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The exact format and requirements for a research proposal can vary slightly depending on the type
of research being proposed and the specific demands of the institution you plan to submit your
proposal to, but there are a few basics that are almost always needed. Overall, a good research
proposal takes time to write and must identify what the proposed research will address and why the
proposed research is so important. Here is a brief explanation of the sections needed to complete a
standard research proposal as well as the writing timeline you should strive to follow.

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Part One of Two:

Sections of a Proposal

1 Come up with a title for your proposal. Your title will vary based on the type of research
you’re doing, but in general, you’ll want it to be concise and descriptive. After reading your
title, your readers should know what to expect from the proposal and be interested enough to
read on. You’ll also want it to be clear and accurate enough that your proposal when come up
during searches for your research topic.[1]

• For example, try a short, informative title like, “Medieval Plagues and the Movement Towards
Humanism,” or “The Negative Impact of Alcohol on Liver Function.”
• Avoid phrases like “An Investigation of…” or “A Review of the…”
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2 Create a title page. A title page introduces the title of your proposal, your name, and the
primary institution you are connected to.

• Each sponsoring agency may specify a format for the title page. If an agency does not, apply
the APA style.
• Include a "running head" in the upper left corner. The running head will appear on all pages of
the document and should be a shortened version of the title.
• Include the page number in the upper right corner. The page number should appear on all
pages of the proposal.
• Center the full title of your research proposal roughly 1/3 of the way down the page. Double
space it, and immediately below the title, insert your name. Below your name, list the
institution you are affiliated with and the names and affiliations of any co-investigators you’re
working with. In some styles, you may include their contact information as well.
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3 Summarize the proposal in your abstract. The abstract is a summary of the problem
addressed in your proposal. Your proposed solution and objectives should also be included,
along with your projected funding requirements.

• Center the word "Abstract" at the top of the page.

• Begin the text of your abstract directly below the word "Abstract." Do not indent the
paragraph.
• The text of you abstract will usually be between 150 and 250 words.

4 List keywords that will come up in your proposal. Choose 4-5 keywords that capture the
main points of your paper, suggesting what the topic is about as well as terms that are closely
related. Keywords should be phrases that many readers might be searching for. Choosing the
right keywords will ensure that your proposal shows up in search engines for readers who could
benefit from it.

• For example, if your proposal is about heart diseases, you might use phrases like circulatory
system, blood, heart attack, etc.
• Your keywords can be single words, or phrases of 2-4 words.
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5 Include a table of contents. Longer research proposals often include a table of contents on
the third page, listing each major section of your paper.

• Brief proposals that only span a few pages do not often need a table of contents. Leaving out
a table of contents is common, but depends on the type of research you’re doing and the
institution you’re submitting the proposal to.
• Especially long proposals may also need a list of illustrations, figures, or tables.
• List all major parts and divisions of the proposal.
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6 Move into your introduction. The introduction should contain "Statement of Problem,"
"Purpose of Research," and "Significance of Research" or “Background and Significance”
sections.

• Restate and center the title of your paper before moving into your introduction. Include a
quick note about the topic being discussed and a definition of the theory from which your
proposed research will be based.
• Write "Statement of Problem" before moving into a paragraph detailing the problem. When
writing this part of the introduction, seek to answer the question: why does this research need
to be conducted and what new issues does this research raise?
• Type "Purpose of Study" before writing this section of the introduction. Identify the goal of the
study in one precise terms.
• Type "Significance of Research." In the paragraph below, answer why the area of research is
important and identify the type of research or analysis proposed.
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7 Provide background in the introduction. Identify the research problem and show why the
work needs to be continued.

• If desired, you can break this section into multiple subsections.

• Under a header reading "Research Question" or "Research Hypothesis," describe the
relationship between variables in the research or predict the relationship between variables.
This essentially identifies the research problem.
• Under a header reading "Definition of Terms," define the central ideas that will be utilized in
the proposed research.
• Also provide evidence supporting your competence or expertise in the field.

8 Write a Literature Review section to contextualize your research. In this section, you’ll
show your readers that you’re aware of current and past research in your topic and
demonstrate that your research will make a significant and substantial contribution to it. You’ll give
credit to other researchers who have laid the groundwork, evaluate and synthesize their work, and
differentiate your own research.[2]

• Don’t turn this section into a list or a bland summary. Sum up existing research in a story-like
manner that draws readers in while exposing the hole that your research will attempt to fill.
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9 Describe the proposed research. This section is the heart of the proposal and should
include all information about your proposed methodology or approach.

• This section can also be titled "Methodology."

• Provide a complete explanation of your proposed research. Address the explanation to
experts in the field rather than laymen.
• The set up and information in this section will depend on whether your research is qualitative
and quantitative. You’ll likely have subsections like "Research Design," "Instrumentation,"
"Data Collection and Analysis Procedures." You may include information about what you will
do to protect the rights of human subjects, if necessary, under a section called "Protection of
Human Rights.” Other possible subsections might include “Rigor,” “Neutrality,” “Consistency,”
and “Applicability.”
• You should also demonstrate your knowledge of alternative methods, while making the case
that your approach is the most effective way to tackle your research question.
• Be realistic about what you hope to accomplish, clear about your focus, and explicit about
everything the research relies on. The description should also include a detailed schedule of
the proposed work and thorough about all groundwork and materials needed.
• Also include information about sample size and target populations, if applicable.
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10 Describe relevant institutional resources. If you are planning this research with
institutional background, include a "Description of Relevant Institutional Resources" section
to describe what your institution can offer.

• Identify information like the institution's past competence or contributions within the field of
research, the university's supportive services, or the institution's research facilities.
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11 List references. Include a separate "References" page detailing all the references you
have used thus far in identifying the problem and forming a research hypothesis.
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12 Identify the personnel. This section should contain biographical information about the
main contributors to the research.

• Note that this section is not always included, especially for shorter proposals.
• State the expertise and responsibilities of each contributor.

13 Include appendices, if necessary. Appendices are common to most types of research

proposal. They include any supporting documents that are necessary for readers to
understand the proposal. You’ll often refer to your appendices throughout the proposal, giving
readers a chance to flip to them and read them over.
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14 Project a budget. Indicate the anticipated costs you need the funding source to meet and
specify items being paid for by other funding sources.

• Each cost should include justifying information.

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Part Two of Two:

Writing Timeline
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1 Take several months to prepare your research proposal. A good research proposal can
take up to six months to complete. Do not wait until several days before the due date to
begin.
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2 Prewrite during Phase Ia. This stage should be performed with 14 to 26 weeks remaining
until the deadline.

• At 26 weeks, review administrative requirements for the foundations and organizations you
plan to submit your proposal to. Double-check due dates and submission requirements.
• At 23 to 25 weeks, create a one to two page preliminary statement defining your proposed
research.
• If working with an adviser or colleagues, present this short version of your proposal at 23
weeks. Use any feedback you receive to further focus your research in week 22.
• Research the context, history, and background of your research problem at 21 weeks.
• At 19 weeks, write a two to three page document exploring questions and possible
methodological approaches.
• Contact experts in the field at 17 weeks to learn about the feasibility and relevance of each
potential methodological approach.
• Continue your research during week 16 and refine your research question by week 14.
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3 Perform early administrative tasks in Phase Ib. This portion of your preparation should be
completed 13 to 20 weeks before the deadline.

• At 20 weeks, identify and contact any relevant sources of information, including experts,
archives, and organizations.
• Begin researching your budget needs by 18 weeks and your protocol process by 14 weeks.
• Request any necessary transcripts by 13 weeks.
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4 Focus your writing and administration in Phase II. This portion should be completed
between the 8 and 13 week marks prior to your deadline.

• Create a single 5-page document containing your research question, framework, and
proposed research design by week 13.
• Gather any additional data needed to complete a draft during week 12.
• Reconnect with collaborators and organizations. Determine which will be most helpful.
• Add the remaining details needed to complete your draft. Use the above guidelines or
guidelines provided by the provider of the grant provider. Complete this between weeks 10
and 12.
• Ask your colleagues or adviser for more feedback by the 9 week mark.
• Revise your draft at 8 weeks. Create a tentative budget and ask advisers for letters of
recommendation.
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5 Edit and submit your proposal during Phase II. Begin this phase 5 weeks before the
deadline and finish several days in advance.

• At 5 weeks, review specific requirements addressed by the application and revise your
proposal to meet this requirements and incorporate adviser suggestions.
• Give yourself a break during week 4 to let things settle.
• Remind your adviser and other faculty about your letters of recommendation during week 3.
• At 2 weeks, assemble your materials, review your proposal, and finalize your proposal.
• Ask colleagues to help you copy-edit 10 days in advance.
• Print your final copy and collect your materials 3 to 4 days in advance.
• Submit your research proposal 2 to 3 days before the due date.

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Research Proposal Help
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Sample Timeline Sample Sample

for Research Research Research
Proposal Proposal Outline Proposal

Community Q&A

Question

What are the similarities between a research paper and a research proposal?

Community Answer

The proposal is written before the paper. It is your plan on how you will write the paper. The length of the
proposal depends on the length of the paper. A two page paper might just require a paragraph or two for
a proposal. A dissertation will require a 20-30 page proposal.

16 4

Question

What is the procedure for proposal writing?

Community Answer

Use a table of contents. Clearly state what each paragraph will be with a subtitle. Make it long, and be
thorough. Always double check for grammar/punctuation/spelling mistakes.

14 4

Question

My friend and I have a research proposal. Should we apply together to a professor or

separately?

Moses Omulako
Community Answer
The application should be done separately. This is to attract a depth consideration into the proposal.This
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will help giving detailed suggestions for the solutions required. It will also create a comparison ground for
the two researchers before writing their final proposals.

5 1

Question

How many references do I need to write a research proposal?

Moses Omulako
Community Answer

At least two. The number of references required to write a research proposal will definitely depend on
the research question or problem. I suggest a minimum of two references, however, to give room for
comparison, which may improve the quality of your suggested solutions.

6 2

What are the differences between writing research proposals in microbial researches and viral
researches?

Answer

How do I know if my topic is correct when writing a research proposal?

Answer

How do I write a proposal on rehabilitation?

Answer

Are the research proposal steps to write the same for all fields?

Answer

Ask a Question

Your question here

Submit
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Tips

• Include images, charts, and diagrams in your methodology section if allowed and if applicable.
The resources can structure the information in an easy-to-digest format while also breaking up
otherwise long, monotonous blocks of text.
Helpful?

• Be objective. Throughout the entire research proposal, you must strive to maintain an objective
tone. Identify the importance of your research using broad academic reasons instead of narrow
personal reasons.
Helpful?

Know a good tip? Add it. Add

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About This Article

Christopher Taylor, PhD

Adjunct Assistant Professor of English

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD. Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of
English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies
from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.

Co-authors: 18
Updated: July 12, 2019
69 votes - 86%
Views: 370,285

Categories: Research | Academic Writing

Article Summary

In other languages

References

1. http://www.library.illinois.edu/learn/research/proposal.html
2. http://www3.dbu.edu/uwc/documents/HowtoWriteaProposalTemplate.pdf
3. ↑ https://www.meaning.ca/archives/archive/art_how_to_write_P_Wong.htm
4. ↑ https://www.meaning.ca/archives/archive/art_how_to_write_P_Wong.htm

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