Writing Proposals:

Structure
 Overview
 If you have no guidelines on how your proposal
is to be written consider using the following
structure:
› Purpose
› Summary
› Introduction
› Proposed Program
› Qualifications and Experience
› Task Schedule
› References
 Purpose

 In this section you should state the purpose of the

proposal clearly and concisely. Use a phrase like,
“The purpose of this proposal is…”

 Also state your recommendation for the

proposed program or course of action
 Summary
 Summarize the major points of your proposal

 Be concise, using only a few sentences to cover

each point

 Write the summary last, once you’ve finished

writing the main content of the proposal
 Summary

 Your summary should

› Define the problem
› Describe the proposed program
› State your qualifications and experience

 If desired, also include:

› The completion date
› The final budget figure
 Introduction
 Describe the problem or opportunity in detail
 Explain what you want to do
 Provide background information of the problem
or opportunity
 Discuss the research you’ve done on the topic
 Explain the organization of the proposal
 Proposed Program

 Explain what you want to do and how you are

going to do it

 Describe the research you have already done of

your subject

 State the criteria you will use to evaluate the

outcome
 Qualifications and Experience

 In order to establish your credibility and ensure

the readers you are capable of succeeding, you
should:
› Describe your technical credentials
› Describe any projects you have successfully
completed which are similar or related to the project
you are now proposing
› Describe any papers you have written or research you
have conducted in the past that relates to your subject
 Task Schedule

 Provide a table, bar chart, or network diagram

depicting the dates each task will be started and
completed
 References

 If you referred to any of your previous research

be sure to provide a references section to cite
your sources