Developing Your Idea

Proposal Planning Worksheet

The proposal planning worksheet serves as a tool for investigators seeking to secure external funding for an idea. The worksheet is designed to assist with:

• Formulating and refining the idea
• Identifying collaborators
• Connecting the project to the sponsor's mission, vision and stated priorities
• Conducting a funding search

Literature Reviews

Most proposals will require you to conduct a literature review, which will usually fall under the "background" section of the research narrative. Literature reviews are different than most academic papers in terms of style and substance and should lead the reader into asking, "Why should this researcher conduct the proposed project?"  

The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill provides a great overview of developing a literature review, with tips on organization, writing and content.  

Planning Your Application

Please contact the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs (sponsoredresearch@hope.edu), to obtain proposal templates for:

• NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA)
• NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program 
• NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program

Additional resources are available for proposals in which institutional and/or departmental background data or text is required.  

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) offers online resources to principal investigators/project directors. While some of the content is geared towards NIH applicants, NIAID has provided thoughtful advice in preparing for a submission to any external sponsor.