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Proposal Writing for Competitive Grant Systems

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Presentation on theme: "Proposal Writing for Competitive Grant Systems"— Presentation transcript:

1 Proposal Writing for Competitive Grant Systems
Presentation made to teaching staff of Gulu University By Prof. Joseph Okello-Onen

2 Overview No fixed format for all project proposals
The scope and extent is largely dependent on the size & complexity of particular undertaking All project proposals seek to; Define the problem & context in which it occurs Give an account of what has been done (and is being done) about the problem

3 Overview What the project intends to do about the problem;
Its strategy & the merits of the strategy Methodology of implementing that strategy Activities to be undertaken (including duration & by who) The resources required to undertake the activities The expected outputs Means of monitoring project progress & verification of outputs Mechanisms for evaluating the entire project

4 Guidelines Title of proposal Name (s) Addresses of applicants
Should be appropriate & clearly describe the proposed study Should be short, precise including buzz words Name (s) See standard formats in publications Addresses of applicants

5 Guidelines Executive summary/Abstract
Not longer than one page & should briefly summarize; The problem to be addressed & its significance Purposes & objectives Research process Dissemination strategy Expected impact of the study Introduction or Context or Preamble Socio-economic, political, cultural etc. environment Issues & trends

6 Guidelines Background and Justification
Should clearly provide problem statement or definition & should explain; current status of the problem what you hope to find out why it would be worth knowing who would benefit & how show that you are familiar with previous research concerning the topic e.g those carried out in Africa that you are addressing a gap in existing knowledge or practice demonstrate that you are aware of relevant socio-economic, political, cultural or gender considerations present the findings & recommendations of relevant research that you have undertaken previously explain how the proposed study would extend these points

7 Guidelines Background Project rationale/justification The Project
Problem definition Current status of the problem Project rationale/justification Analysis of alternatives Project strategy Relevance of the project Socio-economic & environmental benefits of the project The Project If there is need for making a purpose statement, specify the intended contribution of the study to knowledge and/or practice Project objectives (Broad & specific) List the specific results or outcomes that you intend to achieve Enumerate what you intend to learn or demonstrate through your investigation Project phasing Project area

8 Proposal guideline Hypothesis or Research questions
An anticipated relationship between two or more variables that you intend to test Alternatively, it may be more appropriate to identify a set of specific questions that you intend to answer Methodology Should demonstrate that you will be able to produce the information needed to test your hypotheses and/or answer your research questions & that you have good reasons for the methods & procedures you intend to use

9 Proposal guideline Methodology Explain & justify;
the overall research design the selection of research site (s) the variables to be studied & how they will be measured the sampling (size, selection criteria & procedures) the data collection processes & tools (append draft questionnaires, interview guidelines or other protocols, if possible) the data analysis scheme & standard package to be used (when applicable) the difficulties or constraints that you anticipate & how you plan to overcome them Caution: Your justification of key aspects of your methodology i.e. design, variables, sample & analysis---links with your hypotheses and/or research questions

10 Proposal guideline Expected outputs Project organization & management
Responsibility & chain of command Interrelationship of the various project components Project inputs/Resource needs Human resource input (available and/or needed) Infrastructural needs (available and/or needed) Financial inputs (Budget) (available and/or needed) Review mechanisms Monitoring mechanisms Reporting mechanisms Evaluation mechanisms

11 Proposal guideline Outstanding issues Appendices/Annexes
Assumptions Risks and their analysis Appendices/Annexes These may include; Map showing project area (s) Schedule of activities showing duration, expected outputs & responsibilities Envirogram showing the various project parties & how they relate Logical framework (logframe) showing project goal, objectives, outputs & activities (the indicators of these & means of verification, assumptions & pre-conditions) Others (where applicable) References

12 Proposal guideline The above guideline is more suited to research proposal For developmental/commercial projects, other details would be required; Production & marketing structure Financial returns (cost-recovery) Additional background information e.g. income distribution & poverty

13 Requirements of a proposal
Appropriate size is 10 – 15 pages Must address knowledge gap Must be problem-oriented Must be client-oriented Indicate the extent to which different stakeholders are involved; Research questions Field research method Implementation

14 Requirements of a proposal (Continued)
Assessment of potential economic impact (where applicable) How environmental issues will be addressed (where applicable) Consider gender-related issues (where relevant) Emphasize whether research is multi-disciplinary & specify the linkages

15 Requirements of a proposal (Continued)
Research proposal should contribute to; Technology formulation Commercial application Uptake by end-users e.g. Farmers Indicate how research outputs will be disseminated i.e. effective technology uptake pathways Training component should be spelled out (where applicable)

16 Requirements of a proposal (Continued)
Proposal with survey component should indicate; Parameters to be measured Procedures Questionnaires Summary budget should be made tailored to workplan Detailed workplan should be prepared with key physical target indicators A logframe may be included in the proposal (where applicable)

17 Logframe It is a tool for the preparation, monitoring & evaluation of projects It is also useful for analyzing the components of a project & the logical linkages between means & ends; between project inputs & objectives project activities & outputs broader purposes & ultimate goal It is a useful framework for participatory planning & review of a project, involving the project teams as well as expected beneficiaries & other interested parties. It can act as a framework for other planning, monitoring & evaluation techniques e.g cost-benefit analysis, checklists, or external reviews Should be prepared before implementation begins & it should be regularly reviewed & updated Consists of a 4-by-4 matrix

18 Logframe Narrative Summary Measurable Indicators Means of Verification
Important Assumptions Goal Purpose Outputs Activities

19 Logframe Narrative Summary
A brief statement of each of the project’s goals, purposes, outputs, activities & inputs The Goal: is the ultimate objective of a programme & is usually something like “increasing farm incomes”. A portfolio of projects normally shares a common goal The Purpose: is a statement of the purpose or purposes of the project. It describes the desired impact of the project i.e. “Increasing production”

20 Logframe Narrative Summary
The Outputs: are what the project aims to accomplish – the specific results for which the project manager can be held directly accountable i.e. “release of a maize variety or training of a group of farmers” Activities: are the actions necessary to achieve each output Inputs: define what is needed for implementing the project i.e. personnel, funds, facilities & management procedures

21 Logframe Measurable Indicators
Ways by which research progress can be monitored & evaluated e.g. National seed company producing 200 Mt of certified maize annually by 12/2006 Means of Verification To verify what has taken place at each level (data to be gathered, sources, & techniques for data collection & analysis) e.g. research reports, publications etc. Critical Assumptions Assumptions for delivering inputs & achieving objectives at each level


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