RISC Research Grant Proposal outline
Student applicants submitting a proposal for a RISC Grant will follow the outline below. The proposal must be written by the student applicant(s). Proposals will consist of a title page with appropriate signatures, project description, budget page, budget narrative and student résumé. It is required that the original and ten (10) copies of each proposal must be submitted on or before
I. Title page Click link for Printable title page
II. Research Question and Significance: What is the question that you want to explore in your research and why is this an interesting and important question? (Note: significance means the intellectual significance to members of your discipline, as well as yourself (Cite appropriate literature references.) Avoid using terminology, acronyms, or jargon that is specific to your discipline. If you must use these things, be sure to include explanations of the terminology that people outside your discipline can understand.
III. Goals/Objectives: Explain specifically what you plan to accomplish during the grant period.
IV. Methodology or Procedures: Identify the time (weeks, months, etc.) you plan to work on the project, giving the dates you expect the project to begin and end, and approximately how many hours each week you will focus on the project. Describe exactly what activities and procedures will take place during the grant period, and what kind of data will be collected and what kind of analyses you will do (if appropriate). Specifically explain how the project will be carried out. Identify what you will do, and what other individuals involved in the project will do. Describe the extent of the involvement of the faculty mentor in the project.
V. Timeline: Include a timeline that sequentially outlines the progression of activities that will take place during the entire grant period. The timeline may be presented graphically or in outline form. Be realistic in your time estimates, and seek the advice of your mentor when in doubt.
VI. The Student Investigator’s Qualifications: Briefly describe your qualifications to pursue the project. Include your major and number of completed credit hours and expected graduation date. Explain why you are interested in this project, what related classroom or laboratory experience you have had, what background reading you have done, discussions you have had with a faculty member, etc.
VII. Evaluation/Dissemination: Briefly explain how you will determine whether the project has accomplished the goals or objectives that were established. Describe ways that you will share the results of this project with the University community at the RISC Showcase (required), and with audiences specific to your discipline (e.g., a poster or oral presentation at a national or regional meeting, a gallery showing, a journal submission etc.)
VIII. References cited: Include complete bibliographic information for all references cited in the proposal using appropriate styles to your discipline (e.g., APA, MLA, Turabian, Chicago Citation Styles, or others.)
IX. Budget Summary (max. $1000)
Use the budget spreadsheet (MS Excel file) available on RISC Program web page.
X. Budget Narrative
Explain why you need the items listed in your budget, where the items will be purchased, and how much they will cost. Don’t forget to include estimated shipping costs on purchased materials. You should also include calculated travel costs required to complete the project, if applicable- note restrictions (see RISC Grant Page for restrictions). Avoid listing items in your budget and narrative that have not been mentioned elsewhere in the proposal.
NOTE: Information on the RISC Research Grant Program, RISC Travel Grant program, the RISC Showcase, and