Proposal Narrative
Typically, proposals contain the following sections:
Cover/Title Page
A descriptive title for your project/program, your name, title, phone number, fax number, email address, street address, University department, the name of the sponsoring (or granting) agency, project start/end dates, and the date of proposal submission.
The cover page contains specific information about the legal applicant and the proposal. The legal applicant for the University of Hartford is always:
In one or two brief paragraphs (one page, approximately 200 words), summarize the main features of your proposal and its significance. Be sure to mention the amount being requested and, if different, the total cost of the proposed project. This is the most important single element in the proposal.
Table of Contents
Unless your proposal is very brief (under five pages), supply a table of contents.
Problem Statement/Needs Assessment
The problem to be addressed should be clearly stated. The problem should be documented by citing studies, statistics, expert opinions, statements from community leaders, publications, etc. State whether the problem is local, regional or national in scope, and whether this project could serve as a model for replication. Describe the impact the project will have in advancing the field of knowledge. Also state why your project is the best approach to solving the problem. The problem statement should be written in terms of the clients or constituents of the funded project. This is critical when particular groups are targeted.
Literature Review
The problem statement and methods to address the problem must be grounded in literature. In this section, the PI must use citations to support the approach to the project. Summarize the relevant work of yourself and others. All references should be compiled with complete citations into a selected bibliography. Avoid the use of footnotes in grant applications.
The Statement of Opportunity
State: 1) why your project is worth doing, 2) why it is important to do now, 3) what special opportunities you are addressing, and 4) what evidence supports your claims.
Objectives
Describe the specific outcomes of your effort. Specify these outcomes in terms that are clear, succinct, observable, measurable, realistic and within the time frame of the project.
Procedures/Activities/Methodology
This section is the outline of the methods used to meet the objectives, i.e. how the study will be done and why the particular methods were selected. In a research proposal, methods should include the data to be collected, how it will be collected and analyzed, and a rationale for the sample population size and composition.
The program director must demonstrate that he/she has the skills necessary to utilize the methods described, whether collaborators with the required skills will be used, etc. Any anticipated obstacles should be described with plans to address them.
Timeline
Describe what will happen, and when. It is usually helpful for reviewers if the applicant prepares a graphical timeline showing tasks and targeted dates for achievement.
Results/Significance
Describe the anticipated outcomes of the project. What impact does your project have (local, regional, national)? How will the issue of long-term sustainability be addressed?
Staff Qualifications
State who will be responsible for what. List the staff members' qualifications. Identify key personnel-- those who will contribute intellectually and creatively to the project. Include name, date and place of birth, education, professional experience, honors and awards, professional memberships, presentations etc. Vita(e) should be attached.
Evaluation
Evaluation and dissemination plans should be solid and well defined. How will the success of the program be measured? How will the results be publicized? What will be improved as a result of the project? Evaluation methodology is a specialized field so a collaborator or consultant may be required for such services. This can be an allowable project cost -- remember to build it in. Describe dissemination plan, e.g. via journals, presentations, web page, conferences, etc.
Budget
Line items typically include: staff salaries and fringe benefits, equipment purchase and rental, consumable supplies, phone, printing and copying, travel and consultants. To determine indirect costs, proposers should contact IPSR. In addition to the line-item budget, a "budget narrative" explaining the basis for your costs should be provided.
Project Continuation
Describe what will happen when the grant runs out. Future revenue sources should be identified for programs that continue beyond the period of initial grant support.
Collaborating with Other Institutions
Often, external collaborators will be included on grant-supported projects to provide needed expertise, skills or access to certain populations. Sponsors are receptive to collaborative proposals because funds can be leveraged to impact a more diverse segment of the targeted population. Public sector/private sector collaborations are particularly appealing to some sponsors.
If your proposal includes research on Human Subjects or Animal Subjects you will need prior approval from the Human Subject Committee or the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Please click on their links for additional information including the appropriate applications and guidelines.
For more information on Institutional Partnerships and Sponsored Research, contact Peter Lisi at 860.768.2446 or lisi@hartford.edu.
Cover/Title Page
A descriptive title for your project/program, your name, title, phone number, fax number, email address, street address, University department, the name of the sponsoring (or granting) agency, project start/end dates, and the date of proposal submission.
The cover page contains specific information about the legal applicant and the proposal. The legal applicant for the University of Hartford is always:
-
University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Ave.
West Hartford, CT 06117
Tax ID#: 06-0731360
In one or two brief paragraphs (one page, approximately 200 words), summarize the main features of your proposal and its significance. Be sure to mention the amount being requested and, if different, the total cost of the proposed project. This is the most important single element in the proposal.
Table of Contents
Unless your proposal is very brief (under five pages), supply a table of contents.
Problem Statement/Needs Assessment
The problem to be addressed should be clearly stated. The problem should be documented by citing studies, statistics, expert opinions, statements from community leaders, publications, etc. State whether the problem is local, regional or national in scope, and whether this project could serve as a model for replication. Describe the impact the project will have in advancing the field of knowledge. Also state why your project is the best approach to solving the problem. The problem statement should be written in terms of the clients or constituents of the funded project. This is critical when particular groups are targeted.
Literature Review
The problem statement and methods to address the problem must be grounded in literature. In this section, the PI must use citations to support the approach to the project. Summarize the relevant work of yourself and others. All references should be compiled with complete citations into a selected bibliography. Avoid the use of footnotes in grant applications.
The Statement of Opportunity
State: 1) why your project is worth doing, 2) why it is important to do now, 3) what special opportunities you are addressing, and 4) what evidence supports your claims.
Objectives
Describe the specific outcomes of your effort. Specify these outcomes in terms that are clear, succinct, observable, measurable, realistic and within the time frame of the project.
Procedures/Activities/Methodology
This section is the outline of the methods used to meet the objectives, i.e. how the study will be done and why the particular methods were selected. In a research proposal, methods should include the data to be collected, how it will be collected and analyzed, and a rationale for the sample population size and composition.
The program director must demonstrate that he/she has the skills necessary to utilize the methods described, whether collaborators with the required skills will be used, etc. Any anticipated obstacles should be described with plans to address them.
Timeline
Describe what will happen, and when. It is usually helpful for reviewers if the applicant prepares a graphical timeline showing tasks and targeted dates for achievement.
Results/Significance
Describe the anticipated outcomes of the project. What impact does your project have (local, regional, national)? How will the issue of long-term sustainability be addressed?
Staff Qualifications
State who will be responsible for what. List the staff members' qualifications. Identify key personnel-- those who will contribute intellectually and creatively to the project. Include name, date and place of birth, education, professional experience, honors and awards, professional memberships, presentations etc. Vita(e) should be attached.
Evaluation
Evaluation and dissemination plans should be solid and well defined. How will the success of the program be measured? How will the results be publicized? What will be improved as a result of the project? Evaluation methodology is a specialized field so a collaborator or consultant may be required for such services. This can be an allowable project cost -- remember to build it in. Describe dissemination plan, e.g. via journals, presentations, web page, conferences, etc.
Budget
Line items typically include: staff salaries and fringe benefits, equipment purchase and rental, consumable supplies, phone, printing and copying, travel and consultants. To determine indirect costs, proposers should contact IPSR. In addition to the line-item budget, a "budget narrative" explaining the basis for your costs should be provided.
Project Continuation
Describe what will happen when the grant runs out. Future revenue sources should be identified for programs that continue beyond the period of initial grant support.
Collaborating with Other Institutions
Often, external collaborators will be included on grant-supported projects to provide needed expertise, skills or access to certain populations. Sponsors are receptive to collaborative proposals because funds can be leveraged to impact a more diverse segment of the targeted population. Public sector/private sector collaborations are particularly appealing to some sponsors.
- When other institutions are included in a University of Hartford grant proposal, it is necessary to include a separate budget for each partner, with those budgets then incorporated into an overall University budget. These are listed as "subcontract costs" because a subcontract generally will be utilized to transfer funds from the University to partner organizations. A model subcontract is available from IPSR to establish the necessary arrangements when a grant is awarded.
- A unified approach with clearly defined terms of responsibility is essential.
If your proposal includes research on Human Subjects or Animal Subjects you will need prior approval from the Human Subject Committee or the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Please click on their links for additional information including the appropriate applications and guidelines.
For more information on Institutional Partnerships and Sponsored Research, contact Peter Lisi at 860.768.2446 or lisi@hartford.edu.