The way I write my proposal

Yoke Khin Yap

Department of Physics

Michigan Technological University

FW5850, Oct 13, 2005

Contents:

1) Why to write a proposal (motivation)?

2) Why should you learn to write?

3) My learning process

4) What should you know before writing a proposal ?

5) The way I write my proposal

Obtain support for your graduate study

Scholarships

Fellowships

Research grants, etc.

2) Why should you learn to write ?

To sell your ideas, convince the readers, and obtain the supports that you want

1) Motivation for writing a proposal ?

3) My learn process

Proposal for a MONBUSHO Scholarship: Graduate study in Japan

(First formal proposal and succeeded: Full support for my whole Ph.D. program)

Proposal for my postdoctoral fellowship (NEDO) in Japan

Proposal for my postdoctoral fellowship (JSPS) in Japan

(Second formal proposal and succeeded)

(Third formal proposal and succeeded)

Proposal for my faculty position at Michigan Tech

(Fourth formal proposal and succeeded)

Proposal for my Research Excellent Fund (REF) at Michigan Tech

(Fifth formal proposal and succeeded)

3) My learn process (Continue..)

Submitted 18 proposals to federal agencies in 5 years

NSF: 11

DOE: 2

NASA: 1

NIH: 1

DOA: 2

DARPA: 1

1 funded (~0.5 million)

1 funded (~0.2 million)

1 funded (~2.0 million)

Other funded proposals (out of 6):

2 NASA/MSGC undergraduate fellowships,

1 user project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (DOE)

I’m still learning………………………..

How long do you expect them to read your proposal ?

Who will be reading (Know your audiences / readers) ?

Technical background:

4) What should you know before writing a proposal ?

5 minutes or 50 minutes?

Can you make them understand you at this time frame ?

Can you convince them at this time frame ?

Expert? General Audience?

5) The way I write a proposal?

• Tell them what you are going to tell them at the very beginning

Abstract and Introduction: make them know what to expect

• Organize in sections: list them out before start telling your story

• Remind them what you have told them and what will be the next

Make them know what to expect

Readers get lost after a long journey

General rules that work for a talk or a proposal

• Wrap up your story

What have you trying convinced them?

Summary:

1) Why writing a proposal (motivation)?

2) Why should you learn to write?

3) My learn process

4) What should you know before writing a proposal ?

5) The way I write my proposal

Keep trying

Enjoy Writing