Informal Proposal

A written description of the project - called an informal proposal or prospectus - should be developed in order to identify:

  • the problem which the project addresses and its importance; and
  • the need for this particular project as a significant response to the problem.

Even if you have not yet developed an informal proposal, it is a good idea to become acquainted with the Office of Sponsored Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities (grants@uwlax.edu) in 145 Main Hall (608-785-8007). This office can provide you with helpful information and suggestions for your project early in the planning stages, and the more they know about you and your proposed research, the more help they can offer.

An informal description of the project's intent is valuable as a first step in defining the project. It is also very useful in eliciting feedback and constructive criticism from your colleagues, and it will help the Office of Sponsored Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities to suggest and/or identify appropriate extramural funding sources. Finally, it is an important vehicle for direct preliminary contact with potential funding sources.

The Office of Sponsored Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities has compiled lists of databases, containing both federal and non-federal funding sources, which can be accessed and searched by prospective PIs/PDs.

An informal proposal is useful for two reasons: it allows you the opportunity to concentrate on the main features of a project and provides the backbone of information requested in a final proposal by most funding agencies. It is also strongly recommended that the proposal author(s) ask one (or more) colleague(s) to provide critique on the informal proposal.

Description of Project

A project description states exactly what you intend to do. Very often this includes a statement of the problem, a statement of the need, or both. Make sure the statement of need is consistent with the project objectives and methodology.

Project Goals

Project goals are generalized statements about proposed accomplishments of the project. "General" is not intended to mean imprecise or vague, but rather, broad-based.

Project Objectives

Statements of precise outcomes, or specific objectives, which can be measured to determine actual accomplishments.

Implications of the Project

Implications of the project lists reasons why you want to do the work and what the value of the project will be. Even if you want to be tentative about these areas at this point, you should consider possible results or impact. The agency wants to know why it should invest in your project, although exact results cannot be predicted at this stage.

Plan of Action, Project Design, Methodology

The plan of action is a narrative description of the order of events for approaching the problem and the methodology for gathering and using the information. Specifically, you need to describe actual program activities, personnel utilization, and data compilation.

Proposed Time Frame for the Project

Provide a reasonable starting and ending time for the project. For multi-year projects supply a year-by-year breakdown and indicate what can be accomplished at the end of each year. An agency might be interested in funding for the first year, for example, but not for the following years.

Budget and Personnel

All budget considerations in the proposal development process should be discussed with Sponsored Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities Officer ((608) 785-8007 or agarwal.vije@uwlax.edu). Facilities and administrative (indirect) costs, fringe benefit rates, stipends, and salaries should be consistent with current University rates and policies. University travel regulations and allowances must be reflected in the budget.