The proposal is an application to receive funding for a project. It contains information regarding who plans to do the work, how it will be done, and what it will cost.

Follow the guidelines that accompany most application forms; proposals that don't follow the guidelines might not be considered for funding. Pay particular attention to the sponsor's funding interests, average funding levels, and maximum size of awards. Many sponsors also have page limitations for proposal sections as well as the entire document, and specific typesize requirements. If these are not followed, the proposal may not be accepted.

It is not possible to detail the prescribed content and format for all sponsors here. However, the following paragraphs outline the common components of a proposal.

Any given proposal may have all or some of these components:

• Table of contents

• Abstract or description

• Literature review or related studies

• Personnel

• Resources - available facilities and equipment

• Research plan/project description

• Methodology and timing

• Budget

• Budget justification

• Other support

• Regulatory requirements

• Bibliography

• Appendices (if allowed)