Contact Information:

• Brenda Tschanz
  Executive Secretary
  Internal Awards
  Telephone: 403-220-2461
  tschanz@ucalgary.ca

URGC Proposal Writing Tips:

Start Early

• Obtain the current application form and guidelines
• Familiarize yourself with the information in the program guidelines. Compare your project with the purposes/objectives of the program.
• Discuss your project with colleagues who may have applied to the same program or who are known to be successful proposal writers.
  

The Proposal

• Complete every section of the application and address any specific questions or content requirement. If a section of the application does not apply, explain the reason for not responding.
• Use clear and concise writing style. Material should be well-organized, logically presented, clearly sectioned and cross-referenced when applicable.
• Define the project's purpose and objectives (e.g. background, problem statement, objectives/questions/hypothesis)
• Describe the project methodology (e.g. design, data gathering strategies, data analysis strategies, explain any issues re: reliability, validity, expected outcomes
• Avoid the use of highly technical writing and jargon. Do not assume that reviewers will be experts in your specific field, that they will be familiar with your work, or that the significance of the project will be self-evident.
• Take into account any comments from previous reviews and integrate your responses into the proposal.
• Try to anticipate questions that adjudicators may ask and prepare your text accordingly.
• Provide an up-to-date bibliography.
• Append all supporting documents, i.e. questionnaires, quotes, etc. Certifications (ethics or animal care) may follow if not yet obtained by application deadline.
  

The Budget

• Ensure that budget items are eligible and realistic.
• Justify and clearly link all budget items to the project description.
  

Pitfalls

• Project description is not well specified and unclear.
• Research methodology not clearly spelled out.
• Use of jargon.
• Data analysis plan not provided or unclear.
• Interview process (if applicable) not detailed - who will be interviewed, why these people are selected?
• Travel plans not spelled out - choice of archives, libraries, field research site?
• Need for budget items is unclear.
• Proposal is a continuation of a research project previously funded by URGC.