Proposal

Now that we’ve covered the key points that need to be addressed in a proposal, you may be wondering, “ But how is a research proposal structured? “.

While the exact structure and format required for a research proposal differs from university to university, there are four “essential ingredients” that commonly make up the structure of a research proposal:

• A rich introduction and background to the proposed research
• An initial literature review covering the existing research
• An overview of the proposed research methodology
• A discussion regarding the practicalities (project plans, timelines, etc.)

In the video below, we unpack each of these four sections, step by step.

Research Proposal Examples/Samples

In the video below, we provide a detailed walkthrough of two successful research proposals (Master’s and PhD-level), as well as our popular free proposal template.

Proposal Writing FAQs

How long should a research proposal be.

This varies tremendously, depending on the university, the field of study (e.g., social sciences vs natural sciences), and the level of the degree (e.g. undergraduate, Masters or PhD) – so it’s always best to check with your university what their specific requirements are before you start planning your proposal.

As a rough guide, a formal research proposal at Masters-level often ranges between 2000-3000 words, while a PhD-level proposal can be far more detailed, ranging from 5000-8000 words. In some cases, a rough outline of the topic is all that’s needed, while in other cases, universities expect a very detailed proposal that essentially forms the first three chapters of the dissertation or thesis.

The takeaway – be sure to check with your institution before you start writing.

How do I choose a topic for my research proposal?

Finding a good research topic is a process that involves multiple steps. We cover the topic ideation process in this video post.

How do I write a literature review for my proposal?

While you typically won’t need a comprehensive literature review at the proposal stage, you still need to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the key literature and are able to synthesise it. We explain the literature review process here.

How do I create a timeline and budget for my proposal?

We explain how to craft a project plan/timeline and budget in Research Proposal Bootcamp .

Which referencing format should I use in my research proposal?

The expectations and requirements regarding formatting and referencing vary from institution to institution. Therefore, you’ll need to check this information with your university.

What common proposal writing mistakes do I need to look out for?

We’ve create a video post about some of the most common mistakes students make when writing a proposal – you can access that here . If you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary:

• The research topic is too broad (or just poorly articulated).
• The research aims, objectives and questions don’t align.
• The research topic is not well justified.
• The study has a weak theoretical foundation.
• The research design is not well articulated well enough.
• Poor writing and sloppy presentation.
• Poor project planning and risk management.
• Not following the university’s specific criteria.

Key Takeaways & Additional Resources

As you write up your research proposal, remember the all-important core purpose:  to convince . Your research proposal needs to sell your study in terms of suitability and viability. So, focus on crafting a convincing narrative to ensure a strong proposal.

At the same time, pay close attention to your university’s requirements. While we’ve covered the essentials here, every institution has its own set of expectations and it’s essential that you follow these to maximise your chances of approval.

By the way, we’ve got plenty more resources to help you fast-track your research proposal. Here are some of our most popular resources to get you started:

• Proposal Writing 101 : A Introductory Webinar
• Research Proposal Bootcamp : The Ultimate Online Course
• Template : A basic template to help you craft your proposal

If you’re looking for 1-on-1 support with your research proposal, be sure to check out our private coaching service , where we hold your hand through the proposal development process (and the entire research journey), step by step.

Psst… there’s more!

This post is an extract from our bestselling short course, Research Proposal Bootcamp . If you want to work smart, you don't want to miss this .

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51 Comments

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You’re most welcome. We don’t have any research proposals that we can share (the students own the intellectual property), but you might find our research proposal template useful: https://gradcoach.com/research-proposal-template/

Cheruiyot Moses Kipyegon

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How to Write a Research Proposal – The Beginners Guide

Seeking guidance on crafting an effective research proposal? It’s a pivotal concern within academic circles today. Don’t worry though, we’ve got a simple solution for you.

Understanding the intricacies of composing a research proposal is fundamental. Much like its initial formulation, you should take care of its structure and other elements. Before digging into tips and tricks for writing a perfect research proposal, let’s understand what a research proposal is all about.

Table of Contents

What is a Research Proposal?

A research proposal is a key part of studying and exploring a topic academically. It’s like a blueprint for your project, outlining the main ideas and how you will approach it.

At the start of your academic exploration, a research proposal can act as a kind of map, laying out the intended journey, goals, and approaches you’ll use in your study. It’s a way of showing everyone involved a big-picture view of your project, including the scope, objectives, and methods you plan to use.

Getting a research proposal right is key to starting an academic inquiry. It’s a tricky process, so seeking  paper writing help  from professionals is worth considering as well. Anyways, let’s understand the importance of this academic activity which will serve as the first step for learning how to write a research proposal like a pro.

Importance of Writing a Research Proposal for Students

• To articulate and solidify research intentions.
• For skill development in research design and writing.
• As a precursor to future extensive research projects.
• To showcase academic competence and planning ability.
• To gain insights into different research methodologies.
• For feedback and refinement of research ideas.
• To cultivate effective time management skills.
• Identifying and managing required resources.
• For enhancing critical analysis and evaluation abilities.
• Preparing for careers valuing research skills.

How to Start Writing a Research Proposal – Quick Tips

Understand the guidelines.

Begin by thoroughly comprehending the specific guidelines provided by your institution or the target audience. Clarify expectations regarding format, length, and content.

Identify a Strong Research Question

Begin by coming up with a straightforward, to-the-point question or statement about a research topic. It must be focused, pertinent, and dealing with an unanswered question or challenge in the field.

Conduct a Comprehensive Literature Review

Take a look at what’s already been written about your topic. Check out the research that’s out there and put it together to get a better understanding of the context, figure out what hasn’t been looked at before, and make sure your study is important.

Outline Your Methodology

Lay out the ways and strategies you plan on using in your investigation. Explain why these techniques are appropriate and how they help to answer your research question.

Consider Feasibility and Resources

Analyze if you have enough resources, time, and access to the necessary data or materials to do the research you proposed. Make sure it’s doable within the limits you have.

Seek Feedback and Revise

Before you finish up, get advice from your teachers, profs, or friends. Revamp your plan based on what they tell you to make it more understandable, consistent, and better overall.

Title:  4 Things to Avoid While Writing a Research Proposal

• Avoid unclear objectives or methods; be specific in outlining your research goals.
• Avoid neglecting ethical considerations like participant consent and confidentiality.
• Avoid a superficial review; ensure a comprehensive understanding of existing research.
• Avoid proposing research beyond feasible timelines or resources; be realistic in your approach.

Steps to Write a Perfect Research Proposal

These are 11 steps from  our writers  for you to follow with some research proposal examples for perfecting your research proposal writing skills. These steps together can also be termed as the research proposal format.

Step 1: Title

Create a clear, concise, and descriptive title that encapsulates the essence of your proposed research.

The title of a research proposal serves as its initial point of engagement, offering a glimpse into the focus and significance of the study. Crafting a title requires precision to convey the essence of the research succinctly. Here’s a detailed breakdown with examples:

Clarity and Conciseness

The title should be clear and concise, providing a snapshot of the research’s primary focus without unnecessary wording or jargon. It should be easily comprehensible to both experts and non-experts in the field.

Original Title: “An Investigation into the Effects of Environmental Factors on Child Development in Urban Areas”

Revised Title: “Environmental Influences on Urban Child Development”

Specificity

The title should be specific enough to indicate the particular aspect or angle of the research being addressed. Vague or broad titles may fail to capture the uniqueness of the study.

Original Title: “Healthcare Challenges in Developing Countries”

Revised Title: “Access to Healthcare Services in Rural India: A Case Study”

Descriptive and Informative

The title should provide a glimpse of what the research aims to explore or uncover, giving readers an idea of the subject matter.

Original Title: “Social Media’s Impact on Society”

Revised Title: “Navigating Digital Spaces: Exploring the Social Impact of Instagram Influencers”

Keywords and Key Concepts

Incorporating relevant keywords and key concepts can enhance the discoverability of the research and its alignment with the field’s terminology.

Original Title: “Technology in Education”

Revised Title: “Integrating Virtual Reality: Enhancing STEM Education in High Schools”

Reflective of Research Scope

Ensure the title accurately reflects the scope and depth of the proposed research without overpromising or underrepresenting its objectives.

Original Title: “Solving Global Poverty”

Revised Title: “Microfinance Initiatives: Empowering Rural Communities in Sub-Saharan Africa”

Avoid Ambiguity 

Steer clear of ambiguous or misleading titles that may lead to misconceptions about the research’s purpose or scope.

Original Title: “Uncovering Secrets of the Mind”

Revised Title: “Cognitive Psychology: Investigating Memory Retention in Alzheimer’s Patients”

Step 2: Introduction

The introduction of a research proposal is the foundation that sets the stage for the entire study. It aims to engage readers, provide necessary background information, and establish the rationale for the research. Here’s an in-depth explanation with examples:

Introducing the Research Problem or Question

This section should begin by highlighting the specific issue or question your research seeks to address. It serves as a hook to grab the reader’s attention and clarify the focus of your study.

In recent years, there has been a growing concern regarding the declining access to clean water in rural areas of Southeast Asia. This study aims to investigate the socio-economic factors contributing to this issue and propose sustainable solutions to improve water accessibility in these regions.

Providing Context and Background Information

Contextualizing the research problem involves discussing existing knowledge, theories, or previous studies relevant to your topic. This helps situate your research within the broader field and highlights the gaps or limitations in current understanding.

“Studies by Smith et al. (2018) and Johnson (2020) have shed light on the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing clean water. However, while these studies acknowledge the problem, a comprehensive analysis of the socio-economic factors influencing this issue remains lacking.”

Clearly Stating Objectives and Purpose

This part articulates the specific goals or aims of your research. It should clearly outline what you intend to achieve and why your study is significant in addressing the identified problem or gap.

This research endeavors to:

Identify the socio-economic barriers hindering access to clean water.

Assess the impact of community-based initiatives on water accessibility.

Propose sustainable strategies to improve water availability in rural Southeast Asian communities.

The purpose of this study is to contribute valuable insights and practical recommendations to alleviate the water scarcity crisis prevalent in these areas.

Step 3: Literature Review 

The literature review section of a research proposal is a critical component that demonstrates your understanding of the existing scholarship related to your topic. Here’s a detailed breakdown with examples:

Conducting a Comprehensive Review

Begin by extensively exploring scholarly works, research papers, books, and other relevant sources that discuss your research topic. Summarize and synthesize this body of literature, organizing it in a coherent manner.

A review of the literature reveals a multitude of studies examining the impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems. Works by Johnson (2017), Smith et al. (2019), and Garcia (2020) analyze the effects of rising sea levels on biodiversity and local communities in coastal regions.

Identifying Gaps, Debates, or Areas for Further Exploration

While reviewing existing literature, identify gaps or contradictions in the research. Highlight areas where conflicting viewpoints exist or where studies haven’t sufficiently addressed certain aspects of the topic.

Despite the extensive research on the ecological effects of climate change on coastal areas, there remains a dearth of studies focusing on the socio-economic ramifications of these environmental shifts. Moreover, the existing literature primarily emphasizes the impact on flora and fauna, neglecting the human dimension and community resilience in these regions.

Justifying the Need for Your Research

Use the gaps identified in the literature to justify the significance and relevance of your proposed research. Explain how your study will contribute to filling these gaps or addressing the unanswered questions in the field. This is where a professional  research paper writing service  provider does well. 

Given the limited attention to socio-economic aspects in current literature, this proposed research aims to bridge this gap by investigating the adaptive strategies employed by coastal communities facing environmental challenges. By examining both ecological shifts and community responses, this study seeks to provide a holistic understanding of the complexities surrounding climate change impacts.

Step 4: Research Questions or Hypothesis 

The formulation of research questions or hypotheses is a pivotal aspect of a research proposal. Here’s a detailed breakdown with examples:

Clearly Stating Research Questions or Hypotheses

Begin by articulating the specific queries or hypotheses that your research aims to address. These questions or hypotheses serve as the guiding framework for your study, directing the focus of your investigation.

Example – Research Questions

What is the impact of technological integration in classroom settings on student engagement in STEM education?

How does socioeconomic status influence access to healthcare services in underserved urban communities?

Example – Hypotheses :

Increased integration of virtual reality tools in STEM classrooms will positively correlate with higher student engagement levels.

Lower socioeconomic status will be associated with reduced accessibility and utilization of healthcare services in urban areas.

Ensuring SMART Criteria

Your research questions or hypotheses should align with the SMART criteria to ensure their effectiveness and feasibility.

The questions/hypotheses should be well-defined and focused on a particular aspect of the research topic.

Example – Specificity

What factors contribute to the decline in pollinator populations in agricultural areas?

Does the implementation of mindfulness-based interventions reduce stress levels among college students?

They should be quantifiable or have observable outcomes, allowing for empirical testing and measurement.

Example – Measurability

To what extent does exposure to air pollution correlate with respiratory health complications among children?

Is there a significant difference in academic performance between students who receive traditional teaching methods versus those exposed to experiential learning?

The questions/hypotheses should be realistic and feasible to explore within the scope of the study.

Example – Achievability

Can the effectiveness of a new vaccine be adequately assessed within a six-month research period?

Is it feasible to conduct a nationwide survey on consumer behavior within the allocated budget and time frame?

They should directly relate to the research topic and contribute to addressing the research problem or objectives.

Example – Relevance

How does social media usage impact mental health outcomes among adolescents in suburban areas?

Do mentoring programs significantly influence career advancement in underrepresented groups within the tech industry?

They should have a clear timeframe or indicate when the outcomes or answers will be assessed.

Example – Time-Bound

Within what timeframe can the short-term effects of a new drug on disease progression be determined?

Will the effects of climate change on crop yields be noticeable within a five-year observational study?

Step 5: Methodology

The methodology section of a research proposal outlines the strategies, techniques, and procedures you intend to employ to gather and analyze data. Here’s a detailed breakdown with examples:

Describing Data Collection and Analysis Methods

Data Collection

Describe the specific methods you’ll use to gather information. This might include surveys, interviews, observations, experiments, or secondary data collection from existing sources.

Example – Data Collection Methods

A mixed-methods approach will be utilized, involving semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals and a quantitative survey among patients.

Data will be collected through ethnographic fieldwork, including participant observation and in-depth interviews in the selected communities.

Data Analysis

Explain the techniques or tools you’ll apply to analyze the collected data. This could involve statistical analysis, thematic coding, content analysis, or qualitative interpretation methods.

Example – Data Analysis Technique :

Quantitative data will be analyzed using SPSS software to conduct regression analysis, while qualitative data will undergo thematic coding to identify recurring patterns.

Thematic analysis will be employed to identify key themes from interview transcripts, followed by cross-comparison for data triangulation.

Justifying Methodology Choice

Explain how your chosen methodology is appropriate and aligns with addressing your research questions or hypotheses. Justify why these methods are best suited to achieve your objectives.

Example – Justification

The use of surveys and interviews enables a comprehensive exploration of both patient perspectives and healthcare professionals’ insights, allowing for a multifaceted understanding of the healthcare service gaps.

The ethnographic approach is ideal as it facilitates immersive observation and in-depth engagement with community members, essential for capturing the nuanced socio-cultural dynamics affecting environmental practices.

Previous Research Support

Reference existing studies or literature that validate the effectiveness of the chosen methodology in similar research contexts. Highlight how this methodology has been successfully utilized in relevant studies.

Example – Previous Research Support

Similar studies by Jones et al. (2019) and Smith (2020) have utilized mixed-methods approaches in healthcare settings, demonstrating its efficacy in capturing diverse viewpoints and generating comprehensive insights.

Ethnographic studies conducted by Johnson (2018) in similar communities have shown its efficacy in understanding local perspectives and cultural nuances related to environmental behaviors.

Step 6: Timeline

A well-defined timeline in a research proposal demonstrates your planning and organization skills, indicating how you intend to progress through various stages of the research process. Here’s an in-depth breakdown with examples:

Structure of the Timeline

Begin with the proposed start date of the research project and the anticipated end date. This provides a clear timeframe for the entire study.

Divide the research process into distinct stages, such as literature review, data collection, analysis, and writing. Allocate specific durations to each stage.

Considerations for Flexibility

Incorporate buffer periods or contingency time in case of unexpected delays or revisions required in any stage.

Consultation and Feedback: Allocate time for seeking feedback from supervisors, advisors, or peers at different stages of the research.

Realism and Feasibility

Ensure the proposed timeline is realistic and feasible within the available resources, considering factors like access to data, participant availability, and the complexity of analysis.

Step 7: Resources

The resources section in a research proposal outlines the necessary tools, materials, funding, and access required to conduct the proposed study. Here’s a detailed breakdown with examples:

Identifying Required Resources

Specify the databases, archives, or sources needed to access relevant information or datasets for your research.

Access to peer-reviewed journals via academic databases like PubMed, Scopus, and JSTOR for literature review.

Government census data and regional health records for demographic analysis.

Equipment or Tools

Outline any specialized equipment, software, or tools necessary for data collection, analysis, or experimentation.

High-resolution microscopes for cellular imaging in biology research.

Statistical software packages like SPSS or R for data analysis.

Funding Requirements 

Mention any financial support needed for conducting the research, including expenses for travel, participant compensation, or purchasing materials.

Funding for conducting surveys and interviews, including participant incentives.

Travel grant to attend conferences or conduct fieldwork.

Explanation of Resource Acquisition

Describe how you plan to gain access to specific databases, libraries, or archives, whether through institutional subscriptions, collaborations, or memberships.

Access to academic databases will be facilitated through the university’s library subscription, supplemented by interlibrary loan services for specialized journals.

Collaboration with research institutions or organizations granting access to proprietary datasets.

Equipment Procurement or Usage 

Explain whether the required equipment will be sourced internally, borrowed, or rented, or if you’ll seek collaborations with laboratories or facilities possessing the necessary tools.

Utilizing laboratory facilities within the university for conducting experiments, including shared equipment available within the department.

Collaborating with external research centers possessing specialized equipment on a collaborative basis.

Funding Acquisition

Specify the funding sources you plan to apply for or how you intend to secure the necessary financial support for your research.

Applying for research grants offered by government agencies, foundations, or academic institutions.

Seeking sponsorship from industry partners interested in the research topic.

Step 8: Ethical Considerations

Addressing ethical considerations in a research proposal is crucial to ensure that the study complies with ethical standards, safeguards participant rights, and minimizes any potential risks. Here’s a detailed breakdown with examples:

Participant Consent

Explain how you plan to obtain informed consent from participants. Discuss the process of informing participants about the research, their rights, and the voluntary nature of their participation.

Participants will be provided with detailed information sheets explaining the purpose of the study, their involvement, and their rights. Written consent will be obtained prior to their participation.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

Address how you’ll maintain confidentiality and ensure participant anonymity. Describe measures to protect sensitive information and ensure that participants’ identities remain undisclosed.

All data collected will be coded and stored securely, using anonymized identifiers to safeguard participant identities. Only authorized researchers will have access to the data.

Potential Risks and Benefits

Discuss any potential risks participants might face and how you plan to mitigate these risks. Additionally, outline the potential benefits of participating in the research.

While minimal, participants may experience discomfort discussing sensitive topics. To mitigate this, support services will be available, and participants can withdraw at any time without consequences.

The study aims to contribute valuable insights to the field of medicine, potentially improving healthcare practices and benefiting the wider community.

Research Approval and Compliance

Mention any ethical review boards or institutions where you’ll seek approval for conducting the research. Emphasize your commitment to complying with ethical guidelines and regulations.

The research protocol has been submitted to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for ethical approval. The study will adhere to the guidelines set by the IRB and relevant regulatory bodies.

Informed Consent with Vulnerable Groups

If involving vulnerable populations (such as minors, the elderly, or individuals with cognitive impairments), special considerations are taken to ensure their informed consent and well-being.

In cases involving minors, parental consent and assent from the child will be obtained. The research will be conducted in an age-appropriate and non-invasive manner.

Step 9: Expected Outcomes

Clearly articulate the expected outcomes of your research.

Explain how these outcomes will contribute to the field or address the research problem.

Step 10: Conclusion

Summarize the key points of your proposal.

Reinforce the significance of your research and its potential impact.

Step 11: References

Include a comprehensive list of all sources referenced in your proposal using the appropriate citation style.

Concluding Remarks on Crafting a Research Proposal

Crafting a research proposal demands meticulous attention and deliberate contemplation. Within this comprehensive guide on formulating a research proposal, we have encountered various challenges inherent in its composition. These challenges encompass:

• Understanding the research proposal 
• The basic elements of writing one 
• Quick tips for crafting a good research proposal 
• Ensuring a complete understanding of all the elements 

Moreover, a practical approach has been employed to efficiently understand how a beginner can get started with writing a research proposal. Such that he won’t have to search for how to write a research proposal again.

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Introduction to Writing a Research Proposal: Structure, Format & Examples

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A research paper proposal is a document that outlines the research project that a student or researcher intends to undertake. It is usually submitted to a supervisor or committee for approval before the actual study begins.

Whether you are a student completing an assignment or a researcher seeking grants, approval, or funding, knowing how to write a research proposal is an essential skill. This article discusses the basics of formulating effctive proposals and provides examples for reference. If you're struggling with your proposal, don't hesitate to seek assistance from a reliable paper writing service . Our professional writers are highly experienced in various academic fields and can provide you with top-quality, custom-written papers that meet your requirements.

What Is a Research Proposal: Definition

So, what is a research proposal paper? A research proposal is a thoughtful explanation of what your project will focus on and how you will conduct the involved activities. A proposal makes you consider what your study will entail, how you will gather data and analyze it, and why your topic is significant. Through writing a proposal, you can clarify your research objectives, identify potential obstacles, and ensure that your research paper is well-planned and feasible. Ultimately, a well-written research proposal serves as a roadmap for your research project and helps to convince others of the value of your study.

What Is the Purpose of a Research Proposal?

The primary purpose of a research proposal is to convince your audience that your project aligns with the course requirements, and is feasible within the constraints of resources and time.  Essentially, research proposals serve as persuasive pitches to specific individuals. If these individuals are not convinced, you may need to develop an alternative plan and resubmit, resulting in additional costs in terms of time and resources. This could lead to delays in carrying out your actual study or, worse still, exceeding the allocated time frame. Here is why it’s important to write a research proposal:

• Significance Shows an audience that this is an insightful research paper needed to solve a real-world problem.
• Background Indicates that you have looked extensively at other works in your field and know the issue you will be studying.
• Approach Describes the suitability of your selected methodology. This shows that you have carefully considered the required data for addressing your issue and how you will collect, treat, and interpret it.
• Practicability Shows your investigation is worth undertaking and can be achieved within the set period.

How Long Should a Research Proposal Be?

Proposals are normally between 500 and 1500 words, even though some institutions usually specify the required limit. It is rare for a comprehensive research paper proposal to exceed this span since most of them take up a maximum of three pages long, excluding citations. Nonetheless, larger works such as a Ph.D. dissertation may require more details and, thus, a thesis proposal can be more extended. Note that some disciplinary differences also affect an exact research proposal length. Thus, be sure to check your instructions.

Research Proposal Outline & Template Example

Developing a research topic proposal outline is a crucial step in planning and organizing a research project. It helps to identify the main components of the work, their coverage, and how they fit into the argument.  A well-structured research paper outline gives direction for your study, ensuring that all the necessary elements are included and in a logical order. A research paper proposal outline also gives you a good idea of the extent to which you can conceptualize and articulate your points. Keep in mind that you do not need to offer extensive details at this phase. Leave that for the next stage. Here is an example of a research proposal outline. Use it as a research proposal template to fill in your details as you write your work.

• Hypothesis/question
• Definition of major concepts
• Significance and contribution
• Implications
• Strategy, methods, and design
• Literature cited

Research Proposal Structure

Although the structure of a research proposal can vary depending on factors such as discipline, institution, and instructions, there are standard requirements that must be followed. Specific sections must be included in a particular order to ensure a logical flow of the proposal.  The primary parts of a research proposal include:

• Title page Your working title goes here. It highlights a project’s content and direction. Ensure it's narrow, concise, descriptive, catchy, and informative. Also include your name, field of study, date of publication, and institution.
• Introduction In an introduction to a research proposal, you explain what you are investigating and why. Be creative and relevant because this is your opening subsection, which makes it very important. Also, remember to tell your readers about the organization of your work.
• Background and significance Scientific research proposals must highlight what is already known about your topic from the literature. This is like a brief history of your theme concerning current trends and helps you establish a foundation for what you will explore.
• Literature review Writing a proposal also requires that you engage in a critical examination of prior articles related to your subject area to identify gaps in knowledge or unresolved issues.
• Design and methodology Your study proposal should also include a description of how you will collect data and test your hypothesis/question. Additionally, identify the design you will use, the procedures to be followed, and the adopted analysis techniques.
• Implications Offer a general discussion regarding how your work will extend existing knowledge or benefit the field.
• Conclusions Reinforce the importance of your proposed work and summarize the entire project.
• References You must also offer an accurate list of all sources used in your proposal paper. Use a specific layout based on your instructions.

Remember to use these headings to demonstrate where one can find specific information. Need help writing papers for college ? Don’t wait any longer! Ask our professional for assistance.

Things to Consider Before Writing a Research Proposal

When writing a topic proposal, it is essential to answer the questions "what," "why," and "how" regarding your research. The project must clearly outline the chosen research topic and its context.  Mere suggestion of a topic is not sufficient; you must also explain why it is unique and relevant. In other words, your proposal should address an original issue. Additionally, it is crucial to identify the gaps in existing knowledge that your research aims to fill and explain the potential significance and usefulness of your proposed topic. Elaborate on the practical aspects of your research topic. This involves describing the methods you will use to conduct your study, outlining the chosen research design , and identifying the resources available to you. Provide a transparent overview of your methodology and the design decisions relevant to your research.

How to Write a Research Proposal

Now that you are familiar with the nature of this work, able to develop an outline, and comprehend the structure, you can begin drafting your proposal. This can be a daunting task if you have no idea how to write a good research proposal.  Nevertheless, it becomes more manageable when you break it down into specific stages. In the following sections, you will find step-by-step instructions on preparing a proposal paper. By completing all phases explained below, you will gain a better understanding of how to write a proposal for a research paper or any other study.

1. Design a Research Proposal Title Page

The research proposal title page expresses your topic’s main message. The purpose of a cover page is to convey a statement of your subject concisely and identify who is responsible for the work. It is the first section of your paper, and it must be relevant, short, and precise.  In general, include your title, name, and affiliation of the principal investigator and assistants, your institutional affiliation and submission date. Look at this example of the title page for a research proposal formatted in APA style.

2. Write a Research Proposal Introduction

Your research proposal introduction is the initial pitch of your project. Therefore, use it to establish the scene and place your study in context. Design this part to attract readers’ interest regarding your theme and project by making them want to continue reading until the end.  Here is how to write an introduction for a research proposal. Start by presenting to your audience your intention, why the investigation should be conducted, your passion for the subject area, and trends related to your problem. Finally, identify your research question and hypothesis statement . If you do not have one, indicate the line of inquiry you will use in your investigation. Research proposal introduction example

3. Provide a Context

This is part of your research proposal where you describe the context of your work and its significance. For this section, assume that your audience has insufficient time but wants to understand the essence of your issue and the whole investigation. You should focus on eliciting interest in your project, not providing extensive descriptions. Therefore, as you write a proposal for a paper, provide the necessary background by explaining your topic’s importance and why it is essential to grasp the major elements of your research.  Highlight the historical basis from the literature that resulted in your theme and problem under investigation, and elaborate on your purpose. Also, explain your rationale and why it is meaningful to explore the problem. Identify your main ideas to be examined using statements or questions and stress how the analysis develops on existing views about your subject. Remember to establish the boundaries of your proposed inquiry, as this offers a clear focus. Example of research proposal background

4. Prepare a Literature Review

The literature review section is typically the lengthiest and most comprehensive part of your research proposal. It is closely linked to the background section and primarily aims to synthesize previous research relevant to your topic, situating your proposed study within a broader body of existing investigations. This highlights the originality of your project and its contribution to expanding existing knowledge. Given the abundance of information typically included in this section, it is important to structure it logically when writing your research proposal. This allows readers to easily comprehend the connections between your work and existing studies in the field. To ensure a coherent flow in your research proposal writing, it is recommended to use subheadings based on major themes. Keep in mind that accessing sources online has become increasingly convenient with current technological trends. However, it is crucial to select peer-reviewed and dependable papers mainly from major databases or your school library. While you can present the sources in a unique way, the following steps outline how to write a literature review for your research proposal:

• Provide context and explain its significance to your research topic.
• Identify major themes or concepts for the review.
• Summarize and synthesize existing literature for each theme, highlighting key findings, gaps, and inconsistencies.
• Critically evaluate the literature's strengths, limitations, and relevance to your study.
• Highlight key insights and explain how they inform your research question or hypothesis in the conclusion.

Example of how to discuss sources in a research proposal

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5. Describe Your Research Design and Methods

The objective of the design section of a research proposal is to persuade your audience that the overall analysis approach will address the issue under investigation correctly. You also must convince readers that your methodological selections are relevant to the specific subject matter. Remember that this part should be connected to your objectives and aims. After identifying the relevant independent and dependent variables and defining their relationship, the next step is to select and present your study design. Common study models in scientific research proposals include observational and experimental design . To select an appropriate study design, it is important to consider various criteria and carefully evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your preferred approach. Additionally, potential confounding variables associated with your decision should be taken into account.  Here is an example of how to write a proposal paper for this segment. Research design proposal example

Research Proposal Methods Section

The methods section of a research proposal outlines the techniques to be used for data collection, analyses, and tests to ensure the validity . To begin, develop a plan for executing your work and explain how you will interpret your results in accordance with the project's objectives. In this section, discuss the sources and practices that will be used to conduct the study. Identify key authors, manuscripts, databases, or locations that will be critical to the project. The aim is to establish and justify the methodology that will be used to achieve the research goals. Your choices will depend on the variables to be measured and how they are interrelated.  Popular techniques include conducting surveys and questionnaires. Remember to cite any literature used to clarify your choices. To gain more insight into how to write a methodology for a research proposal, consider the following example: Methods section of research proposal example

6. Emphasize Your Contribution to the Field

It is also a good idea to spell out how you expect your research project proposal will extend, revise, or improve existing knowledge in your field. In other words, discuss the implications of your project to readers. While predicting outcomes with certainty is challenging, aim to be clear about their scope and nature, as well as the individuals who will benefit from the research. Ensure that the contribution of your research project is directly related to your exploration aims. The impact of your study can be at the theoretical or practical level, or both. For instance, it could result in the development of a new data analysis technique or a deeper theoretical understanding. You should consider how your investigation will contribute to addressing issues in your field and what it will mean for others in your focus area. It is essential to explain these possibilities in your scientific proposal.  Nonetheless, you should be realistic when identifying your expected conclusions. Don’t promise things that cannot be achieved. Rather, reflect carefully on existing gaps and demonstrate the way your work will address some or all of the problems.  The sample below shows how to write a research proposal contribution section. Implications in research topic proposal example

7. Conclude Your Research Proposal

In the conclusion section, reiterate the importance of your research proposal and provide a brief summary of your entire work. This section should be concise and to-the-point.  Begin by discussing the reasons why your research is necessary. In other words, how is it unique, and how will it advance current views in the field? In the research proposal conclusion, it is vital to:

• State the purpose of the experiment and the questions to be answered.
• Explain the suitability of the chosen design and methods.
• Describe how the research fits into the broader field and anticipate the outcomes.
• Encourage feedback and engagement from the audience.
• Summarize the proposal's key points and emphasize its significance in advancing knowledge in the field.

Here is how to do a research proposal conclusion: Conclusion of a research paper proposal example

8. Make a Research Proposal Reference List

As with other scholarly tasks, writing a paper proposal also requires citing any sources used. A list of references contains all the literature quoted in your project’s body. Ensure that everything here also appears within your work’s content. As you write your research proposal, referring to original texts only is advisable as this helps you identify or avoid any errors.  Generally, mentioning citations demonstrates that you did an adequate level of initial investigation to ensure that your study will enhance past efforts. Remember to prepare this section based on the format specified in your task instructions.  Usually, this part is excluded from the word count of research projects proposals. Example of a research proposal references

9. Include a Budget

If you intend to conduct a simple study, you may not be required to include this section. Nevertheless, if you are seeking funding for your project, then it is essential to offer a detailed budget in your proposal showing the cost of each main segment. Start by predicting and determining the total of all aspects of your work and add extra allowances for unforeseen events, price increases, and delays. The major elements in your application will include equipment, personnel, supplies and materials, publication and printing, lease of facilities, travel, overhead, and extras. Remember to present how much money you need to complete the whole project, justify why those funds are necessary, and describe how you arrived at your final amount. Also, state your financial plan on a yearly basis and ensure to confirm the types of expenses your agency covers. This helps in focusing on relevant components only as you write a study proposal.

10. Proofread and Edit a Research Proposal Draft

Proofreading your proposal before delivering it is also vital, just like in other types of writing tasks. You can ask colleagues, friends, or even your supervisor to read your work and offer suggestions and feedback. This process acts as an error check system to help you improve your piece.  Remember that the intention of writing your research proposal is to ensure that it is not rejected because of simple mistakes that can be corrected easily. Even if you are an experienced scholar, you can make sentence, structural, grammatical, or stylistic errors when writing a proposal for a research paper. Therefore, editing boosts your approval chances by identifying faults and enhancing your compliance with the required academic format.

Research Proposal Format

Most institutions or agencies usually offer information on how to format a research proposal. Some may provide complete templates in a specific layout with instructions about section contents. The styles vary and include APA, Chicago, MLA, or Harvard. The format primarily depends on the subject. For instance, APA style paper is more common for social and natural science works. MLA paper format is often preferred for projects in humanities. Therefore, be sure that you read all the instructions about your task to understand a paper proposal format. If this is not stated explicitly, you may need to seek more information from any relevant department, agency, or supervisor. Don’t select any design unless a specific guideline permits you to do so.

Research Proposal Examples

There are countless examples of research proposals that you can find in your field or for your target publisher. Read them to get a good idea of what you should include in yours or which aspects readers want. Even though scientific research proposal examples will not show you all relevant things, considering several of them is helpful as you sharpen your writing skills for this type of work. Look at the following research paper proposal samples: Research proposal example 1

Proposal paper example 2

Research proposal sample 3

Research Proposal Writing Tips

To avoid having to revise your research proposal paper, it is essential to ensure that it is written in the correct format. Here are additional tips on how to write a great research proposal:

• Avoid overly tentative or hesitant language such as “it appears that…” etc. Rather, be confident with your statements such as “I argue that…”.
• Use subheadings and bullet lists to break up large sections of your proposal.
• Expect potential limitations of your project and address them directly to enhance it.
• Ensure readers can skim your paper easily by highlighting all major sections and restating key arguments. This guides them through your manuscript.
• Look for samples of other proposals in your study field and examine how they prepare their documents.

Research Proposal Checklist

Before submitting your paper, ensure that you have included all the relevant elements and offered enough details. Look at the following checklist on how to write a research proposal to make sure that you have complied with all requirements:

Bottom Line on How to Write a Research Proposal

The proposal phase is a critical aspect of the research process as it enables you to conduct thorough background research and planning before beginning your actual work. This article has provided a comprehensive overview of the basics and steps on how to write research proposals.  By reviewing all the sections in this guide, you should be able to explain what a research proposal is. Additionally, to reinforce your understanding of key concepts, free research proposal samples have been provided. It is highly recommended to review these examples and practice writing to solidify your comprehension of the material.  The next stage is crafting your study. Check this useful resource to see how to write a research paper .

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FAQ About Research Proposals

1. what makes a good research proposal.

A good research proposal should demonstrate that you are conversant with the relevant literature in your field and describe what you will do. An effective paper:

• Mentions specific aims.
• Is inventive and original.
• Has preliminary data.
• Explains your approach.
• Identifies your work’s importance concerning the specific problem.
• Describes its contribution to the wider literature and field of study.

3. What tense should I use when writing a research proposal?

Your research proposal comprises three central parts. They include an introduction, a literature review, and a methodology, respectively. Each one of them has several subheadings. However, write your first section in the present tense, the second one using the past tense, and apply the future tense in your last segment.

2. How to start a research proposal?

Begin a research proposal by selecting a topic before formulating a question or hypothesis or a working thesis. This part of the writing process is very important because it will assist you in developing a solid basis for your project. Thus, set aside sufficient time for this section.

4. How to write a research paper proposal?

Write a research paper proposal in an unbiased and formal tone, just like you do for other types of academic essays. It is also important to be precise by complying with the general framework of these kinds of papers. In particular, a proposal for a research paper should contain at least a title page, introduction, literature review, design and methods, and reference list. Your reader is aware of these elements and expects you to include them. Remember to present your work logically and clearly.

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• checkbox I have demonstrated the logical basis and feasibility of my work.
• checkbox I included a clear question or hypothesis and provided its proper context.
• checkbox I have justified my research topic proposal using the literature.
• checkbox My project informs readers how I will explore an issue.
• checkbox I have argued effectively in my research proposal why the study should be funded or approved.
• checkbox My work is well-written and in compliance with the guidelines and style of a successful academic essay.
• checkbox I have cited all the sources.

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Recent transformations in the IT curriculum focus more on first-year science courses. Researchers have done much work to assist in determining factors that predict success during this period. Nonetheless, most studies cannot validate their results because they lack an evaluation tool. The existing tools in this field are flawed, which makes them insufficient for assessing first-year IT courses. This research proposes to develop an evaluation instrument that can be administered to first-year IT students. Its validity and reliability will be considered. Developing this tool will allow the IT department to advance curriculum innovations for IT courses.

Read more: How to Start a Research Paper

Existing first-year IT curricula lack instructions regarding ways of implementing its guidelines and suggestions. This leaves departments to create individual approaches to course materials and develop curriculum tasks. However, when a new syllabus device is conceived, it is important to determine its effectiveness. Researchers examining new curriculum inventions use methods that consider exam scores, resignation percentages, course grades, or lab scores (Decker, 2012). However, these measures have been proven invalid and unreliable. Therefore, there is a need for a tool that can be used to evaluate how students comprehend the core IT material. This thesis aims to develop a validated and reliable evaluation tool to assess IT learners’ knowledge. Such a tool is unavailable currently because existing ones are designed for final-year students. Creating this tool will promote further experimentation as institutions develop this course.

Previous studies have described in detail how to teach introductory IT courses using diverse approaches (Owens et al., 2013, Evans, 2018). Other researchers highlight the importance of changing how students are taught IT due to learners being exposed to technology today (Soloway, 2012). They state that graphics and event-based approaches should be used to motivate IT students. These are among the numerous discussions in the literature. However, these studies lack empirical evidence to support the real effect of their approaches on introductory IT learning. This highlights a need for an accurate evaluation tool for IT courses during the first year of study.

The proposed study is based on a quantitative strategy with a focus on experimental design. The research will be conducted in phases starting with the process of producing an evaluation tool followed by its analysis, and lastly, testing to confirm its various parameters. These stages aim to ensure the generation of a reliable and valid product. Since human participants are involved at some stages, particularly during the testing part, seeking approval from the Institutional Review Board before commencing the inquiry is necessary.

For this study, a web-based survey will be developed. The participants include educators who are involved in advancing the IT curriculum. An invitation shall be sent to them asking for their voluntary involvement in evaluating the relevance of the instrument, as this aids in determining its validity. The survey contains two sets of questions. The first group focuses on gaining data about the types of units first-year IT students study and the involvement of educators in these courses. The next category acts as a follow-up of the first questions’ contents. Participants will offer their views about selected topics from the course.

This work aims to identify the relationship between the techniques for teaching IT. The findings will help teachers and researchers understand the basic skills required for first-year IT students regardless of the instruction approach. Besides, the development of a valid and reliable evaluation tool will enable course tutors to benchmark for units focusing on the effectiveness of various styles of IT instruction. Teachers can use the instrument to examine whether a specific teaching method enhances IT student performance. This will, in turn, allow them to know which tactics are good and which ones are inadequate. The poor techniques can then be reassessed and enhanced.

My proposed study is important and original because it will enhance the teaching of first-year IT courses in higher education institutions. The investigation particularly seeks to demonstrate the importance of using valid and reliable tools when developing a curriculum. Existing instruments are not supported by scientific evidence, differ in which factors they consider, and are mostly meant for final-year students. Thus, there is a need to create one to help tutors design appropriate instruction techniques for first-year students. The development of the tool will also enable educators and institutions to improve inadequate techniques.

View more: How to Write  Conclusion in Research Paper

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Academic Proposals

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This resource introduces the genre of academic proposals and provides strategies for developing effective graduate-level proposals across multiple contexts.

Introduction

An important part of the work completed in academia is sharing our scholarship with others. Such communication takes place when we present at scholarly conferences, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and publish in books. This OWL resource addresses the steps in writing for a variety of academic proposals.

For samples of academic proposals, click here .

Important considerations for the writing process

First and foremost, you need to consider your future audience carefully in order to determine both how specific your topic can be and how much background information you need to provide in your proposal. While some conferences and journals may be subject-specific, most will require you to address an audience that does not conduct research on the same topics as you. Conference proposal reviewers are often drawn from professional organization members or other attendees, while journal proposals are typically reviewed by the editorial staff, so you need to ensure that your proposal is geared toward the knowledge base and expectations of whichever audience will read your work.

Along those lines, you might want to check whether you are basing your research on specific prior research and terminology that requires further explanation. As a rule, always phrase your proposal clearly and specifically, avoid over-the-top phrasing and jargon, but do not negate your own personal writing style in the process.

If you would like to add a quotation to your proposal, you are not required to provide a citation or footnote of the source, although it is generally preferred to mention the author’s name. Always put quotes in quotation marks and take care to limit yourself to at most one or two quotations in the entire proposal text. Furthermore, you should always proofread your proposal carefully and check whether you have integrated details, such as author’s name, the correct number of words, year of publication, etc. correctly.

Methodology is often a key factor in the evaluation of proposals for any academic genre — but most proposals have such a small word limit that writers find it difficult to adequately include methods while also discussing their argument, background for the study, results, and contributions to knowledge. It's important to make sure that you include some information about the methods used in your study, even if it's just a line or two; if your proposal isn't experimental in nature, this space should instead describe the theory, lens, or approach you are taking to arrive at your conclusions.

Reasons proposals fail/common pitfalls

There are common pitfalls that you might need to improve on for future proposals.

The proposal does not reflect your enthusiasm and persuasiveness, which usually goes hand in hand with hastily written, simply worded proposals. Generally, the better your research has been, the more familiar you are with the subject and the more smoothly your proposal will come together.

Similarly, proposing a topic that is too broad can harm your chances of being accepted to a conference. Be sure to have a clear focus in your proposal. Usually, this can be avoided by more advanced research to determine what has already been done, especially if the proposal is judged by an important scholar in the field. Check the names of keynote speakers and other attendees of note to avoid repeating known information or not focusing your proposal.

Your paper might simply have lacked the clear language that proposals should contain. On this linguistic level, your proposal might have sounded repetitious, have had boring wording, or simply displayed carelessness and a lack of proofreading, all of which can be remedied by more revisions. One key tactic for ensuring you have clear language in your proposal is signposting — you can pick up key phrases from the CFP, as well as use language that indicates different sections in academic work (as in IMRAD sections from the organization and structure page in this resource). This way, reviewers can easily follow your proposal and identify its relatedness to work in the field and the CFP.

Conference proposals

Conference proposals are a common genre in graduate school that invite several considerations for writing depending on the conference and requirements of the call for papers.

Beginning the process

Make sure you read the call for papers carefully to consider the deadline and orient your topic of presentation around the buzzwords and themes listed in the document. You should take special note of the deadline and submit prior to that date, as most conferences use online submission systems that will close on a deadline and will not accept further submissions.

If you have previously spoken on or submitted a proposal on the same topic, you should carefully adjust it specifically for this conference or even completely rewrite the proposal based on your changing and evolving research.

The topic you are proposing should be one that you can cover easily within a time frame of approximately fifteen to twenty minutes. You should stick to the required word limit of the conference call. The organizers have to read a large number of proposals, especially in the case of an international or interdisciplinary conference, and will appreciate your brevity.

Structure and components

Conference proposals differ widely across fields and even among individual conferences in a field. Some just request an abstract, which is written similarly to any other abstract you'd write for a journal article or other publication. Some may request abstracts or full papers that fit into pre-existing sessions created by conference organizers. Some request both an abstract and a further description or proposal, usually in cases where the abstract will be published in the conference program and the proposal helps organizers decide which papers they will accept. 

If the conference you are submitting to requires a proposal or description, there are some common elements you'll usually need to include. These are a statement of the problem or topic, a discussion of your approach to the problem/topic, a discussion of findings or expected findings, and a discussion of key takeaways or relevance to audience members. These elements are typically given in this order and loosely follow the IMRAD structure discussed in the organization and structure page in this resource. 

The proportional size of each of these elements in relation to one another tends to vary by the stage of your research and the relationship of your topic to the field of the conference. If your research is very early on, you may spend almost no time on findings, because you don't have them yet. Similarly, if your topic is a regular feature at conferences in your field, you may not need to spend as much time introducing it or explaining its relevance to the field; however, if you are working on a newer topic or bringing in a topic or problem from another discipline, you may need to spend slightly more space explaining it to reviewers. These decisions should usually be based on an analysis of your audience — what information can reviewers be reasonably expected to know, and what will you have to tell them?

Journal Proposals

Most of the time, when you submit an article to a journal for publication, you'll submit a finished manuscript which contains an abstract, the text of the article, the bibliography, any appendices, and author bios. These can be on any topic that relates to the journal's scope of interest, and they are accepted year-round.

Special issues , however, are planned issues of a journal that center around a specific theme, usually a "hot topic" in the field. The editor or guest editors for the special issue will often solicit proposals with a call for papers (CFP) first, accept a certain number of proposals for further development into article manuscripts, and then accept the final articles for the special issue from that smaller pool. Special issues are typically the only time when you will need to submit a proposal to write a journal article, rather than submitting a completed manuscript.

Journal proposals share many qualities with conference proposals: you need to write for your audience, convey the significance of your work, and condense the various sections of a full study into a small word or page limit. In general, the necessary components of a proposal include:

• Problem or topic statement that defines the subject of your work (often includes research questions)
• Background information (think literature review) that indicates the topic's importance in your field as well as indicates that your research adds something to the scholarship on this topic
• Methodology and methods used in the study (and an indication of why these methods are the correct ones for your research questions)
• Results or findings (which can be tentative or preliminary, if the study has not yet been completed)
• Significance and implications of the study (what will readers learn? why should they care?)

This order is a common one because it loosely follows the IMRAD (introduction, methods, results and discussion) structure often used in academic writing; however, it is not the only possible structure or even always the best structure. You may need to move these elements around depending on the expectations in your field, the word or page limit, or the instructions given in the CFP.

Some of the unique considerations of journal proposals are:

• The CFP may ask you for an abstract, a proposal, or both. If you need to write an abstract, look for more information on the abstract page. If you need to write both an abstract and a proposal, make sure to clarify for yourself what the difference is. Usually the proposal needs to include more information about the significance, methods, and/or background of the study than will fit in the abstract, but often the CFP itself will give you some instructions as to what information the editors are wanting in each piece of writing.
• Journal special issue CFPs, like conference CFPs, often include a list of topics or questions that describe the scope of the special issue. These questions or topics are a good starting place for generating a proposal or tying in your research; ensuring that your work is a good fit for the special issue and articulating why that is in the proposal increases your chances of being accepted.
• Special issues are not less valuable or important than regularly scheduled issues; therefore, your proposal needs to show that your work fits and could readily be accepted in any other issue of the journal. This means following some of the same practices you would if you were preparing to submit a manuscript to a journal: reading the journal's author submission guidelines; reading the last several years of the journal to understand the usual topics, organization, and methods; citing pieces from this journal and other closely related journals in your research.

Book Proposals

While the requirements are very similar to those of conference proposals, proposals for a book ought to address a few other issues.

General considerations

Since these proposals are of greater length, the publisher will require you to delve into greater detail as well—for instance, regarding the organization of the proposed book or article.

Publishers generally require a clear outline of the chapters you are proposing and an explication of their content, which can be several pages long in its entirety.

You will need to incorporate knowledge of relevant literature, use headings and sub-headings that you should not use in conference proposals. Be sure to know who wrote what about your topic and area of interest, even if you are proposing a less scholarly project.

Publishers prefer depth rather than width when it comes to your topic, so you should be as focused as possible and further outline your intended audience.

You should always include information regarding your proposed deadlines for the project and how you will execute this plan, especially in the sciences. Potential investors or publishers need to know that you have a clear and efficient plan to accomplish your proposed goals. Depending on the subject area, this information can also include a proposed budget, materials or machines required to execute this project, and information about its industrial application.

Pre-writing strategies

As John Boswell (cited in: Larsen, Michael. How to Write a Book Proposal. Writers Digest Books , 2004. p. 1) explains, “today fully 90 percent of all nonfiction books sold to trade publishers are acquired on the basis of a proposal alone.” Therefore, editors and agents generally do not accept completed manuscripts for publication, as these “cannot (be) put into the usual channels for making a sale”, since they “lack answers to questions of marketing, competition, and production.” (Lyon, Elizabeth. Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write . Perigee Trade, 2002. pp. 6-7.)

In contrast to conference or, to a lesser degree, chapter proposals, a book proposal introduces your qualifications for writing it and compares your work to what others have done or failed to address in the past.

As a result, you should test the idea with your networks and, if possible, acquire other people’s proposals that discuss similar issues or have a similar format before submitting your proposal. Prior to your submission, it is recommended that you write at least part of the manuscript in addition to checking the competition and reading all about the topic.

The following is a list of questions to ask yourself before committing to a book project, but should in no way deter you from taking on a challenging project (adapted from Lyon 27). Depending on your field of study, some of these might be more relevant to you than others, but nonetheless useful to reiterate and pose to yourself.

• Do you have sufficient enthusiasm for a project that may span years?
• Will publication of your book satisfy your long-term career goals?
• Do you have enough material for such a long project and do you have the background knowledge and qualifications required for it?
• Is your book idea better than or different from other books on the subject? Does the idea spark enthusiasm not just in yourself but others in your field, friends, or prospective readers?
• Are you willing to acquire any lacking skills, such as, writing style, specific terminology and knowledge on that field for this project? Will it fit into your career and life at the time or will you not have the time to engage in such extensive research?

Essential elements of a book proposal

Your book proposal should include the following elements:

• Your proposal requires the consideration of the timing and potential for sale as well as its potential for subsidiary rights.
• It needs to include an outline of approximately one paragraph to one page of prose (Larsen 6) as well as one sample chapter to showcase the style and quality of your writing.
• You should also include the resources you need for the completion of the book and a biographical statement (“About the Author”).
• Your proposal must contain your credentials and expertise, preferably from previous publications on similar issues.
• A book proposal also provides you with the opportunity to include information such as a mission statement, a foreword by another authority, or special features—for instance, humor, anecdotes, illustrations, sidebars, etc.
• You must assess your ability to promote the book and know the market that you target in all its statistics.

The following proposal structure, as outlined by Peter E. Dunn for thesis and fellowship proposals, provides a useful guide to composing such a long proposal (Dunn, Peter E. “Proposal Writing.” Center for Instructional Excellence, Purdue University, 2007):

• Literature Review
• Identification of Problem
• Statement of Objectives
• Rationale and Significance
• Methods and Timeline
• Literature Cited

Most proposals for manuscripts range from thirty to fifty pages and, apart from the subject hook, book information (length, title, selling handle), markets for your book, and the section about the author, all the other sections are optional. Always anticipate and answer as many questions by editors as possible, however.

Finally, include the best chapter possible to represent your book's focus and style. Until an agent or editor advises you to do otherwise, follow your book proposal exactly without including something that you might not want to be part of the book or improvise on possible expected recommendations.

Publishers expect to acquire the book's primary rights, so that they can sell it in an adapted or condensed form as well. Mentioning any subsidiary rights, such as translation opportunities, performance and merchandising rights, or first-serial rights, will add to the editor's interest in buying your book. It is enticing to publishers to mention your manuscript's potential to turn into a series of books, although they might still hesitate to buy it right away—at least until the first one has been a successful endeavor.

The sample chapter

Since editors generally expect to see about one-tenth of a book, your sample chapter's length should reflect that in these building blocks of your book. The chapter should reflect your excitement and the freshness of the idea as well as surprise editors, but do not submit part of one or more chapters. Always send a chapter unless your credentials are impeccable due to prior publications on the subject. Do not repeat information in the sample chapter that will be covered by preceding or following ones, as the outline should be designed in such a way as to enable editors to understand the context already.

How to make your proposal stand out

Depending on the subject of your book, it is advisable to include illustrations that exemplify your vision of the book and can be included in the sample chapter. While these can make the book more expensive, it also increases the salability of the project. Further, you might consider including outstanding samples of your published work, such as clips from periodicals, if they are well-respected in the field. Thirdly, cover art can give your potential publisher a feel for your book and its marketability, especially if your topic is creative or related to the arts.

In addition, professionally formatting your materials will give you an edge over sloppy proposals. Proofread the materials carefully, use consistent and carefully organized fonts, spacing, etc., and submit your proposal without staples; rather, submit it in a neat portfolio that allows easy access and reassembling. However, check the submission guidelines first, as most proposals are submitted digitally. Finally, you should try to surprise editors and attract their attention. Your hook, however, should be imaginative but inexpensive (you do not want to bribe them, after all). Make sure your hook draws the editors to your book proposal immediately (Adapted from Larsen 154-60).

Proposal Preparation and Submission

About proposal preparation and submission, proposal submission capabilities, letter of intent faqs, preliminary proposals, collaborative proposals, uploading documents, proposal sections, proposal submission, proposal withdrawal, grants.gov submitted proposals.

• In Progress Statuses
• Submitted Statuses
• PFU/BR Statuses

Access and User Roles

Demo site features, video tutorials, how-to guides, links to resources.

The Research.gov Proposal Submission System modernizes proposal preparation and submission capabilities by improving the user experience while also reducing administrative burden through an intuitive interface and expanded automated proposal compliance checking. NSF has transitioned all preparation and submission functionality from FastLane to Research.gov, and FastLane proposal preparation and submission functions were fully decommissioned on September 30, 2023. Please see the FastLane Decommissioning page for additional information. All NSF proposals must be submitted in Research.gov or Grants.gov in accordance with the instructions for a specific funding opportunity.

Proposals submitted via Grants.gov are processed in Research.gov. See the Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov page and Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov how-to guide for additional information. When submitting via Grants.gov, NSF strongly recommends proposers initiate proposal submission at least five business days in advance of a deadline to allow adequate time to address NSF compliance errors and resubmissions by 5:00 p.m. submitting organization’s local time on the deadline. Please note that some errors cannot be corrected in Grants.gov. Once a proposal passes pre-checks but fails any post-check, the proposer can only correct and submit the in-progress proposal in Research.gov.

Access the Research.gov Proposal Submission System

Explore the Research.gov Proposal Preparation Demo Site (User prompted to sign in to Research.gov if not already signed in.)

Research.gov Proposal Preparation Benefits

• Fast and easy proposal setup wizard to find funding opportunities and initiate a proposal
• Quick process to share proposal access with administrative staff. Expanded compliance checking ( View Research.gov compliance checks  )
• Expanded compliance checking ( View Research.gov compliance checks )
• Immediate compliance feedback in each proposal section
• Unaltered PDF uploads
• Minimized return without review of proposals due to compliance issues
• On-screen references to relevant sections of the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
• Better management of personnel and subawards
• Improved performance and less system downtime

Help NSF Continue to Refine the Research.gov Proposal Submission System

NSF wants your feedback! Vital feedback from the community helps ensure the system is working as intended and to identify areas of improvement.

Ways to provide feedback and stay informed:

• Send feedback to NSF via the Research.gov's Feedback page
• Join the NSF System Updates listserv! Sign up to receive Research.gov updates by sending a blank email to  [email protected]

Contacts for Questions

• For program-specific questions, please contact the cognizant NSF Program Officer
• Email the NSF IT Service Desk at [email protected]
• Call the NSF IT Service Desk at 1-800-381-1532
• Email the NIH Help Desk at  [email protected]
• Create a ticket:   https://support.nlm.nih.gov/support/create-case/
• Policy-related questions should be directed to  [email protected]
• This table will be updated as additional capabilities are added.
• Unless otherwise specified in an NSF solicitation, proposals to NSF may be submitted via Grants.gov or Research.gov. See the Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov page for information about Grants.gov submissions.
• NSF wants feedback from the research community about the Research.gov Proposal Submission System so NSF can continue to make improvements. Feedback may be submitted on the Research.gov Feedback page.
• Additional information about the Research.gov Proposal Submission System and the Research.gov proposal preparation demo site, such as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) by topic, is available on the Research.gov About Proposal Preparation and Submission page.
• Please see the Research.gov About Supplemental Funding Requests Preparation and Submission page for FAQs about preparation and submission of supplemental funding requests in Research.gov as well as information on the Research.gov supplemental funding request demo site. Supplemental funding requests can be submitted in Research.gov regardless of the system used (Research.gov, FastLane, or Grants.gov) for proposal submission.

Letter of Intent FAQs  

  Who can initiate and submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) in Research.gov?

A user with the Principal Investigator (PI), Sponsored Project Officer (SPO), or Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) role can initiate and submit an LOI in Research.gov. For a funding opportunity that requires AOR submission, the PI or SPO must share the LOI with the AOR. LOIs must be prepared and submitted in Research.gov and cannot be prepared and submitted in Grants.gov.

  How do I associate my LOI to my full proposal?

For solicitations that require or request submission of an LOI, there is a field on the full proposal Cover Sheet labeled Letter of Intent ID Number. Enter your LOI number in this field and then save the Cover Sheet. A green confirmation message will display and will include your LOI title below the LOI ID number field. Additionally, there will be a blue information message at the top of the full proposal Cover Sheet confirming the successful association of your LOI and your full proposal. If the LOI ID number you entered is invalid or is for an LOI for which you do not have access, you will receive an error message and the LOI will not be associated to your full proposal.

  Will I be required to associate my LOI to my full proposal in Research.gov when the solicitation requires the submission of an LOI?

Yes. Follow the solicitation requirements and enter the LOI number on the full proposal Cover Sheet. Although the system allows this entry to be optional, the cognizant Program Office will verify compliance of the submitted full proposal with the solicitation.

  How do I remove an LOI number that is associated with a full proposal?

To remove an LOI number that is associated with a full proposal, go to the full proposal Cover Sheet, clear the Letter of Intent Number field, and then save the Cover Sheet.

  When associating an LOI to a full proposal, what is considered a valid LOI?

A valid LOI must meet the following criteria:

• Exists in the user's Submitted LOI list
• Is not associated with another submitted full proposal
• Belongs to the same organization as the full proposal
• Was created using the same solicitation as the full proposal

  What information does Research.gov require for an LOI?

Research.gov will require that each LOI has an LOI Title, a Project Synopsis, and an associated PI.

The following LOI attributes are solicitation-dependent:

• Number of Senior Personnel
• Number of Participating Organizations
• Organization and Project Information
• Additional information permitted in the Other Comments section

  Can an LOI be associated to a collaborative proposal in Research.gov?

Yes, an LOI can be associated to a single submission collaborative proposal with subaward or to a lead organization proposal that is part of a separately submitted collaborative proposal from multiple organizations. An LOI cannot be associated with a non-lead organization separately submitted collaborative proposal.

Proposal FAQs  

  What is a proposal Temporary ID Number?

A proposal Temporary ID Number is a unique identifier that is generated by the system to keep track of and manage proposals before they are submitted. Once submitted to NSF, proposals are assigned permanent proposal IDs. The Temporary ID Number is also used by lead and non-lead organizations to link separately submitted collaborative proposals from multiple organizations.

  What is the PAPPG?

The Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide     (PAPPG) is comprised of documents relating to the Foundation's proposal and award process for the assistance programs of NSF. The policy and procedural guidance contained in Part I of the PAPPG pertains to proposals submitted via the NSF Research.gov system. Relevant PAPPG sections are linked to within each proposal section in Research.gov to assist proposal preparers.

  What is the difference between a compliance “Error” and a “Warning”?

Automated proposal compliance checks triggering an error message will stop proposal submission to NSF, whereas checks triggering a warning message will still allow proposal submission. Expanded compliance checking in Research.gov helps to reduce administrative burden for the research community and NSF staff, as well as minimizes the return without review of proposals. Research.gov performs automated compliance checks on full proposals, renewal proposals, accomplishment-based renewal proposals, preliminary proposals, LOIs and supplemental funding requests. Refer to the Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals    page for the current automated proposal checks. Proposers who receive a compliance error or warning message should check the Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals    page and the solicitation for specific proposal requirements. Proposers should also review the topic-specific FAQs on the Research.gov About Proposal Preparation and Submission page. For example, the Uploading Documents FAQ topic includes document formatting FAQs, and the Proposal Sections FAQ topic includes Cover Sheet and budget FAQs.

  How can I view the proposal "Error" and "Warning" messages? 

The Proposal Actions section on the proposal main page has a new Check Error(s) and Warning(s) button. After clicking this button, the Check Error(s) and Warning(s) page will display to show the identified automated compliance error and warning messages for the proposal. Individuals with a PI, co-PI, SPO, AOR, or Other Authorized User (OAU) role on the proposal can view the error and warning messages for the proposal. If there are no errors or warnings, this page will display a green success message. Please refer to the Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals    page for a listing of the current compliance checks.

  Can a PI be swapped with any co-PI on an in-progress proposal? 

No, PI/co-PI swaps can only be done on an in-progress proposal when the PI and co-PI are from the same organization. If the Change Role option is not clickable in Research.gov, it means that the option is disabled for the specified individual. If the Change Role option is not clickable and users see a red X, it means that the PI role cannot be changed because there are no other co-PIs from the same organization on the proposal.

  I initiated a proposal as a PI but now I want to assign myself as a co-PI and assign a different individual as the PI on the proposal. How do I make this swap? 

The prime organization can swap an individual with a PI role on an in-progress proposal or proposal file update with an individual with a co-PI role on the in-proposal proposal or proposal file update provided that the individuals are affiliated with the same prime organization. To initiate the swap, the PI or co-PI navigates to the Manage Personnel (Prime Organization) page and clicks the Change Role link in the Proposal Actions column. The Change Role link for the PI will be enabled only if there is a co-PI listed in the prime organization's personnel list. The Change Role link for the co-PI will be enabled only if the PI on the proposal is from the same prime organization. After successfully swapping the PI and co-PI on the in-progress proposal or proposal file update, a green success message will display, and an email notification will be sent to the PI, co-PI(s), and OAU(s) associated with the proposal.

  Can an individual from a subrecipient organization be added to a proposal as a co-PI? 

An individual from a subrecipient organization with a UEI from SAM but not registered in SAM cannot be added to a proposal as a co-PI but can be added as Senior Personnel.

  Can an individual be added to a proposal more than once? 

No, an individual cannot be added to a proposal more than once. For example, an individual cannot be added on a proposal as Senior Personnel and also as an OAU. Also, an individual cannot be added as Senior Personnel on a proposal for more than one organization, such as adding someone as a co-PI for the prime organization and adding the same person as Senior Personnel for a subrecipient organization.

  I am using Chrome and trying to download the PDF of my proposal but I am encountering an error. What can I do?

Individuals who are using Chrome will encounter a networking error when attempting to use the download file functionality. NSF recommends clicking on the Print icon and Save as PDF or using a different browser.

  What happens to an in-progress proposal if the funding opportunity selected for the proposal has expired? 

An in-progress proposal (i.e., letter of intent, preliminary proposal, or full proposal) in response to a funding opportunity that has expired cannot be edited or submitted in Research.gov. A new proposal with an active funding opportunity must be created in order to submit. Please contact the NSF IT Service Desk at 1-800-381-1532 (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM ET; Monday - Friday except federal holidays) or via email to [email protected] if you need further assistance.

  Can I delete or withdraw a submitted proposal?

Submitted proposals cannot be deleted but they can be withdrawn from NSF. To initiate a proposal withdrawal, the PI, SPO, or AOR can navigate to their Submitted Proposals list, select the appropriate proposal for withdrawal, and click on the Withdraw Proposal button in the Proposal Actions section of the proposal main page. For more information, see the Proposal Withdrawal FAQ topic . An Ideas Lab preliminary proposal cannot be withdrawn.

Accessing the Research.gov Proposal Submission System

  How do I access the Research.gov Proposal Submission System?

To access the Research.gov Proposal Submission System:

• Open Research.gov and select Sign In at the top of the page
• After entering credentials, you will be navigated to the Research.gov homepage.
• Click the Prepare and Submit Proposals link under Proposals.
• Click Continue to Proposal System after reviewing the modal message and then you will be on the proposal preparation landing page.

  Can InCommon access login credentials be used for a user to access the Research.gov Proposal Submission System? 

Yes, InCommon access login credentials can be used. From the Research.gov Sign In page, select your organization from the organization drop-down menu to be taken to the InCommon Log In page for your organization. (Note: Only InCommon Federation participants can use their organization-issued credentials to sign in to Research.gov. If you are signing in with your organization-issued credentials, you will be prompted to link your credentials to your NSF ID if they are not already linked.)

  Can Login.gov credentials be used to access the Research.gov Proposal Submission System? 

Yes, Login.gov credentials can be used. After entering your Login.gov credentials on the Research.gov Sign In page, you will be prompted to link your Login.gov credentials to your NSF ID if they are not already linked.

Permissions

  What permissions does an SPO have?

An SPO is able to review and edit proposals, proposal file updates, and revised budgets after the proposal's PI or co-PI shares proposal access. The SPO can also initiate LOIs and proposal withdrawal requests for approval and submission by the AOR.

  What permissions does an AOR have?

An AOR is authorized to sign on behalf of the proposing organization. The AOR is able to view, edit, and submit proposals after they are shared with the AOR by the proposal's PI or co-PI. The AOR can initiate and submit LOIs and proposal withdrawals. In addition, the AOR reviews LOIs and proposal withdrawal requests initiated by PIs and SPOs and submits the approved LOIs and withdrawals to NSF. The AOR also submits the Current and Pending (Other) Support update requested by the Program Officer.

  Can individuals with other user roles (e.g., SPO or AOR) initiate proposals in Research.gov?

Only a PI can initiate a proposal in Research.gov; however, individuals with other roles (e.g., SPO, AOR, and OAU) who are granted access to the proposal by the PI will be able to prepare and edit the proposal.

  How does a PI or co-PI provide the SPO/AOR access to a proposal?

A PI or co-PI can share a proposal with the SPO/AOR even before required proposal data is entered or uploaded and sections are completed. On the proposal main page, select Share Proposal with SPO/AOR and then select the type of access to provide the SPO/AOR: No access, View-only access, Edit access, or Edit access with Allow proposal submission (AOR only). The Allow proposal submission (AOR only) checkbox is automatically checked as the default when the Edit access radio button is selected. However, it is possible for the PI or co-PI to remove the check from the Allow proposal submission (AOR) checkbox and then add it again for proposal submission.

  As a user with the Other Authorized User (OAU) role, am I required to have any additional organization-approved roles to assist with preparing proposals in Research.gov?

No,users with the OAU role can assist with proposal preparation in Research.gov without being required to also have another organization-approved role (e.g., View Only role). Users with the OAU role can assist with preparing proposals already created by selecting the Work with In Progress link under In Progress on the proposal preparation landing page

Users without the OAU role can request this role from their organization by following the instructions in the Add a New Organizational Role section  of the Account Management Guide.

  Can Other Senior Personnel view, access, or edit proposals in Research.gov?

No, individuals added to a Research.gov proposal as Other Senior Personnel cannot view, access, or edit the proposal.

Renewals and Accomplishment-Based Renewal Proposals

  Why is my previous award number not listed in the Previous Awards(s) dropdown in Step 4 (Proposal Details) of the proposal setup wizard?

A previous award will not be reflected in the Previous Awards(s) dropdown in Step 4 (Proposal Details) of the proposal setup wizard if any of the following scenarios is valid:

• The previous award was made as a result of submission of a RAISE, Ideas Lab, or Equipment proposal in Research.gov or in FastLane.
• You were not the PI or a co-PI on the previous award.
• The previous award was an accomplishment-based renewal.
• Your organization differs from the organization on the previous award.

If you believe your previous award is missing in error, contact the NSF IT Service Desk at 1 (800) 381-1532 (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM ET; Monday - Friday except federal holidays) or  [email protected]

  How can I renew my Planning, RAPID, or EAGER award?

Renewed funding of Planning, RAPID, or EAGER awards must be submitted as a Research proposal type. To renew a Planning, RAPID, or EAGER award, select the Research proposal type during Step 3 (Proposal Type) of the proposal setup wizard when initiating your renewal proposal.

  How can I renew my Center or Research Infrastructure award?

To renew a Center award, prepare a renewal or accomplishment-based renewal proposal. For the proposal type, select the Center or Research Infrastructure proposal type during Step 3. (Proposal Type) of the proposal setup wizard.

To renew a Research Infrastructure award, prepare a renewal or accomplishment-based renewal proposal. For the proposal type, select the Research Infrastructure proposal type during Step 3 (Proposal Type) of the proposal preparation setup wizard.

Please see PAPPG, Chapter V    for additional information about renewal proposals.

  What if my previous award was from a proposal submitted in FastLane?

Previous awards from proposals submitted in both FastLane and Research.gov are reflected in the Research.gov Previous Award(s) dropdown in proposal setup wizard Step 4 (Proposal Details); however, please refer to the earlier FAQ regarding reasons your previous award may not be listed. See PAPPG, Chapter V    for additional information about renewal proposals.

Managing Where to Apply and Secondary Units of Consideration

  How do I determine the directorate/office and division of the program I want to apply to?

On NSF.gov    you can find a list of all directorates/offices and divisions under Find Funding & Apply    on the top menu bar. Go to the By Directorate option under Explore funding to view all programs associated with a particular directorate, office, or division. NSF's Funding Search also allows you to explore funding opportunities by keyword, eligibility and other criteria.

  When creating a new proposal, can multiple programs be selected?

Step 2 (Where to Apply) in the proposal setup wizard will display one or multiple programs, depending on the selected funding opportunity. You can only select one program on Step 2. Once the proposal is created, you may add additional programs by clicking the link labeled "Manage Where to Apply" if allowable for your type of proposal.

  How can I determine in Research.gov whether a particular program is identified in the selected funding opportunity?

In the proposal setup wizard, only the programs identified in the selected funding opportunity will display in Step 2 (Where to Apply). After the proposal is created, lead collaborative and single submission proposers can navigate to the Manage Where to Apply page from the proposal main page Manage Where to Apply link and select the Limit selections to those identified in the funding opportunity checkbox to view relevant programs.

  At what point during proposal preparation can additional programs be added to the proposal?

Programs related to the selected funding opportunity will display as options and can be added to the proposal in Step 2 Where to Apply of the proposal setup wizard. After the proposal is created, the Manage Where to Apply link will display on the proposal main page in single submission proposals and lead collaborative proposals for the following proposal types: Research, Planning, RAISE, RAPID, EAGER, GOALI, FASED, Ideas Lab, Conference, Equipment, Travel, Center, Research Infrastructure, SBIR, and STTR. Clicking the Manage Where to Apply link opens the Manage Where to Apply page where programs related to the selected funding opportunity and programs not related to the funding opportunity can be added or removed. The Manage Where to Apply link will display for in-progress proposals only. Programs cannot be updated during a proposal file update/budget revision. The Manage Where to Apply link will not be available on the proposal main page for postdoctoral fellowship proposals.

  I have started my proposal but have selected the incorrect division and program for the funding opportunity. How can I update that?

After the proposal is created, a Manage Where to Apply link will display on the proposal main page in single submission proposals and lead collaborative proposals for the following proposal types: Research, Planning, RAISE, RAPID, EAGER, GOALI, FASED, Ideas Lab, Conference, Equipment, Travel, Center, Research Infrastructure, SBIR, and STTR. Click the Manage Where to Apply link on the proposal main page. (The link does not appear if Where to Apply cannot be changed.) Follow the Manage Where to Apply page instructions to add, delete, or change order of importance. The ability to make changes is based on the proposal type and funding opportunity selected when the proposal was initiated. Most funding opportunities have one primary program for Where to Apply which cannot be changed. However, many funding opportunities allow you to add program selections and set the order of importance.

Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI)

  Can GOALI proposals be prepared and submitted via Grants.gov?

GOALI proposals can be submitted via Grants.gov but must be completed or updated in Research.gov. See the Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov page and Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov how-to guide for more information.

  What permissions does the Industrial co-PI have in the preparation of a GOALI proposal?

The Industrial co-PI will have the same permissions in a GOALI proposal as a regular co-PI has after being added to the proposal, including the ability to view and edit the proposal.

  Are there any differences in the budget amount that an Industrial co-PI can request versus a regular co-PI?

In accordance with the PAPPG, industrial participants can request and receive funds from NSF if they are included as Industrial co-PIs in a small business partner subaward organization. An Industrial co-PI added to a GOALI proposal will be listed on the budget page for the small business partner subaward organization, as well as on any Individual Year and Cumulative Budget PDFs of the small business partner subaward organization. If an Industrial co-PI is added to a GOALI proposal in the prime organization or in another subaward organization which is not a small business partner subaward organization, that Industrial co-PI will not display on any budget page nor on any Individual Year and Cumulative Budget PDFs. Refer to PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.g    and Chapter II.F.5    for additional information.

  Is an Industrial co-PI required to obtain an NSF ID and the Investigator role?

Yes, in order for an industrial participant to be added to a GOALI proposal as an Industrial co-PI, the individual must first have an NSF ID and an Investigator role in the NSF Account Management System. All co-PIs have these account management requirements. Refer to the Research.gov About Account Management page for additional information and resources such as the Register for an NSF Account    and the Add a New Organization-Approved Role - Principal Investigator PI/co-PI sections of the Account Management Guide.

  Can an Industrial co-PI change roles to become a regular co-PI and vice versa on a GOALI proposal?

Yes. From the Manage Personnel page, there is a Change Role action that allows for an Industrial co-PI to convert to a regular co-PI, and vice versa.

  How can I distinguish an Industrial co-PI from a regular co-PI?

The Industrial co-PI(s) will be listed as co-Principal Investigator - Industrial on the proposal preparation screen and on the Cover Sheet PDF. A regular co-PI is listed as co-Principal Investigator. A co-PI, if from the same prime organization as the PI on the proposal, can change their role to become either an Industrial co-PI or the PI; however, an Industrial co-PI will not be able to change their role to become the PI on the proposal.

  How do I distinguish a small business partner subaward organization from a subaward organization which is not a small business partner?

A GOALI proposal can have two types of subaward organizations: small business partner subaward organizations and subaward organizations which are not small business partner organizations. On the Manage Personnel page, there are buttons in the subaward organization section of the page to add the desired type of subaward organization to the GOALI proposal. The subaward organization section of the Manage Personnel page also contains a Subaward Type column to indicate whether the subaward organization added is a small business partner. Refer to PAPPG Chapter II.F.5    for additional details on each type of subaward organization for a GOALI proposal.

Postdoctoral Fellowship Proposals

  How do I initiate a postdoctoral fellowship proposal?

You must first have the Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow role to initiate a postdoctoral fellowship proposal in Research.gov. A Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow role is different than a PI role. Postdoctoral fellowship funding opportunities will only display and be available for selection for users preparing a proposal as a Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow. Proposals for fellowship solicitations with reference letter requirements must be prepared and submitted in Research.gov and cannot be prepared and submitted in Grants.gov. Proposers with proposals for fellowship solicitations without reference letter requirements can initiate their submission in Grants.gov but must complete their proposal in Research.gov. See the Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov page and Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov how-to guide for more information.

• After signing in to Research.gov, navigate to My Profile at the top right of the page.
• From the left navigation menu, select My Roles > Add a New Role > Add Investigator or Authorized User Role > Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow (third option).
• Proceed to complete the required information as appropriate.
• Once the Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow role has been added, allow up to 60 minutes for the system to process the request.
• Then you will need to sign out of Research.gov and sign back in again before initiating and preparing a postdoctoral fellowship proposal for fellowship solicitations in Research.gov.

Additional guidance is available in the Add a New Organizational Role – Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow section of the Account Management Guide on the Research.gov About Account Management page.

  What happens if I have user roles in addition to the Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow role?

When a user is affiliated with an organization and has multiple roles such as a PI, co-PI, SPO, OAU, or AOR as well as the role of a Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow, all submission types are available to select. When a Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow clicks on Prepare New, they will see the Select Organization for New Proposal modal. To create a postdoctoral fellowship proposal type from the Select Organization drop-down, the Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow must select the I am a Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow (Postdoctoral Fellowship Proposals) option to initiate a postdoctoral fellowship proposal.

  Do postdoctoral fellowship proposals have different document submission requirements?

Yes, the following solicitation-specific proposal sections may be required to be submitted for postdoctoral fellowship proposals:

• Letter(s) of Collaboration
• Letter(s) of Support
• PhD Abstract
• Host Institution Letter(s)
• Research Support
• Reference Letter Request(s)
• Application Form
• Sponsoring Scientist Statement

Refer to the specific program solicitation to determine if submission of these proposal sections is required, optional, or not applicable. Please also see the Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals    page for the related compliance checks.

  Are Personnel documents required to be uploaded for a Mentor/Advisor or Sponsoring Scientist listed on a postdoctoral fellowship proposal?

Some postdoctoral fellowship programs require submission of Personnel documents (i.e., Biographical Sketch, Current and Pending (Other) Support, and/or Collaborators & Other Affiliations) for any Mentor/Advisor listed on the proposal. The Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow should refer to the specific program solicitation to determine Personnel document requirements for a Mentor/Advisor or Sponsoring Scientist. Please also see the Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals    page for the related compliance checks. Note that the Mentor/Advisor and Sponsoring Scientist cannot view or edit the proposal in Research.gov.

  How do I view the budget in a postdoctoral fellowship proposal?

The budget section of all postdoctoral fellowship proposals includes the prepopulated stipend and fellowship allowance based on the selected solicitation. The budget section does not display on the proposal main page after the proposal has been created but can be viewed by clicking Print Proposal. When the Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow submits the proposal, the budget will display as read-only and will be accessible from the proposal main page. The budget section is editable during a proposal file update/budget revision however this should only be performed when requested by the Program Officer.

  How is the proposed duration determined for a postdoctoral fellowship proposal?

The proposed duration for a postdoctoral fellowship proposal is prepopulated, read-only (i.e., not editable), and aligns with the program solicitation selected when initiating the proposal in Research.gov.

  What if I do not have any information to provide in the Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources section in a postdoctoral fellowship proposal?

The Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources section is required in all postdoctoral fellowship proposals. If no information is applicable in this section for your proposal, you must upload a file with the text "Not applicable" to pass the automated compliance checks and submit your proposal. Refer to the program solicitation for specific document submission requirements.

  The solicitation for the postdoctoral fellowship program I am applying to does not require reference letters or information in the application form. Will I be able to submit my proposal without this information?

Research.gov will not require you to have reference letter writers added or the application form completed if the postdoctoral fellowship program solicitation does not specify these requirements.

  Can a reference letter writer submit the reference letter after my proposal has been submitted?

Yes. The system will not prevent the reference letter writer from submitting a reference letter after the proposal has been submitted. However, the reference letter writer must submit the reference letter before the proposal deadline per program solicitation requirements. Please also see the Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals page for the related compliance checks.

  Can I submit my proposal before the reference letter writer(s) have submitted their reference letter(s)?

Yes. If you attempt to submit your proposal and there are reference letter writer(s) who have not yet submitted their reference letter(s), Research.gov will generate a warning that notifies you which reference letter writer(s) have not submitted. However, the system will allow you to submit the proposal. Once the reference writer(s) successfully submit their reference letter(s), the letter(s) will be available to the Program Officer to view.

  How do reference letter writer(s) listed in my proposal submit reference letter(s)?

Reference writer(s) submit reference letters using the Reference Letter Submission module in Research.gov. The reference letter writer must have an NSF account in Research.gov to access this module. After the proposed postdoctoral fellow nominates a reference letter writer in Research.gov, the reference writer will receive a system-generated email with an invitation code required to access the Reference Letter Submission module to upload and submit the reference letter for the proposed postdoctoral fellow. A Postdoctoral Fellowship Proposal Reference Letter Submission Module Guide with step-by-step instructions is available on the Research.gov About Proposal Preparation and Submission page .

  What do I do if I submitted my proposal but my reference letter writer cannot submit a reference letter due to a personal matter such as illness?

When a proposal is submitted, reference letter requests cannot be canceled in the proposal. The proposer must reach out to the cognizant Program Officer for guidance on how to resolve this issue. If a new reference letter writer is identified to replace the reference letter writer unable to submit a reference letter, the new reference letter writer would have to manually provide the reference letter to the Program Officer.

  What if I don't see the organization that I’m trying to add in the search results for the Organization Name section in my application form?

If you have entered text in the Organization Name field and do not see the organization you want to add displayed in the search results, please try the following:

• Ensure you have entered the full organization name. The system will only display a maximum of 10 search results when entering text in the Organization Name field.
• Review the text you have entered to ensure there are no spelling errors.
• If the organization you're attempting to add is still not displaying, click on the Add other organization selection displayed at the very bottom of the search results. Choosing this option will allow you to add a custom organization that is not in the system.

  Where should I upload a curriculum vitae (CV) for a sponsoring scientist?

The CV for the sponsoring scientist should be included in the Sponsoring Scientist Statement section within the proposal.

  Where should I upload a biographical sketch for a sponsoring scientist?

If the solicitation instructions are to include a biographical sketch for the sponsoring scientist, that file must be uploaded on the Biographical Sketch upload page for the sponsoring scientist. That page can be found in the Personnel Documents section on the proposal main page. Refer to the specific program solicitation to determine the submission requirements for these documents.

  If I include a CV for the sponsoring scientist in the file that is uploaded in the Sponsoring Scientist Statement section, will the system generate an error if the file has more than three pages?

No. The system will not enforce the three-page limit for the file uploaded in the Sponsoring Scientist Statement section in the proposal. However, if the file being uploaded does not include the CV for the sponsoring scientist, the file uploaded must adhere to the three-page limit requirement for the Sponsoring Scientist Statement listed in the solicitation. Refer to the specific program solicitation to determine the submission requirements for these documents. Please also see the Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals page for the related compliance checks.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

  How do I prepare a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I or Phase II proposal in Research.gov?

Please refer to the SBIR/STTR Research.gov Guide    on how to prepare and submit an SBIR or STTR Phase I or Phase II proposal in Research.gov.

  How do I prepare a preliminary proposal in Research.gov?

On the proposal preparation landing page, select Preliminary from the Prepare New drop-down menu. Step 1 (Funding Opportunity) of the proposal setup wizard will only display the solicitations that require a preliminary proposal and the solicitations that indicate a preliminary proposal is optional. Preliminary proposals must be prepared and submitted in Research.gov and cannot be prepared and submitted in Grants.gov.

  When would I submit a preliminary proposal in Research.gov?

The program solicitation will specify content and submission requirements for preliminary proposals. Please see PAPPG, Chapter I.D.3    for information about preliminary proposals, including the two types of decisions that may be received from NSF upon submission of a preliminary proposal.

  Who can initiate a preliminary proposal in Research.gov?

Only an individual with a PI role can initiate preliminary proposals in Research.gov.

  Will Research.gov prohibit any actions related to an Ideas Lab preliminary proposal?

Research.gov will not permit co-PIs and senior personnel to be added to an Ideas Lab preliminary proposal. In addition, Research.gov will not allow an Ideas Lab preliminary proposal to be withdrawn or to be related to a full proposal. Refer to PAPPG Chapter II.F.6   for additional information about Ideas Lab proposals

  How do I associate my preliminary proposal to my full proposal?

For solicitations that require or request submission of a preliminary proposal, there is a Related Preliminary Proposal Number field on the full proposal Cover Sheet. Enter your preliminary proposal number in this field and then save the Cover Sheet. A green confirmation message will display. Additionally, there will be a blue information message at the top of the full proposal Cover Sheet confirming the successful association of your preliminary proposal with your full proposal. If the preliminary proposal number you entered is invalid or is for a preliminary proposal for which you do not have access, you will receive an error message and the preliminary proposal will not be associated to your full proposal.

Note that an Ideas Lab preliminary proposal cannot be related to a full proposal.

  Will I be required to associate my related preliminary proposal number to my full proposal in Research.gov when the solicitation requires the submission of a preliminary proposal?

Yes. Follow the solicitation requirements and enter the preliminary proposal number on the full proposal Cover Sheet. Although the system allows this entry to be optional, the cognizant Program Office will verify compliance of the submitted full proposal with the solicitation.

  How do I disassociate preliminary proposal from an associated full proposal?

To disassociate a preliminary proposal from a full proposal, remove the related preliminary proposal number associated with a full proposal by going to the full proposal Cover Sheet, clearing the Related Preliminary Proposal Number field, and then saving the Cover Sheet.

  When associating a preliminary proposal to a full proposal, what is considered a valid preliminary proposal?

A valid preliminary proposal must meet the following criteria:

• Submitted in Research.gov and exists in the user's Submitted Preliminary Proposals list
• Has been Invited or Encouraged/Discouraged by NSF

  What proposal sections does Research.gov require for a preliminary proposal?

Research.gov requires that each preliminary proposal has a Cover Sheet, Project Summary, and Project Description. The following preliminary proposal sections are dependent on the requirements listed in the program solicitation:

• References Cited
• Budget Justification(s)
• Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources
• Senior Personnel Documents
• Data Management Plan

Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan

  Can I withdraw a preliminary proposal?

Preliminary proposals other than for Ideas Lab program solicitations can be withdrawn after submission to NSF.

  What is a collaborative proposal?

A collaborative proposal is one in which investigators from two or more organizations wish to collaborate on a unified research project. Collaborative proposals may be submitted to NSF in one of two methods: as a single proposal, in which a single award is being requested (with subawards administered by the lead organization); or by simultaneous submission of proposals from different organizations, with each organization requesting a separate award. In either case, the lead organization’s proposal must contain all of the requisite sections as a single package to be provided to reviewers (that will happen automatically when procedures below are followed). All collaborative proposals must clearly describe the roles to be played by the other organizations, specify the managerial arrangements, and explain the advantages of the multi-organizational effort within the Project Description. Please see PAPPG, Chapter II.E.3.    for additional information about collaborative proposals.

  Can a collaborative proposal be prepared in Research.gov?

Yes, Research.gov supports the preparation and submission of collaborative proposals from one organization (with subawards) and separately submitted collaborative proposals from multiple organizations.

  How many PIs and co-PIs can I have on a collaboration?

In a collaborative proposal from one organization (with subawards), there can be a maximum of five—one PI and up to four co-PIs. In a separately submitted collaborative proposal from multiple organizations, each proposal may have a maximum of five—one PI and up to four co-PIs.

Separately Submitted Collaborative Proposals from Multiple Organizations

  What are the differences between a lead organization proposal and a non-lead organization proposal?

The lead organization's proposal must contain all of the required sections as a single package that will be provided to proposal reviewers. The non-lead organization will inherit the Proposal Title, Funding Opportunity, Where to Apply, Proposal Type, Submission Type, and Due Date from the lead organization proposal after the lead and non-lead organization proposals are successfully linked. For additional details, see the PAPPG, Chapter II.E.3.b   

  Since only the lead organization can enter the proposal title, does the non-lead organization leave that section blank? Can an incomplete Cover Sheet be saved in Research.gov?

The proposal title cannot be blank on the non-lead proposal since it is a mandatory field. The non-lead organization should enter an interim proposal title during preparation until the lead organization's title is inherited upon linking.

  If I indicate during proposal creation that my role on a project is as lead proposer, can I later change my role to a non-lead proposer and prepare a non-lead proposal?

No, during proposal preparation an organization cannot change from a lead proposer role to a non-lead proposer role or vice versa. In this scenario, the in-progress collaborative proposal should be deleted and a new proposal can be initiated with the desired role on the project (i.e., lead proposer or non-lead proposer).

  Why is my non-lead organization proposal missing proposal sections?

Required sections of the proposal differ based on the organization's role. The non-lead organization proposal will only have the following sections available on the proposal main page:

Cover Sheet

• Biographical Sketch(es)
• Current and Pending (Other) Support
• Collaborators and Other Affiliations
• Optional: Other Personnel Biographical Information
• Optional: Other Supplementary Documents
• Optional: List of Suggested Reviewers
• Optional: List of Reviewers Not to Include

For additional information about proposal sections required to be submitted by a lead and non-lead organization in a collaborative proposal from multiple organizations, please see PAPPG, Chapter II.E.3.   

  In a separately submitted collaborative proposal, can both the lead and non-lead organizations upload Other Supplementary Documents and Single Copy Documents?

Yes, both the lead and non-lead organizations can upload Other Supplementary Documents and Single Copy Documents.

  In a separately submitted collaborative proposal, can both the lead and non-lead organizations have subawards as part of the same proposal?

Yes, both the lead and non-lead organizations have the option for subawards in a separately submitted collaborative proposal.

Linking and Unlinking Collaborative Proposals from Multiple Organizations

  What is a linked collaborative proposal?

A linked collaborative proposal results when a lead organization proposal has been joined with one or more non-lead proposals that will be submitted together.

  How do I link a proposal?

The non-lead organization should work offline with the lead organization to provide its Temporary ID Number. The lead organization can then click the Link/View Collaborative Proposals button on its in-progress lead proposal form to enter the non-lead proposal's Temporary ID Number to send the link request to the non-lead organization. The link request must be accepted by the non-lead organization. The PI, co-PI, OAU, SPO and AOR for the non-lead organization proposal will receive a notification in Research.gov and an email notifying them that they have received a proposal link request.

  What happens if the lead organization enters the non-lead proposal Temporary ID Number on its in-progress lead proposal form but the non-lead proposal does not display?

The lead organization should contact the PI for the non-lead organization offline to verify the non-lead proposal Temporary ID Number.

  I am the lead proposer. How do I see the list and status of linked proposals in my collaboration?

By clicking the Link/View Collaborative Proposals button, the lead organization can view the list and status of all non-lead organizations that have been sent link requests. The lead organization will see the non-lead organizations that have accepted or rejected link requests as well as any pending link requests. The non-lead organization(s) will only be able to view the status of the linked lead proposal on the Link/View Collaborative Proposals page.

  How do I unlink my proposal?

A lead organization can unlink a non-lead organization proposal by clicking the Link/View Collaborative Proposals button on the proposal form and clicking Unlink Proposal for the non-lead organization proposal it intends to unlink. Non-lead organizations cannot unlink their proposals from a lead organization and must coordinate with the lead organization to unlink proposals.

  How do I cancel a link request?

Only lead organizations have the ability to cancel link requests. A lead organization can cancel a link request by clicking on the Link/View Collaborative Proposals button on the lead organization proposal main page. Click Cancel Link Request next to the non-lead proposal(s) that has a pending link request (i.e., the non-lead organization hasn’t accepted or rejected the link request). Once the link request is cancelled, the pending link request will no longer display on the Link/View Collaborative Proposal table on both the lead and non-lead organization proposals.

  What happens to a non-lead organization proposal if it is unlinked from a lead organization proposal?

A non-lead organization proposal that has been unlinked from a lead organization proposal will retain the information (i.e., Proposal Title, Funding Opportunity, Where to Apply, Proposal Type, Submission Type, and Due Date) that was inherited from the lead organization proposal, but the non-lead organization proposal cannot be submitted until it is linked with a new lead organization proposal. Upon linking to a new lead organization proposal, the non-lead organization proposal will inherit information (i.e., Proposal Title, Funding Opportunity, Where to Apply, Proposal Type, Submission Type, and Due Date) from the new lead organization proposal.

  Can a non-lead organization proposal be linked to multiple lead organization proposals?

A non-lead organization proposal can only be linked to one lead organization proposal at a time. In addition, a lead organization cannot send a link request to a non-lead organization that has accepted a link request or has a pending link request from another lead organization proposal.

  Is there a limitation on the number of non-lead organizations that can participate in a collaborative proposal?

No, there is no limit on the number of non-lead organizations that can participate in a collaborative proposal.

  What is the maximum number of subawards allowed per lead organization proposal and non-lead organization proposal?

There is no maximum number of subawards for lead and non-lead organization proposals.

  What information from the linked proposals can I see when I print my collaborative proposal?

Once the proposals are linked, a PDF of all proposal pages within the collaboration will be displayed when a PI, co-PI, SPO, AOR, or OAU of either the lead or non-lead organization clicks Print Proposal.

  Does a printed submitted collaborative proposal look different than an in-progress collaborative proposal?

There is only one difference between a submitted collaborative proposal and an in-progress collaborative proposal when printed. When submitted, the header of each lead and non-lead organization proposal page will display the name of the respective PI, and the assigned Proposal Number. The formatting of this display is: Submitted/PI: [PI First Name Last Name] /Proposal No: [Proposal Number].

  Can I link or unlink a proposal after it has been submitted?

No, proposals cannot be linked or unlinked once the collaborative set (i.e., all lead and non-lead organization proposals in the collaboration) has been submitted and has a Submitted to NSF status. In addition, proposals cannot be linked or unlinked during an in-progress proposal file update (PFU)/ budget revision. If the collaborative set has not been fully submitted, the lead has flexibility to add or change linked non-lead proposals if they are not submitted.

Deleting Separately Submitted Proposals

  How do I delete a linked in-progress proposal?

An in-progress separately submitted collaborative proposal can only be deleted by the organization if it is not linked and does not have any pending link requests from another proposal in a collaborative set. Proposers who want to delete an in-progress linked proposal must first un-link it from all other proposals. There is a Delete Proposal button in the Proposal Actions Section (on the left side of the page) available to the PI and co-PI to delete in-progress collaborative proposals.

  Can a PDF document be uploaded if it does not adhere to PAPPG formatting requirements?

Research.gov runs selected automated checks for PAPPG formatting compliance when a PDF document is uploaded. If non-compliance is detected, a warning or error message will display that identifies the issue(s). Some issues stop document upload (i.e., compliance errors), such as a violation of page length, while others allow document upload to complete (i.e., compliance warnings), such as violations of line spacing. For complete information, see the PAPPG, Chapter II.C. proposal preparation instructions    and the Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals    page. If unexpected errors occur when uploading a PDF document, please contact the NSF IT Service Desk at 1-800-381-1532 for assistance. The PDF can be analyzed, and a solution can be identified. The NSF IT Service Desk is available by phone from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET Monday - Friday except federal holidays or via email to  [email protected] .

  Which PDF upload document formatting requirements are currently checked in Research.gov?

The proposal must conform to the formatting requirements specified in PAPPG Chapter II.C.2.    including the proposal font and margin requirements detailed in PAPPG Chapter II.C.2.a.   Refer to the Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals    page for the complete list of current compliance checks.

Line and Margin Requirements per PAPPG Chapter II.C.2    :

• No more than six lines of text within a vertical space of one inch.
• Paper size must be no larger than standard letter paper size (8½ by 11" or 11" by 8½).

  What are some common margin issues to be aware of to ensure my proposal is compliant with PAPPG requirements?

Some potential margin issue root causes may be:

• Text in headers/footers and page numbers: Be sure that the document has no text in the header or footer including page numbers. Research.gov will automatically paginate and add page numbers for you when the proposal PDF is generated, so page numbers should be removed.
• Document elements not visible or not obvious on inspection: Items such as a space character in the header/footer or code inserted when using LaTeX to create the source file can trigger a margin error.
• Inserted images, figures, shapes, and hyperlinks: Margins can be set to one inch, but an image, figure, shape, or hyperlink can violate the margin rule. Setting the margin rule to one inch would not automatically correct the images, figures, shapes or hyperlinks within margins. Be sure to review all inserted images, figures, shapes, or hyperlinks that may be causing a margin issue.
• Fully justified text (i.e., both the left and right sides of the text have clean edges) may result in right margin issues for some PDF conversions. Some characters, such as commas, can bleed into the margins. If you want to maintain justified text and encounter margin issues, experiment by increasing the right margin settings (e.g., 1.02 - 1.05). Settings will vary and are dependent on the user's software. As an alternative, consider using left justification.
• Some PDF conversion software can overwrite metadata and alter the formatting of files. The NSF IT Service Desk has seen issues with Quartz PDF Context that is prevalent in Macs. Please use alternative methods to perform the PDF conversion.
• The PDF conversion process from older versions of Microsoft Word may alter the margins set in the original document. Please use alternative methods to perform PDF conversions. Other options may include increasing margins or using a more recent Microsoft Word version.
• Be wary of the use of heading styles in Microsoft Word: Using the heading style in Word will automatically add features to the document that collapse and expand text, and users may inadvertently collapse and hide non-compliant content. Starting a page with heading style text can cause top margin issues. It is helpful to check if any content is hidden by pressing Control-A to select the entire document and changing the style to "Normal" to identify hidden content.
• Special characters, equations, or use of bolded font in the first line of text on a page: Documents with special characters, equations, or bolded font in the first line of a page can cause a top margin issue in some versions of Microsoft Word. Inserting an entire blank line or two before the text may resolve this issue. For equations, consider using an image of an equation instead of an equation inserted by Equation Editor.
• Margins less than 72 points: Ensure your document margins are compliant before exporting the document to PDF. The system recognizes one inch as 72 points. If you notice margin issues for your PDF document, try exporting the PDF to Microsoft Word format to correct the margins to one inch. Then save the file as a PDF and upload it again.

  Why is there a line spacing warning when I am using a compliant font type and font size?        Please note: Line spacing warnings will not stop proposal submission.

For line spacing, there should be no more than six lines of text within a vertical space of one inch. Some potential line spacing issue root causes may be:

• Documents originating in LaTeX sometimes will trigger the line spacing warning even though the font type and font size are compliant. Please refer to https://github.com/nsf-open/nsf-proposal-latex-samples as a resource for LaTeX/TeX users.
• Some PDF generators change the size of document content slightly.
• In some versions of Microsoft Word, Arial 10 and Courier New 10 will produce line spacing errors. In this instance, try changing the line spacing to 1.05 as a workaround. Also consider experimenting with a different font or increasing the font to 11 or more. Please note that caption fonts smaller than 10 will trigger line spacing warnings.

In Microsoft Word, the number of lines per inch is dynamic based on font size. An option in Word to try is to format the paragraphs to specify an exact point size to use between lines. Here's how to do this:

• Open the document Layout tab
• Open paragraph settings by clicking the arrow icon below the Spacing Before and After options
• Select the Indents and Spacing tab
• In the Spacing section, go to Line Spacing and select Exactly in the drop-down menu and then 12 pt in the At field.

  Why is there a URL error when I do not see any URLs in my document?

Search on key domain suffixes such as .gov, .edu, .com, .io, .biz, etc.

Search for "www" or "http" text.

Hidden or embedded URLs can be prevalent when using citations. Citations created by Zotero or Paperpile, for example, can create a hidden clickable links. Avoid using third party citation software and type out the citation.

  I am getting an error message that I do not have a required document section heading (i.e., Broader Impacts) but it is included. What is causing this error?

A section heading must be on its own line without any other text for compliance checking purposes. It must be spelled correctly. "Broad Impacts" or "Broader Impact" will generate an error.

  What known issues should I be aware of regarding other validation errors when exporting a file to PDF?

The following are some examples of known issues:

• Outdated software used for exporting the file to PDF (recommend using PDF version 1.5 or higher).
• OpenOffice inserts an unallowable font for superscript and subscript.
• Google Docs may not properly export bulleted text.
• Google Docs Print→Save as PDF is not supported. Use File→Download→PDF Document
• Microsoft Office for Macs Save as PDF functionality and Best for Printing may not be supported. Instead, select the Best for electronic distribution and accessibility (uses Microsoft online service) option.
• For Microsoft Office, do not use Print as PDF to create a PDF. Instead, use Export and Create PDF.

  Are there any resources for LaTeX users?

Yes, a repository of compliant LaTeX/TeX sample input files has been created at https://github.com/nsf-open/nsf-proposal-latex-samples    as a resource for LaTeX/TeX users to reference for their own documents. The NSF IT Service Desk cannot troubleshoot LaTeX files or converting LaTeX files to PDF, however you may reach out to the contact listed on the GitHub site.

  I am getting a warning message when uploading my Collaborators and Other Affiliations (COA) template that not all cells could be saved. When I look at my uploaded PDF file, I see missing data. What is causing this?

The following are some examples of COA missing data possible causes:

• Cell contents exceed the cell limit of 255 characters including spaces.
• Data is missing, especially in column A for tables 2-5.
• Last Active column is entered using a date format other than MM/DD/YYYY.
• Cutting and pasting from other programs or files with formatting has produced errors or brought in invalid fonts and borders that trigger warning(s) on upload.

  I uploaded a COA file which appears to have been uploaded with no issues but when I try to preview it, the file is missing. Why is this happening?

This issue can occur when an invalid year consisting of more than four digits is entered (e.g., 20022) in the COA document which corrupts both the COA and the Budget sections of the proposal. For the Budget section, this issue will prevent data from being saved in the proposal. Please correct the year in the original COA file, save the file, and then re-upload the updated COA file to the proposal. If the issue is not discovered early, it can corrupt the proposal. If you need assistance, please contact the NSF IT Service Desk.

  When is a COA document required for Conference proposals?

A COA document is required for each individual identified as Senior Personnel in a Conference proposal when the budget's total dollar value, including indirect costs, is more than $50,000. COA documents are uploaded on the Senior Personnel Documents screen. Please refer to PAPPG Chapter II.F.9    for additional information.

  Can senior personnel documents (e.g., biographical sketch) be reordered in the PDF?

There is not currently a way to modify the order of senior personnel documents in the PDF. However, NSF will discuss a possible future enhancement to allow reordering of senior personnel documents in the PDF.

  How do I upload an updated current and pending (other) support document?

The cognizant NSF Program Officer will request that an updated version of current and pending (other) support be submitted via Research.gov prior to making a funding recommendation. SciENcv will produce an NSF-compliant PDF version of the updated current and pending (other) support. The Research.gov budget revision feature is used to submit the requested update. The AOR submits the updated current and pending (other) support document for each individual named as senior personnel on the submitted proposal. The information must be provided as specified in PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.h(ii) . See the Preparing Updated Current and Pending(Other) Support how-to guide for a walk-though of the steps.

  I need to correct a submitted Current and Pending (Other) Support update document after the Program Officer requested this. Can I make a correction?

No, once the Program Officer initiates the Current and Pending (Other) Support update request and it was submitted, there cannot be another submission.

  I need to submit a budget revision and an updated Current and Pending (Other) Support document. Can I do this at the same time?

No, you cannot perform these two actions at the same time. If a budget revision is performed first, you must wait until the next day to perform the Current and Pending (Other) Support update. However, you may submit the Current and Pending (Other) Support before a budget revision on the same day.

  I'm trying to upload a PDF (e.g., PDF to the Other Supplementary Documents section) but I'm receiving an error message saying the system has encountered an error. What do I do?

A PDF file that is a certified signed document or is password protected will produce this error. For PDF uploads to the Other Supplementary Documents section, open the PDF file with a browser and print it with the destination set as Adobe PDF (not Save PDF or Save As). If this does not resolve the issue, please contact the NSF IT Service Desk at 1-800-381-1532 (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM ET; Monday - Friday except federal holidays) or via email to  [email protected]

  I don't see a submit button. How do I submit the proposal?

Only the AOR can submit a proposal to NSF. A PI or co-PI must first use the Share Proposal with SPO/AOR button to provide the AOR with submit proposal access. Then the AOR will see the Initiate Proposal Submission button enabled under Proposal Actions on the proposal main page. The AOR will click the Initiate Proposal Submission button to start proposal submission

  I have submitted my collaborative proposal but my status is Submission Pending. What does that mean? 

All lead and non-lead organization proposals in a separately submitted collaborative proposal from multiple organizations are held in a queue with a Submission Pending status upon submission by the respective AORs. The lead and non-lead collaborative proposals can be submitted in any order. Once all proposals in the collaboration have a Submission Pending status, the collaborative set will be fully submitted to NSF and the proposal status for each collaborative proposal will change from Submission Pending to Submitted to NSF (Not Yet Assigned for Review). After the collaborative set is submitted, each proposal will be assigned a proposal number and processed into NSF IT systems where the proposal is accessible by NSF Program Officers.

  My proposal is the lead organization proposal, the submission deadline is approaching, and there are unaccepted link requests to non-lead organization proposals. What can I do to submit on time?

Organizations in a separately submitted collaborative proposal with pending link requests must either accept the link request (non-lead organization action), reject the link request (non-lead organization action), or cancel the link request (lead organization action) before submitting the proposal. If the lead organization chooses to continue with submitting the proposal, all pending link requests to non-lead proposals will automatically be cancelled.

  My proposal is the lead organization proposal in a separately submitted collaborative proposal and one of the non-lead organizations will not be able to submit by the deadline. What can I do to ensure the collaboration is submitted on time? 

In this scenario, the lead organization could unlink its proposal from the non-lead organization proposal not able to submit by its deadline. The lead organization proposal and the remaining linked non-lead proposals could then be submitted to NSF by the deadline. The final collaborative proposal should be revised before submission to account for the change in participating organizations. The lead organization will not be able to link to other non-lead proposals after the entire collaboration is submitted to NSF.

  How do I check proposal status after a proposal has been submitted? 

Within 24 hours of proposal submission in Research.gov (including proposals submitted via Grants.gov and processed in Research.gov), the proposal will be listed on the Research.gov Proposal Status page. Proposers can access the Proposal Status page using the Proposal Status link under Proposals on the Research.gov homepage after signing in. If proposers do not see a submitted proposal listed on the Proposal Status page after 24 hours, the proposer should contact the NSF Service Desk at 1-800-381-1532 for assistance. The NSF Service Desk is available by phone from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET Monday - Friday except federal holidays or via email to  [email protected]

  When is proposal submission required for each separately submitted proposal? If the lead organization is on the East Coast and a non-lead organization is on the West Coast, what would be the submission deadline?

Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. submitter's local time on the established deadline date. In this example, the lead organization on the East Coast must submit by 5 p.m. Eastern Time, and the non-lead organization on the West Coast must submit by 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

Editing a Submitted Proposal

  How can I make changes to my proposal after it is submitted?

How you edit your proposal will depend on the status of your proposal and whether it is a single submission or separately submitted collaborative proposal.

• Single submission or single submission with subawards (collaborative) proposals:All edits must be done via a proposal file update (PFU) or a budget revision. For a PFU, the proposal main page within the submitted proposal will display an Update Submitted Proposal button under Proposal Actions. For a budget revision, the submitted proposal will display a Revise Budget button under Proposal Actions.
• Separately submitted collaborative proposals with Submission Pending Status: A lead or non-lead organization proposal will receive a status of Submission Pending after submission if there are other proposals in the collaboration that have yet to submit. When a lead/non-lead organization proposal has a status of Submission Pending, there will be an Edit Proposal button visible to the PI/co-PIs, SPO, AOR, and OAU of the proposal. Clicking the Edit Proposal button removes the proposal from the Submission Pending status and returns it to an in-progress state. Proposals that are removed from the submission pending status will require a new submission by the AOR.
• Separately submitted collaborative proposal sets submitted to NSF: If all proposals in the collaborative set have been submitted, then each proposal can be edited via the Update Submitted Proposal or Revise Budget buttons on the submitted proposal form. Only the lead or non-lead proposal with the proposal file update/budget revision needs to be resubmitted; the entire collaborative set is not required to be resubmitted.
• See PAPPG, Chapter III.C    for additional information on Proposal File Updates.

  If I initiate a proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision, how does this impact a separately submitted collaborative set?

When a proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision is initiated, the original submitted version remains intact until it is replaced by the proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision. If the proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision is not submitted, the original submission will remain and the collaborative set is not impacted.

  How do I withdraw a proposal that has been submitted? 

To withdraw a submitted proposal, the PI, SPO, or AOR navigates to the Submitted Proposals list, selects the proposal they want to withdraw, and clicks on the Withdraw Proposal button in the Proposal Actions section of the proposal main page to initiate the withdrawal process.This is a final state.

  When can a proposal be withdrawn? 

A submitted proposal may be withdrawn at any time before a funding recommendation is made by the cognizant NSF Program Officer.

  Who can withdraw a submitted proposal? 

The proposal's PI, SPO and AOR may initiate a withdrawal request but only the AOR can approve the request and submit the withdrawal to NSF.

  How long does it take to withdraw a proposal? 

Submitted proposals are withdrawn from NSF as soon as the AOR approves the withdrawal in Research.gov.

  Can my withdrawal request be deleted if I change my mind? 

A pending proposal withdrawal request initiated by the PI or SPO can be deleted at any time before the AOR approves the withdrawal in Research.gov.

  Can I update my submitted proposal using a proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision while there is a pending withdrawal request? 

No, proposals with a pending withdrawal request cannot be updated using the proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision processes. The pending withdrawal request must first be deleted (PI or SPO action) or rejected (AOR action) before a proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision can be prepared to edit the submitted proposal.

  How do I know my proposal has been withdrawn? 

Withdrawn proposals are indicated by a proposal status of Withdrawn on the Submitted Proposals list. In addition, the PI, SPO, and AOR will receive an email and system notification to confirm the proposal withdrawal.

  What happens to an in-progress, unsubmitted proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision when there is a pending withdrawal request? 

If there is an in-progress proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision that was started prior to initiation of a withdrawal request, the in-progress proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision becomes read-only and cannot be submitted unless the proposal withdrawal request is deleted or rejected. A new proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision cannot be prepared when there is a pending withdrawal request or after a proposal has been withdrawn.

  Can I re-submit a withdrawn proposal? 

No. Once a proposal is withdrawn, it cannot be re-submitted to NSF by the organization. However, the PI/SPO/AOR may still view and print the withdrawn proposal in Research.gov.

Withdrawing Separately Submitted Collaborative Proposals from Multiple Organizations

  Can a separately submitted collaborative proposal be withdrawn? 

Yes, separately submitted collaborative proposals from multiple organizations can be withdrawn.

  Who can request a withdrawal when the proposal is a separately submitted collaborative proposal? 

The PI, SPO, or AOR of either the lead or non-lead organization can initiate a proposal withdrawal request.

  If one proposal in a collaboration is withdrawn, what happens to the other proposals in the collaboration? 

If a lead or non-lead proposal in a collaboration is withdrawn, all the linked proposals in the collaboration will be withdrawn and will show a proposal status of Withdrawn. The proposals cannot be edited or re-submitted.

  If one of the proposals in a collaboration has a pending withdrawal request, how does that impact the rest of the linked proposals in the collaboration? 

When one of the proposals in a collaboration has a pending withdrawal request, all the proposals in the collaboration become read-only and cannot be edited until the pending withdrawal request is either approved and submitted by the AOR of the initiating organization or deleted/rejected by the initiating organization's PI, SPO, or AOR.

  Can I submit a withdrawal request for my proposal if another proposal in my collaboration already has a pending withdrawal request? 

No, there can only be one proposal withdrawal request at a time for a separately submitted collaborative proposal.

  When a withdrawal request is initiated for one of the proposals in a collaboration, are the organizations for the linked proposals in the collaboration notified? 

Yes, the associated PIs, SPOs, and AORs of the linked proposals are notified via email and system notification when a lead or non-lead organization in the collaboration has initiated a proposal withdrawal request.

  What happens to an in-progress proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision for a proposal in a collaboration when there is a pending withdrawal request for another linked proposal? 

When one of the proposals in a collaboration has a pending withdrawal request, all of the proposals and in-progress proposal file updates (PFU)/budget revisions in the collaboration will become read-only and cannot be edited until the pending withdrawal request is either approved and submitted by the AOR of the initiating organization or deleted/rejected by the initiating organization's PI, SPO, or AOR.

  Can all NSF proposals be submitted via Grants.gov? 

Please note that the following submissions must be done in Research.gov as Grants.gov does not support the functionality:

• Separately submitted collaborative applications from multiple organizations
• Letters of intent
• Preliminary proposals
• Planning proposals
• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposals
• Postdoctoral fellowship proposals with reference letter requirements

Some proposals can be submitted in Grants.gov but must be completed or updated in Research.gov, such as:

• Proposals with project data forms for the Directorate for STEM Education (EDU)/Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE)
• Postdoctoral fellowship proposals without reference letter requirements
• Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) proposals
• Proposals with subawards
• Proposals with budgets of six years or more

  Where does a proposal submitted via Grants.gov display in Research.gov when the proposal has passed all pre-check and post-check validations and has been successfully submitted to and accepted by NSF? 

When a proposal submitted via Grants.gov is successfully submitted to and accepted by NSF, the proposal will display on the Submitted and Updates page under the Proposals (Full and Renewals) tab. Access this tab by signing in to Research.gov and clicking the Prepare and Submit Proposals link under Proposals on the Research.gov homepage. From the Prepare and Submit Proposals landing page, click the View/Update Submitted button in the Submitted and Updates tile and select Proposals (Full and Renewals).

  Where does a proposal submitted via Grants.gov display in Research.gov when the proposal has post-check validation errors or warnings? 

If a proposal submitted via Grants.gov and processed in Research.gov has any post-check validation errors or warnings, the proposal will display on the Research.gov In Progress page. Access this page by signing in to Research.gov and clicking the Prepare and Submit Proposals link under Proposals on the Research.gov homepage. From the Prepare and Submit Proposals landing page, click on the Work with In Progress button in the In Progress tile and select Proposals (Full and Renewals). Proposals submitted via Grants.gov will have Grants.gov text displayed directly next to the proposal title.

Proposals with compliance warnings can be submitted in Research.gov whereas proposals with compliance errors must be fixed in Research.gov and then resubmitted in Research.gov. See the Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov page and Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov how-to guide for additional Information. Please refer to the Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals    page for Research.gov automated compliance checks.

  I submitted my proposal via Grants.gov but I don't see it displayed in Research.gov. Why did this happen? 

If your proposal does not pass the Grants.gov pre-check validations (i.e., Grants.gov initial compliance checks) to be processed in Research.gov, your proposal will not display in Research.gov. You must fix the issues listed in the system-generated email sent to the PI and then resubmit via Grants.gov. See the Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov page and Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov how-to guide for additional Information. Please see the Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals    page for the Grants.gov initial compliance checks.

  What happens if my Grants.gov submitted proposal is processed in Research.gov but does not pass all the post-check validations? 

If a Grants.gov proposal passes the Grants.gov pre-check validations (i.e., Grants.gov initial compliance checks) to be successfully processed in Research.gov but there are post-check compliance warnings and/or errors to be addressed, the proposal will display on the Research.gov In Progress page but the proposal has not been successfully submitted to NSF. To view the error and warning messages in Research.gov, users can click the Check Error(s) and Warning(s) button under Proposal Actions on the proposal main page. Proposals with compliance warnings can be submitted in Research.gov whereas proposals with compliance errors must be fixed in Research.gov and then resubmitted in Resesrch.gov. Refer to the Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals for the Research.gov automated compliance checks. SPO(s) are automatically provided edit access in Research.gov and AORs are automatically provided edit and submit access in Research.gov when a Grants.gov proposal is processed in Research.gov but has an in progress status. Ensure the proposal is successfully submitted in Research.gov by the relevant 5:00 pm submitter's local time deadline. Users with AOR and Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow roles click the Initiate Proposal Submission button to resubmit the proposal in Research.gov.

Users with AOR and Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow roles click the Initiate Proposal Submission button to resubmit the proposal in Research.gov.

  What system-generated emails are sent after I submit my proposal via Grants.gov? 

Please see the following list of system-generated emails and associated scenarios:

• If the Grants.gov submitted proposal does not pass the pre-check validations (i.e., Grants.gov initial compliance checks) necessary to process the proposal in Research.gov, a system-generated email will be sent to the PI notifying them of the issues that must be fixed in Grants.gov before the proposal can be resubmitted in Grants.gov for processing in Research.gov.
• If the Grants.gov submitted proposal does not pass the pass the post-check validations (i.e., Research.gov automated compliance checks), a system-generated email will be sent to the PI, SPO(s) and AOR(s) associated with the prime organization notifying them the proposal is in progress in Research.gov and has not been successfully submitted to NSF. Proposals with compliance warnings can be submitted in Research.gov whereas proposals with compliance errors must be fixed in Research.gov and then resubmitted in Research.gov. The proposal must be successfully submitted in Research.gov by the relevant 5:00 pm submitter's local time deadline.
• If the Grants.gov submitted proposal is successfully submitted to NSF, a system-generated notification email will be sent to the PI, co-PI(s), OAU(s) and AOR associated with the prime organization.

  Why is my Grants.gov submitted proposal in progress in Research.gov if there were no errors or warnings listed in the email I received? 

In addition, there are some scenarios where information in Grants.gov proposals cannot be transferred into your proposal processed in Research.gov. Review the specific system messaging in each proposal section and make updates as required. In particular, please review the budget(s), subaward organization(s), personnel listed in the proposal, and senior personnel document(s). The proposal must be successfully submitted in Research.gov by the relevant 5:00 pm submitter's local time deadline. Please contact the NSF IT Service Desk at 1-800-381-1532 (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM ET; Monday - Friday except federal holidays) or via [email protected] if you need assistance.

Proposal FAQs

  What if the proposed duration is zero or left blank? 

Saving the Cover Sheet when the proposed duration is zero or has been left blank will result in an error message. A proposal cannot be submitted without a valid proposed duration saved on the Cover Sheet. Refer to funding opportunity for any potential duration requirements. Proposal duration is prepopulated on postdoctoral scholarship proposals.  Note: The system will not enforce any funding opportunity-specific duration requirements.

  Does the proposed duration on the Cover Sheet have to align with the number of years in the budget? 

The number of months entered for proposed duration should align with the number of years entered in the prime organization’s budget. The proposed duration should not extend beyond five years (60 months) unless otherwise specified in a program solicitation. Use the chart below for appropriate alignment:   

Project Description

  What are the Research.gov page limitations for Project Descriptions?

Proposers must follow the Project Description page limit guidance in the program solicitation for the proposal. The limits in a single solicitation may vary by track or program. For a program solicitation that does not include Project Description page limit guidance, follow the guidance in the PAPPG for the proposal type.

  Do academic and summer months need to be provided as part of the proposal budget?

As a general policy, NSF limits the salary compensation requested in the proposal budget for senior personnel to no more than two months of their regular salary in any one year. It is the organization's responsibility to define and consistently apply the term "year", and to specify this definition in the budget justification. Please see PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.f.i.    for additional information.

Currently, when a printable PDF of the proposal is displayed in Research.gov, the academic and summer month labels will display as blank fields. In the future, these fields will also be removed from the Research.gov print view.

  When does the cost sharing budget line (Line M) appear in the proposal's budget during proposal preparation?

Cost sharing is rarely required in NSF proposals. For those programs with required cost sharing, Line M on the proposal budget will only appear in year 1 of the prime organization proposal budget. A list of NSF programs with required cost sharing is available at https://nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/   

  Does Cost Sharing Line M of the proposal budget count as part of the Total Requested Amount?

No, cost sharing is not included as part of a proposal's Total Requested Amount and is treated as a separate and independent amount in the budget.

  Why don't I see the Cost Sharing Line M in year 2 of my proposal's budget?

The cost sharing budget line (Line M of the Proposal Budget) will appear in the Prime Award Organization budget directly under the Total Amount Requested budget line (Line J) when the funding opportunity selected requires cost sharing. The cost sharing data will only appear under the Year 1 column within the Prime Award Organization's budget page and will represent the total proposed cost sharing amount.

  Is there any justification or documentation required when including a cost sharing amount?

An explanation of the source, nature, amount and availability of any proposed cost sharing must be provided in the budget justification. The budget justification upload screen can be found on the proposal main page below the Budget section.

  Can cost sharing be modified as part of a proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision?

Yes, the cost sharing amount on Line M on the Proposal Budget can be added, removed, or edited as part of a proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision.

  Can a proposal be submitted if the cost sharing amount entered on Line M of the Budget is $0 

Yes, proposals that require cost sharing can be shared or submitted with a cost sharing amount of $0 entered on Line M of the Prime Award Organization's Year 1 Budget. Although the proposer will be prompted with a warning to check that the amount entered is correct based on solicitation requirements, the warning will not stop proposal submission and can be bypassed to allow the AOR to submit the proposal. A value of $0 is acceptable because based on the solicitation, certain institutions are exempt from the mandatory cost sharing requirement. For example, the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program provides that, "only non-Ph.D.- granting academic institutions of higher education are exempt from the cost-sharing requirement and cost sharing by those institutions may not be provided."

  What is the limit on budget years in a subaward budget? 

The number of years in a subaward budget must be equal to or less than the number of years in the prime organization budget. If the number of years in a subaward budget exceeds the number of years in the prime organization budget, an automated compliance error will be generated and the proposal will be stopped from being submitted to NSF.

  For a FASED proposal, where should I include information regarding funding requests for special equipment or assistance to facilitate the participation of individuals with disabilities? 

These funding requests should be included in the proposed budget for the project and documented in the Budget Justification. The specific nature, purpose and need for such equipment or assistance should be described in sufficient detail in the Project Description to permit evaluation of the request by knowledgeable reviewers.

  I am receiving the following error message when attempting to save the budget: "The system has encountered an error and was unable to save the budget. Please try saving the budget again and if this issue persists, you may contact the NSF IT Service Desk at [email protected] or 1 (800) 381-1532."How can I fix this? 

This issue can occur when an invalid year consisting of more than four digits is entered (e.g., 20022) in the COA document under Senior Personnel Documents which corrupts both the COA and the Budget sections of the proposal. For the Budget section, this issue will prevent data from being saved in the proposal. Please correct the year in the original COA file, save the file, and then upload the updated COA file to the proposal.In some cases, especially if there are subrecipient organization budgets, you may not be able to resolve the issue on your own and must contact the NSF IT Service Desk for assistance.

Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources

  When does a Conference or Travel proposal require a Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources document? 

A Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources document is required for a Conference or Travel proposal when there will be support from other sources. This selection is made when initiating the proposal using the proposal setup wizard but can be changed on the Cover Sheet. Please see PAPPG Chapter II.F.9.    for additional information on Conference proposals and PAPPG Chapter II.F.11.    for Travel Proposals.

Project Data Form

  What is a project data form and when is it required? 

A project data form is currently only required for some proposals to the Directorate for STEM Education (EDU)/Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE). The information that is provided in the project data form is used to direct proposals to appropriate reviewers and to determine the characteristics of projects supported by DUE.

The project data form must be included in a proposal only when specified in a program solicitation. The following programs currently require the project data form, but it is not an exhaustive list:

• Advanced Technological Education (ATE)Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI Program)
• Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Directorate for STEM Education (IUSE:EDU)
• Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program
• NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM)

  How must a project data form be included as part of the proposal? 

If the selected funding opportunity requires a project data form, it must be included for single submissions as well as lead and non-lead collaboratives that are full proposals, renewal proposals, or accomplishment-based renewal proposals.

  How is the project data form included for proposals submitted via Grants.gov?

A Grants.gov proposal requiring a project data form will automatically be set as an in-progress proposal in Research.gov, and the proposer must access Research.gov to complete the form and submit the proposal in Research.gov. The proposer will not be able to check the status of the proposal until this information is provided in Research.gov and the complete proposal is submitted in Research.gov and accepted by NSF. See the Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov page and Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov how-to guide for more information.

  Will a Program Track or Category be required on the project data form if the program selected doesn't have any corresponding program tracks or categories? 

No. The Program Track and Category fields are not required if there are no program tracks or categories that correspond to the program where the proposal will be submitted within NSF. In this scenario, the following read-only text will be displayed under the Program Track and/or Category section: Not applicable for the selected program.

  Does the Prime Organization Information section in my non-lead project data form refer to the lead proposal's organization information? 

No. The Prime Organization Information section in a non-lead collaborative proposal project data form refers to the prime/awardee organization for the non-lead proposal. The non-lead proposer should choose the appropriate selections based on the prime/awardee organization for its non-lead proposal when completing the Highest Degree and Institution Type fields.

  Should I add subaward organizations in the Add Other Organizations section in my project data form? 

Yes. The organizations that should be added in the Add Other Organizations section in your project data form are organizations involved in the project directly or through shared use of equipment, including subaward organizations. Subaward organizations should also be added on the Add Subaward Organizations page within the proposal to report any necessary budget information, personnel, and senior personnel documents.

  What if I don't see the organization I’m trying to add in the search results in the Add Other Organizations section in my project data form? 

If you have entered text in the Organizations field and do not see the organization you want to add displayed in the search results, please try the following:

• Ensure you have entered the full organization name. The system will only display a maximum of 10 search results when entering text in the Organization(s)'field.
• If the organization you're attempting to add is still not displaying, click on the Add other organization: selection displayed at the very bottom of the search results. Selecting this option will allow you to add a custom organization that is not in the system.

  What should I do if I don't see the subdiscipline I want to select in the Subdiscipline drop-down after choosing a Discipline? 

If you do not see the desired subdiscipline in the subdiscipline selection drop-down, please select the Other (Specify) selection. Once selected, a text field will be displayed where you can enter a custom subdiscipline. This custom subdiscipline information will also display in the project data form PDF.

  What if my project doesn't apply to any of the strategic areas listed in the Strategic Area drop-down in the project data form? 

The Strategic Area section is an optional section in the project data form. If your project does not apply to any of the strategic areas listed in the drop-down, you do not need to make a selection in this section.

  Should I enter zero ('0') in the individual category fields in the Estimated Number of Individuals Involved if there are no individuals in the category that benefited/will benefit from the project? 

Yes. The system will require you to enter a value in all the individual categories within the Estimated Number of Individuals Involved section. If there are individual categories where no individuals were involved, enter zero ('0') in those fields. Leaving any individual category field blank will result in a compliance error stopping proposal submission.

  What are the required sections in a project data form that must be completed before a single submission or a lead collaborative proposal can be submitted in Research.gov? 

The following sections in the project data form are required to be completed in a single submission and in a lead collaborative proposal before the proposal can be submitted in Research.gov:

• Program Track (if the program has corresponding program tracks that can be selected)
• Categories (if the program has corresponding categories that can be selected)
• Highest Degree
• Institution Type
• Are there other organizations involved in the project's operation question? (if Yes is selected, at least one organization must be provided)
• Primary Academic Focus Level
• Private Sector Participation
• Estimated Number of Individuals Involved (a value must be entered in all individual category fields within this section)

  What are the required sections in a project data form that must be completed before a non-lead collaborative proposal can be submitted in Research.gov? 

The following sections in the project data form are required to be completed in a non-lead collaborative proposal before the proposal can be submitted:

After a non-lead collaborative proposal is submitted, it will be held in a submission pending queue until all proposals in the collaboration have been submitted. When all proposals in the collaboration are in the submission pending queue, the non-lead proposal and the other proposals in the collaboration will be submitted to NSF.

  What information does a non-lead collaborative proposal project data form inherit from the lead collaborative proposal? 

The information below is inherited in the non-lead proposal project data form based on the information entered on the lead collaborative proposal project data form. The inherited information in the non-lead proposal project data form will be read-only on the Research.gov proposal preparation screen when preparing the non-lead proposal and will be reflected on the non-lead proposal project data form PDF. If information has not yet been entered on the lead collaborative proposal project data form, the following read-only text will display on the non-lead project data form for each section where the lead organization has not yet provided information: Not yet specified in the lead proposal.

• Program Track
• Other Organizations
• subdiscipline
• Audience(s)
• Strategic Area
• Project Feature(s)

  What if the information inherited from the lead collaborative proposal project data form does not display correctly in my non-lead proposal project data form? 

If the inherited information from the lead collaborative proposal project data form does not display correctly in the non-lead project data form, try refreshing the page by clicking the Refresh button in your web browser, Ctrl + F5 (Windows), or Command + Option + R (Mac) to reload the page. After reloading the page, the inherited information from the lead proposal project data form should display in your non-lead proposal project data form.

  Can a linked non-lead collaborative proposal be submitted before the lead collaborative proposal has entered in all data in the project data form? 

Yes. If the non-lead organization has provided the required data that the non-lead is responsible to provide in the project data form, the non-lead will be able to submit their proposal but it will be held in a submission pending queue until all proposals in the collaboration have been submitted. The information will be inherited in the non-lead proposal project data form after the lead organization provides data in each of the project data form sections.

  If a proposal file update is submitted for a lead collaborative proposal and changes have been made in the project data form, will the linked non-lead proposal(s) automatically inherit the updates in their project data form(s)? 

Yes. Proposal file updates made in the lead proposal project data form will be automatically inherited in the project data form for all non-lead proposals in the collaboration.

Single Copy Documents

  What are Single Copy documents? 

Certain categories of information submitted in conjunction with a proposal are for "NSF Use Only" and not provided to reviewers for use in the review of the proposal. Single Copy Documents include: Collaborators and Other Affiliations Information, Proprietary or Privileged Information, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, Nature of Natural or Anthropogenic Event, Deviation Authorization, and Additional Single Copy Documents. Please see PAPPG, Chapter II.D.1.    for additional information about Single Copy Documents.

  How do I access the upload sections for Single Copy Documents such as Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, Proprietary or Privileged Information and Special Exception to the Deadline Date Policy?

Navigate to the proposal Cover Sheet and select the checkbox for the Single Copy Document you would like to add to your proposal and then save the Cover Sheet. At the top of the saved Cover Sheet, you will see a blue information message with a link to the added Single Copy Document upload section. Additionally, if you scroll down to the Other Information section of the Cover Sheet, you will see a clickable link below the checkbox you selected, and this link will also navigate you to the associated upload screen for the specified Single Copy Document.

  What is a Deviation Authorization and how do I include one in my proposal? 

A Deviation Authorization permits the proposer exceptions to the PAPPG standard proposal preparation requirements, per PAPPG Chapter II.A.1  . On the Deviation Authorization text entry screen, the proposer can provide either the program solicitation number or the name and title of the NSF official who authorized the deviation and the date of the authorization.

  What is a Proprietary or Privileged Information document and when should it be included in my proposal?

Patentable ideas, trade secrets, privileged or confidential commercial or financial information, disclosure of which may harm the proposer, should be included in proposals only when such information is necessary to convey an understanding of the proposed project. The checkbox for Proprietary or Privileged Information must be checked on the Cover Sheet when the proposal contains such information. While NSF will make every effort to prevent unauthorized access to such material, the Foundation is not responsible or in any way liable for the release of such material. Such information may be included as a separate statement and must be submitted as a Single Copy Document. Please refer to PAPPG Chapter II.D.1.c   

  I have uploaded a Proprietary or Privileged Information document, but don't I see it in the print preview of my proposal?

A Proprietary or Privileged Information Single Copy Document is not included as part of the printed proposal (or on the print preview screen) and is not shared with reviewers. This Single Copy Document can only be seen in the official system of record after proposal submission.

  What is a Disclosure of Lobbying Activities document and when should it be included in my proposal? 

The checkbox for Disclosure of Lobbying Activities must be checked on the Cover Sheet if, pursuant to the Lobbying certification provided in the System for Award Management (SAM), submission of the Form SF LLL is required. The SF LLL form can be downloaded from the Disclosure of Lobbying Activities upload screen. For more information, refer to PAPPG Chapter I.G.2.    and PAPPG Chapter II.D.1.d.   

  What is the Special Exception to the Deadline Date Policy checkbox and when should it be used? 

In the case of a natural or anthropogenic event, or other reason that interferes with an organization's ability to meet a proposal submission deadline, proposers are instructed to check the Special Exception to the Deadline Date Policy checkbox on the NSF Cover Sheet and, if available, upload written approval from the cognizant NSF Program Officer. Note that checking this box and uploading a Nature of Natural or Anthropogenic Event document will allow the proposer to submit the proposal after the listed deadline date, but acceptance is still at the discretion of the Program Officer. Please see PAPPG Chapter I.F.3.    for more information.

  I have uploaded a Nature of Natural or Anthropogenic Event document but why don't I see it in the print preview of my proposal?

A Nature of Natural or Anthropogenic Event Single Copy Document is not included as part of the printed proposal (or on the print preview screen) and is not shared with reviewers. This Single Copy Document can only be seen in the official system of record after proposal submission.

  Can a Special Exception to the Deadline Date be added as part of a proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision? 

No, a special exception to the deadline date and the corresponding Nature of Natural or Anthropogenic Event Single Copy Document must be added prior to proposal submission. The Nature of Natural or Anthropogenic document can be viewed when executing a proposal file update (PFU)/budget revision but cannot be added through this mechanism after a proposal has been submitted.

  When is the Additional Single Copy Documents Category Used?

Other Single Copy Documents that are seen only by NSF and not included in the proposal seen by reviewers should be uploaded as Additional Single Copy Documents and include:

• AOR designation of a substitute negotiator
• Other documents as specified in the relevant funding opportunity
• Documents without their own separate section

  When is a Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan required and will the lead organization be notified if requested funding for a postdoctoral scholar(s) is added to a non-lead proposal or a preliminary proposal?

For a separately submitted collaborative full proposal, a Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan is required as part of a lead organization separately submitted collaborative proposal when funds are requested for postdoctoral scholars in the lead organization proposal budget or in a linked non-lead organization proposal budget. Refer to the program solicitation for separately submitted collaborative preliminary proposal requirements related to the Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan

The lead organization's PI, co-PI, and OAU will receive an email notifying them when requested funding for postdoctoral scholars is added for the first time or is removed entirely from the collaborative proposal set.

  When is a Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan required for a single submission full proposal with subaward or preliminary proposal?

For full single submission collaborative proposals (i.e., single submission proposal with subaward), a Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan is required when funds are requested for postdoctoral scholars in any of the proposal's budgets. Refer to the program solicitation for separately submitted collaborative preliminary proposal requirements related to the Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan.

In Progress Proposal Statuses

  = Has access

Submitted Proposal Statuses

Proposal file update/budget revision statuses.

Demo Site FAQs  

  What are the benefits of using the Research.gov proposal preparation demo site? 

The proposal preparation demo site provides the research community an opportunity to initiate and edit proposals as well as check compliance of uploaded proposal documents (e.g., Collaborators and Other Affiliations and Biographical Sketch) before preparing proposals in the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System. The demo site also is accessible by NSF staff.

  What can users do in the proposal preparation demo site? 

All demo site users are able to perform the proposal preparation functions that a PI is able to perform in the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System, such as initiating and editing proposals, uploading proposal documents, and adding budgets. The demo site does not support proposal submission and will not trigger any system-generated email notifications (e.g., link requests for separately submitted collaborative proposals).

Note that demo site proposals are not available in the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System, and information cannot be transferred between the demo site and the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System.

  How do I provide feedback about the proposal preparation demo site? 

The Give Feedback button is displayed on all demo site proposal pages for proposals created in the demo site. When this button is clicked, a new browser tab will open and displays the Research.gov Feedback page. Select the Proposal Preparation Demo Site option under Site Area to submit feedback about the demo site. Demo site feedback from users will help NSF improve the site, as well as identify potential enhancements to improve the user experience when preparing proposals in the Research.gov Proposal Submission System.

  How does the research community access the proposal preparation demo site?

External users can access the demo site by following these steps:

• Navigate to Research.gov .
• Click "Sign In" located at the top right of the Research.gov page.
• Sign in to Research.gov using your primary email address, NSF ID, your organization-issued credentials, or Login.gov credentials. (Note: Only InCommon Federation participants can use their organization-issued credentials to sign in to Research.gov. If you are signing in with your organization-issued credentials, you will be prompted to link your credentials to your NSF ID if they are not already linked. If you are signing in with Login.gov credentials, you will be prompted to link your credentials to your NSF ID if they are not already linked.)
• From the top menu bar, select Prepare and Submit Proposals, then select Demo Site: Prepare Proposals.
• From the tiles on the page, select the Prepare and Submit Proposals tile, then select Demo Site: Prepare Proposals.

  How do I access the demo site if I am a new researcher and don't have an NSF ID? 

You will first need to create an NSF account and obtain an NSF ID by clicking Register on the Research.gov homepage to be able to access the demo site. View the Register for a New NSF Account video tutorial for a walk-through of steps. Additional information about creating an NSF account is available on the Research.gov About Account Management page . Users with an existing NSF account (i.e., nine-digit NSF ID) will use that account to access the demo site. After signing in to Research.gov, you will land on the homepage, where there are two ways to access the demo site.

  I signed in to Research.gov with my NSF ID but I'm not affiliated with an organization and I don't have any user role(s). Will this be an issue in accessing the demo site?

No, you are able to access the demo site if you have an NSF ID and can sign in to Research.gov. All demo site users are given the PI role for demo site use only and are not required to obtain a special user role to access the demo site. All demo users have the National Science Foundation as their organization for purposes of the demo site. The demo site PI role will not be available in the user's NSF account profile for use on the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System.

  Will any of my user roles or affiliated organization(s) that I have in my NSF account profile be available to me in the demo site? 

The organization(s) that you are affiliated with in your NSF account profile will be incorporated when you are in the proposal preparation demo site, but the user role(s) that you have will not be available in the demo site. All users who access the demo site are given the role of PI, and unaffiliated users including NSF staff will be assigned National Science Foundation as their organization. Users with an affiliated organization in their NSF account profile will have that organization and the NSF organization incorporated in the demo site. All affiliated organizations will be included if the user is affiliated with multiple organizations.

  What user roles are supported in the proposal preparation demo site?

All demo site users have the PI role and can perform the same PI functions as in the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System. The Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow role must be specifically added to prepare a postdoctoral fellowship proposal in the demo site. The demo site does not include the OAU, SPO or AOR roles.

  If I add a co-PI or OAU to a proposal by entering the individual's NSF ID in the demo site, will they be able to access the proposal if they sign into the demo site?

Yes. Any individual added to a demo proposal as a co-PI or OAU by entering the individual's NSF ID will be able to access that proposal in the demo site via the In Progress Proposals section on the Proposal Preparation demo site homepage. The permissions and available functions for the co-PI and OAU in the demo site are identical to the permissions and available functions for the co-PI and OAU in the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System.

  If I share proposal access (i.e., view, edit, and/or submit) with an SPO/AOR on the demo site, will the SPO/AOR be able to view, edit, and/or submit the proposal?

No. All demo site users have the PI role and can perform the same PI functions as in the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System. You will be able to go through the process of sharing proposal access (view, edit and/or submit) with the SPO/AOR, but the SPO/AOR will not be able to view, edit, and/or submit the proposal since SPO and AOR roles and proposal submission are not supported in the demo site. In addition, no system-generated email notifications will be created or sent to the SPO/AOR in the demo site.

  How do I prepare a postdoctoral fellowship proposal in the demo site?

You must first have the Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow role to initiate a postdoctoral fellowship proposal in the demo site. A Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow role is different than a PI role. Postdoctoral fellowship funding opportunities will only display and be available for selection for users preparing the proposal as a Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow.

After signing in to the Research.gov proposal preparation demo site, a message box will display with demo site information. From within the message box, click the 'Add a New Role' hyperlink. Proceed to complete the required information as appropriate. Once the Proposed Postdoctoral Fellow role has been added, allow up to 60 minutes for the system to process the request. Then you will need to sign out of Research.gov and sign back in again before initiating and preparing a postdoctoral fellowship proposal.

  Will I be able to add real subaward organization(s) in a demo site proposal?

Yes. You can add real subaward organization(s) to any proposal that’s created in the demo site. However, no system-generated email notifications will be created or sent to personnel affiliated to the subaward organization(s) when their organizations are added to your demo proposal.

  Are system-generated email notifications going to be sent as a result of performing certain actions in the demo site?

No. All system-generated email notifications are disabled in the demo site.

  Why can't I submit proposals in the demo site?

The proposal preparation demo site currently only supports the initiation, preparation, and editing of non-collaborative and collaborative proposals.

  How long will my demo proposal be available in the demo site? 

Proposals created in the demo site will be available for six months and then will be deleted by NSF. Neither NSF nor users will be able to access deleted demo proposal data. If your demo proposal was created within the previous six months and your proposal data is not visible, please contact the NSF IT Service Desk at 1-800-381-1532 (7:00 AM - 9:00 PM ET; Monday - Friday except federal holidays) or via  [email protected] for assistance.

  Are proposal compliance checks enabled in the demo site?

Yes. All compliance checks that are enabled in the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System will also apply to proposals in the demo site. The demo site can be used to check compliance of uploaded proposal documents (e.g., Collaborators and Other Affiliations and Biographical Sketch). Refer to the Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals    page for the current automated proposal checks.

  Are all proposal types and submission types available on the demo site? 

Yes, all proposal types and submission types in the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System are also in the demo site. The demo site is a replica of the actual system. View the Proposal Submission Capabilities for details.

  Does the proposal data I create in the demo site appear or transfer into the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System?

No. Proposal data created in the demo site will not be displayed in and cannot be transferred to the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System. Proposal data created in the demo site is only available in the demo site.

  Will other users in the demo site be able to see the proposals I create in the demo site?

The only time other users will be able to view or edit any proposals that you create in the demo site is if you add them to the proposal as a co-PI or OAU by entering their NSF ID. If you don't add any users to the proposal, no one will else will be able to access, view, or edit your demo proposal.

  Can I link lead and non-lead proposals that are created in the demo site to lead and non-lead proposals in the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System?

No. If you attempt to link a lead/non-lead proposal created in the demo site to a lead/non-lead proposal that was created in the actual Research.gov Proposal Submission System, you will receive an error and will not be able to link the proposals together. You are only able to link lead and non-lead proposals together that were created in the demo site and that are affiliated with different organizations.

Please click the following links to view videos which provide assistance with using functionality in the application:

  How to Manage Personnel and Senior Personnel Documents (3:01 minutes)

  How to Work on a Proposal Budget (2:30 minutes)

  How to Upload a Collaborators and Other Affiliations Document (1:34 minutes)

Research.gov Proposal Demo (16:58 minutes)

• Setting up a proposal
• Uploading a document and compliance messaging
• Preparing proposal file update (PFU)/budget revisions

  Research.gov Proposal Demo (22:49 minutes) 

• Preparing a letter of intent
• Preliminary proposal and accomplishment-based renewal proposal submission types
• Conference, Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI), and Planning proposal types

  Initiating a New Proposal

  Adding or Removing a co-PI and Other Senior Personnel

  Swapping PIs and co-PIs from Same Organization

  Adding or Removing an OAU

  Sharing Proposal and Proposal File Update/Budget Revision Access with SPO/AOR

  Entering Proposal Budgets

  Adding or Removing Subaward Organizations

  Adding or Removing Collaborators and Other Affiliations

  Deleting an In Progress Letter of Intent, Proposal, or Proposal File Update/Budget Revision

  Submitting Letters of Intent and Proposals

  Preparing Proposal File Updates

  Preparing Budget Revisions

  Submitting Proposal File Updates/Budget Revisions

  Preparing Updated Current and Pending (Other) Support

  Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov

  Postdoctoral Fellowship Reference Letter Submission (MSPRF and PRFB only)

NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG)

FAQs on Proposal Preparation and Award Administration Related to the PAPPG

NSF Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support pages

Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals page

FastLane Decommissioning page

Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov page

Research.gov About Account Management page

Research.gov Account Management – Reviewer page

Research.gov About Proposal Preparation and Submission page

Research.gov Research.gov About Supplemental Funding Request Preparation and Submission page

Research.gov Proposal Preparation Demo Site (User prompted to sign into Research.gov if not already signed in)

Research.gov Supplemental Funding Request Demo Site (User prompted to sign into Research.gov if not already signed in)

Resources for LaTeX Users: https://github.com/nsf-open/nsf-proposal-latex-samples

SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae