General statements about writing the proposal:

Brevity is better - keep your proposal short, direct, and to the point.

Avoid jargon. The people who will be reading your proposal are educated faculty members across all disciplines. Thus, if you use jargon or acronyms specific to your individual discipline, the reader will not know what you mean unless you explain, in simplified terms, what the words or acronyms mean. When in doubt, spell it out.

Please note that students who receive funding from faculty written proposals are not eligible to receive funds from a student written proposal. Likewise, if you are successful at getting funding through a student written grant, you are not eligible for funding through a separate faculty written proposal.

I. Research Question and Significance
What is the question or technique that you want to explore in your research or creative work? Why is this an interesting and important question? (Note: "significance" means the intellectual significance to members of your discipline as well as to yourself. Citation of literature references is required.)

II. Goals/Objectives
Explain specifically what you plan to accomplish during the grant period.

III. Methodology or Procedures
Describe exactly what activities or procedures will take place during the grant period. Specifically explain how the project will be carried out. Identify what you will do and what other individuals who will be involved in the project will do. What kinds of techniques will you use? What types of data will be collected and analysis will be performed? Describe the extent of the involvement of the faculty mentor in the project.

IV. Timeline
Identify the time period (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. 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.

V. 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.

VI. Evaluation/Dissemination
Briefly explain how you will determine whether the project has accomplished the goals or objectives that were established. Describe ways that you might share the results of this project with the University community, and with a larger audience if appropriate. Don't forget that if you receive monetary support from the Endeavor awards program that you will be required to present you work at the Endeavor Undergraduate Research and Creative Works Symposium held each April.

VII. Budget Summary - $2500 maximum for Student written proposal.
Make sure the items listed in your budget have been mentioned in the proposal somewhere. Don't forget to include shipping costs when appropriate.

VIII. Budget Narrative
Make sure you justify the expenses in your narrative, including why the items you are requesting are needed and essential to your successful completion of the project.

Student Developed Project Grant Budget Proposal Form (Excel)

Helpful Hints for Writing a Proposal Budget