This document outlines the key components that should be included in a research proposal, such as a title page, abstract, table of contents, introduction, literature review, methodology, qualifications of the research team, budget, and references. It provides guidance on what should be included in each section, with the methodology being the most important as it must present the research question, assumptions, data collection and analysis methods clearly. The proposal must demonstrate the significance of the research and that it has not already been accomplished based on the literature review.

1. Proposal
Need
Components
of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Background/
Literature
Review
Methodology/
Description of
Proposed
Research
Team
Qualifications
Equipment
and Facilities
Hours
Summary
Itemized
Budget
References
Writing a Research Proposal

2. Proposal
Need
Components
of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Background/
Literature
Review
Methodology/
Description of
Proposed
Research
Team
Qualifications
Equipment
and Facilities
Hours
Summary
Itemized
Budget
References
Need of Proposal
Term Paper, Capstone Project, Thesis, etc.
External or Internal Funding
Solicited
Unsolicited
Others

3. Proposal
Need
Components
of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Background/
Literature
Review
Methodology/
Description of
Proposed
Research
Team
Qualifications
Equipment
and Facilities
Hours
Summary
Itemized
Budget
References
Components of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of Contents
Introduction
Research Approach
Anticipated Research Results
Qualifications/Accomplishments of Research Team
Equipment and Facilities
Summary of Hours By Task
Itemized Budget
Appendices/References

4. Proposal
Need
Components
of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Background/
Literature
Review
Methodology/
Description of
Proposed
Research
Team
Qualifications
Equipment
and Facilities
Hours
Summary
Itemized
Budget
References
Title Page
For external projects, funding agencies specify the format
Title page should include
Project title
Personnel names and affiliations
Proposal date
Course term/semester or research period
More, depending upon the nature of the project

5. Proposal
Need
Components
of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Background/
Literature
Review
Methodology/
Description of
Proposed
Research
Team
Qualifications
Equipment
and Facilities
Hours
Summary
Itemized
Budget
References
Abstract
An abstract should include
Problem statement
Expected solution
Methodology
Resources and funding requirements
An abstract gives a preliminary impression of the proposal.
An abstract should be comprehensive and at the same time
concise.

6. Proposal
Need
Components
of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Background/
Literature
Review
Methodology/
Description of
Proposed
Research
Team
Qualifications
Equipment
and Facilities
Hours
Summary
Itemized
Budget
References
Table of Contents
Should always include for reviewer’s convenience
Should include all major parts of the proposal including abstract
Some funding agencies require list of figures and tables also,
which should be included after table of contents

7. Proposal
Need
Components
of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Background/
Literature
Review
Methodology/
Description of
Proposed
Research
Team
Qualifications
Equipment
and Facilities
Hours
Summary
Itemized
Budget
References
Introduction
Introduction should include
General overview/background of the problem being
addressed
Statement and description of what is being proposed
Research approach
Scientific importance of the solution

8. Proposal
Need
Components
of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Background/
Literature
Review
Methodology/
Description of
Proposed
Research
Team
Qualifications
Equipment
and Facilities
Hours
Summary
Itemized
Budget
References
Background/Literature Review
Literature review should
Describe what has already been accomplished
Be relevant and critical
Give a clear understanding to the reviewer that the proposed
research hasn’t been accomplished yet

9. Proposal
Need
Components
of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Background/
Literature
Review
Methodology/
Description of
Proposed
Research
Team
Qualifications
Equipment
and Facilities
Hours
Summary
Itemized
Budget
References
Methodology
Most important section of the proposal
Reviewers will be most critical of this section
Research to be accomplished should be realistic according to the
resources available and schedule proposed.
Explicitly present the research question or hypothesis and
assumptions of the research
Explain clearly how and what methods will be used for data
collection and analysis.

10. Proposal
Need
Components
of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Background/
Literature
Review
Methodology/
Description of
Proposed
Research
Team
Qualifications
Equipment
and Facilities
Hours
Summary
Itemized
Budget
References
Qualifications/Accomplishments of Research Team
This section should include
Biographies of project personnel, especially including prior
research in the proposed area of research
Any student participation
Information on additional personnel (For example, post docs) that
need to be hired for the project

11. Proposal
Need
Components
of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Background/
Literature
Review
Methodology/
Description of
Proposed
Research
Team
Qualifications
Equipment
and Facilities
Hours
Summary
Itemized
Budget
References
Equipment and Facilities
This section should include
Information on resources such as, computers, software, and lab
facilities already available within the institution
Additional resources required to accomplish the research that may
need to be bought or rented

12. Proposal
Need
Components
of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Background/
Literature
Review
Methodology/
Description of
Proposed
Research
Team
Qualifications
Equipment
and Facilities
Hours
Summary
Itemized
Budget
References
Summary of Hours by Task
Normally in the form of a table
The table should include
Team members’ names
Each member’s role in the study
Amount of effort by each member
Each member’s number of hours by task

13. Proposal
Need
Components
of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Background/
Literature
Review
Methodology/
Description of
Proposed
Research
Team
Qualifications
Equipment
and Facilities
Hours
Summary
Itemized
Budget
References
Itemized Budget
Funded projects only
Funding agencies normally provide the format
Clear justification for different items should be included
Personnel, overhead, equipment, and administrative costs should be
included

14. Proposal
Need
Components
of a Proposal
Title Page
Abstract
Table of
Contents
Introduction
Background/
Literature
Review
Methodology/
Description of
Proposed
Research
Team
Qualifications
Equipment
and Facilities
Hours
Summary
Itemized
Budget
References
References
Relevant references should be included
Style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) depends upon discipline or funding
agency if funded
Publications by research term in the proposed area of research
should be included