A proposal may include various components depending on the sponsor’s conditions. When organizing your proposal, ensure that formatting requirements are followed, and section headers are used and in order, as outlined in the program solicitation. It is important to keep your reviewers in mind to ensure that they can easily navigate through your project plans.
Table of Contents
- Abstract or Project Summary
- Project Description/Research Plan/Statement of Work/ Narrative
- Biographical Sketch
- Budget and Budget Justification
Below is a brief description of common components a sponsor may require:
Abstract or Project Summary
The abstract or summary of the proposal is a crucial part of the application. It is the first item that most reviewers read about the substance of a project. The abstract should make the best case possible in the allotted space about what the project will accomplish; the needs it is addressing, how the project is compelling, innovative, or impactful; and in what way it is pioneering or groundbreaking. We recommend that you prepare your abstract only after completing the proposal. Lifting text from the proposal verbatim is not recommended.
Project Description/Research Plan/Statement of Work/ Narrative
Typically, this is the bulk of your proposal and can contain the proposed research, the impact of the project, the research methodology, and how the project aligns with the sponsor’s goals. Other sections of a proposal narrative may include; a needs statement, list of qualified personnel, goals and objectives, evaluation plans, and project timelines. Be sure to reference the program solicitation and familiarize yourself with the required sections.
Most proposals go through a preliminary review to ensure that your proposal is complete and adheres to all format requirements. Write and organize your application so the reviewer can readily grasp what you are proposing.
Biographical Sketch
Biographical sketches (or biosketch) are required for key personnel. Each agency has its own guidelines with specific instructions of what information should be provided, how it is to be organized, and specific page limitations. Ensure that your biosketch is updated to meet the latest requirements as sponsors tend to revise their specifications frequently.
Budget and Budget Justification
The budget contains cost estimates for the entire project period. Costs should be allowable, allocable, reasonable, and consistent. The budget will be divided into two parts: indirect costs and direct costs. Amounts budgeted must be consistent with CSUCI, CSU, and sponsor policies and procedures. Unlike the abstract or project summary, we recommend the budget be developed in tandem with the project description, to ensure both critical elements are well coordinated and support one another in demonstrating the importance, effectiveness and value of the proposed project.
If your budget includes a subaward to another institution, you will likely need to include the partnering institution’s budget and budget justification.
All budgeted costs should be justified. The best strategy is to request a reasonable amount of money to do the work.
- Reviewers look for reasonable costs and will judge whether your request is justified by your aims and methods.
- Reviewers will consider the time allocated for each senior/key personnel and will judge whether the figures are consistent with the reviewer’s expectations, based on the research proposed.
- Reviewers will expect the budget to match the proposed scope of work. You should avoid including costs that cannot be adequately justified. The budget justification is a description of each budgeted cost and helps the potential sponsor to understand the thought process and calculations behind the costs proposed.