1. AFG Enterprise Proposal Writing Tips Spring 2006 Semester02/22/2006

2. Proposal Writing Valuable skill for all engineering students –Can use to apply for scholarships –Can use to apply to graduate school / fellowships –Can use on industrial jobs to get funding for your projects –Can use in engineering enterprise courses

3. JMK at MTU Teaching 25% Service 15% Research 60% –Advising graduate & undergraduate students –Writing papers –Writing proposals 55% not funded 45% funded 2 projects renewed for additional funding Longer (15 page single-spaced) proposals have taken over 1 month of my time to write

4. JMK Experience on Proposal Timeline –3-6 months before due: get idea –2-4 months before: find agency –2 months before: start writing, contact MTU research services office –1 month before: get support letters –2 weeks before: submit proposal –3-6 months after: find out if I won –6-12 months after: start project! –18-48 months after: write reports!

5. Proposal Writing Most important tip: follow the rules for the proposal solicitation you are responding to –Ex: National Science Foundation “will not review proposals that do not address the two merit criteria or do not follow the formatting instructions in the Grant Proposal Guide” –Put in section titles that exactly match those of the rules (easier for reviewers to give you points in that area) –JMK’s NSF Panel Experience / funding rates

6. Proposal Writing Step 1: Project Definition (sound familiar) –What is the purpose of this project? –What work do I want to get paid to do? –What are the goals of the project? What do I need to do to meet the above project goals? –What will be the results or outcomes of the project? –How long will it take to do the project?

7. Proposal Writing Step 2: Find Funding Source –Look for foundation centers Rockefeller Brothers Fund – Wind Team 3M Foundation – JMK research project –Look for computer databases Communityofscience.com Fundingopps.com Others? –Any personal contacts? MTU connections with TACOM helped bring in 1 st AFG project –Look for more than one source!

8. Proposal Writing Step 2: Find Funding Source –Look for common goals of the funding agency and your proposed project Educating students / public about Alternative Energy Basic & Applied research in Alternative Energy –Prepare a ½ to 1 page “white paper” describing your idea –Have your “boss” review it (AFG advisors) –Move on to step 3…

9. Proposal Writing Step 3: Contact Funding Agency –Find out if they will look at a “white paper” to see if it meets their goals before having to write the full proposal –If satisfactory, move on… –Make sure you have latest copy of the proposal rules and due dates –Contact JMK who will inform MTU research services (MTU admin. Building) of the name of the sponsor, due date, and proposal rules

10. Proposal Writing Step 4: Read the Proposal Rules –Use a highlighter –Is MTU eligible? –Find review / grading criteria –Email questions to program manager Step 5: Start Writing the Proposal (more later) Step 6: Re-Read the Proposal Rules –Is your proposal satisfying the requirements?

11. Proposal Writing Step 7: Writing the Proposal –Be organized –Be concise – many reviewers will stop after your one page summary of a 15 page proposal! –Provide a reasonable budget

12. Proposal Writing Step 7: Sections in the Proposal –Statement of purpose / need (why is it important, why should it be funded?) –Project goals –Research methods and approach (how will you solve this important problem? How is your approach unique?) –Project objectives

13. Proposal Writing Step 7: Sections in the Proposal –Project activities –Project deliverables –Timeline –Additional sections as required –Budget –Supporting material / appendix

14. Proposal Writing Step 8: Budget –Who will do the project? –How much will they be paid? –Fringe benefits –Do you need new equipment (> $2500) ? –Do you need supplies (< $2500) –Any travel? –University facilities / administrative costs Step 9: Proposal approval and submission