Research Planning >>>

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Research Plan - Planning - when you plan:

• Address each of the sponsor’s review criterions.
• Show central focus and coherent direction.
• Familiarize yourself with common review problems and solutions.

Research Plan - Process - when you write:

• Start with an outline, and then worked on developing each section.
• Present information logically and clearly.
• Maintain balance between technical and non-technical language in your writing.
• Keep both audiences in mind (primary reader and other reviewers).
• Highlight the importance and innovation of the project.
• Follow the exact format specified in the instructions.
• Explain which gaps in science/service project would fill.
• Refer to the literature thoroughly and thoughtfully.
• State hypothesis in the specific aims and the abstract, and provide a logical rationale.
• Prepare an appropriate budget, following both the sponsor’s and CNU’s guidelines.
• Provide all necessary information for human subjects review approval if applicable.
• Include a timetable for the proposed research.
• Keep in mind the page length, type size and margins required by the sponsor.
• Follow the instructions in the application guidelines to the letter.

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Research Plan - Specific Aims:

• Write this section in clear, non-technical terms.
• Begin this section by stating the general purpose or objectives of your research.
• Limit to three or four specific aims.
• Specify aims and objectives support and test your hypothesis.
• Present alternatives to hypothesis/problem and the reasons for your approach.
• List the experiments/processes to support each aim.
• Mention what staff you will need to accomplish aims.
• Organize and define aims to relate to methods.

Research Plan - Background & Significance:

• Write this section in clear, non-technical terms that all reviewers will understand.
• Show how your research is innovative, unique.
• Explain why project is worth funding.
• Convey the significance of research and how it will increase knowledge in the field.
• Include background information about the field.
• Does the literature section show reviewers your understanding of the field?
• Show the gaps, discrepancies, or roadblocks in the field.

Research Plan - Preliminary Data:

• Show preliminary data to support the hypothesis/project.
• Show the feasibility of the project.
• Focus on your own preliminary data, or when using results from other sources, draw a clear distinction between yours and theirs.
• Explain how the results from preliminary studies are valid and how they will be expanded.
• Interpret results critically and provide alternative meanings for them.
• Explain how early work/experience prepares you for this new project.

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