Model Proposals

Abstract

Proposal writing is a skill that a scholar develops throughout her/his career. As the following model proposals illustrate, the style and prose of scholarly writing is evolutionary and as you read the sample thesis, dissertation, and grant proposals this should be apparent. Additionally, the purpose of each document determines the scale, scope, and structure of any proposal. For example, master’s theses demonstrate a student’s capacity to “do research.” In contrast, dissertation proposals define a gap in the literature and provide a road map for making a new contribution. In the case of grants, the proposal serves not only as a vehicle to propose novel research—but also serves as a tangible means of establishing the overall credibility of applicant as an effective researcher. To that end, please remember the purposes of the various proposal types and pay special attention to the structure and organization of each of the models. While the language may vary slightly between the models (i.e., conceptual framework versus literature review), they share the same basic structure. In the case of competitive grants, the structure and format of proposals is solely determined by the funding agency and highly prescriptive.