Why Proposal Writing is Important?

Martha N. Hill, PhD, RN, FAAN Dean Emerita and

Professor Nursing, Medicine and Public Health

Hae-Ra Han, PhD, RN, FAAN Director, PhD, Program

School of Nursing Johns Hopkins University

With Appreciation to Marie T. Nolan, RN, PhD, FAAN Professor Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Hae-Ra Han, PhD, RN, FAAN Associate Professor Former Director, PhD, Program

Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

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Vocabulary Proposal: a description of the research to be carried out Grant: a commitment by a funding source to provide the money to support a research project Application: a request in writing for funding Submission – the written request for funding sent to the funder Grant writing: synonimous with proposal writing

Proposal Writing and its Purpose

• The process of writing a proposal to apply for

funding provided by an institution, organization, or government.

• Essential skill for independent researcher. • A way to accomplish research goals, solve

problems. • Opportunity to refine research methods with

expert reviewer input. Koppelman & Holloway (2012)

Team Effort

The Proposal Development and Implementation Process

• Plan, plan, plan - discuss and agree • Develop a project plan • Target the proposal to the funding organization • Write a concise, compelling and reasonable

proposal • Conduct the research • Manage the grant • Report results to funder • Disseminate findings

Preparing to Write a Proposal

• Consider long-term research goals • Identify funding organization • Identify and invite collaborators • Collect relevant information: literature,

government reports, pilot data or findings from previous studies)

• Organize computer storage of documents/data

• Agree on who will write what • Develop a timeline (check funding guidelines)

Getting Started

• What is the problem/issue of concern? • What is the impact of this? • Who is affected by it? • How are they affected? • Who else has addressed this issue? • Who cares and why? • So what?

Developing Your Idea

• Does it address a real need or problem? • What kind of impact will it have? • WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? • What is the gap in knowledge? In practice? • WHAT evidence do you have that this is a

real problem? (literature, statistics, test scores, your own research)

• WHO is affected by the problem? • WHERE does the problem exist? • WHEN do you plan to take on the project? • HOW do you plan on solving the problem?

Types of Proposals

• Letter of intent (see if your idea matches funding agency’s priorities)

• A 1-2 page proposal (usual for foundations and corporations)

• A full 10-15 page proposal

Find out what the funder wants and follow their guidelines!

Developing a Proposal

• Once you have an idea, develop a plan – Understand the problem – Identify solutions – Indicate expected results and benefits of a new

solution – Identify tasks to accomplish the new solution – List resources needed (personnel and non-

personnel) – Define outcome measures – Invite critique of your proposal

Davidson (2012)

What shall I research?

Developing and refining your research question is crucial

Guiding Principles

• The problem is important • Outcomes are unsatisfactory • Care is inappropriate • Interventions are inadequate, missing • The cost of care is high • More research is needed

Developing Your Plan

• Does it address a real need or problem? • What kind of impact will it have?

• WHAT is the problem? WHAT evidence do

you have that this is a real problem? (literature, statistics, test scores, your own research)

• WHO is affected by the problem? • WHERE does the problem exist? • WHEN do you plan to take on the project? • HOW do you plan on solving the problem?

Outline of a Proposal • Cover letter (optional, depending on agency) • Summary (1-2 paragraphs, depending on guidelines) • Introduction • Problem Statement • Study Aims & hypotheses • Significance • Methods • Outcomes • Personnel • Budget • Budget Justification • Supporting documents

Key Points • Significance

How will scientific knowledge be advanced?

• Approach Is the study design appropriate? Are the methods well developed?

• Innovation Is the study novel in concept and approach? Are the study aims original?

Key Points con’t • Is the proposed study

Achievable Ethical Affordable Worthwhile and Designed to answer the study questions , address the study aims, and test the hypotheses

Remember

• No proposal, no money • No money, no study • No study, no data • No data, no money • No study, no data-based publications • No scholarly and data-based

publications, no research career • THIS IS WHY PROPOSAL WRITING

IS IMPORTANT!

Follow the

instructions !