Study To Learn

What is A Project?

Temporary and one-time endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service, which brings about beneficial change or added value.

What is A Research project proposal?

A written stand-alone document which deals with:

• what the proposed project is about
• what it is trying to find out or achieve
• how it will go about doing that
• what we will learn from it and why it is worth learning.

Why Write A Research Proposal?

 Research Proposal is:

• Document to convince funding sources and academic bodies
• That the project is worth their attention and money,
• A study plan to be followed in the course of the research effort,
• A timetable and resources organization tool,
• General feasibility check,
• Basis for the writing of the first three chapters of the final
• Research Report: Introduction, Literature Review and
• Methodology.

Kinds of Proposals

• Basic research proposals (unsolicited proposals): provide insights or methodologies for solving fundamental scientific problems.

•  Task-oriented or program-initiated proposals: research topic is specified by an agency or a foundation.

Finding fundings

• ELFI - www.el .info

Servicestelle fur Electronische Forschungforder-Informationen

1. over 5800 Programme, 
2. about 2500 german and international sponsors.

• Forderdatenbank - www.foerderdatenbank.de

Database of the Federal Ministry of Economics and
Technology

1. Funding programmes of the Federal Governement,
2. Lander,
3. European Union.

• Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen

         (Association of German Foundations)
                     www.stiftungen.org
                   Service > Stiftungsuche

• German Research Foundation (DFG)

            www.dfg.de/forschungsfoerderung/

• Federal Ministry of Education and Research

               www.bmbf.den > Research > Funding.

• Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt - www.dbu.de/foerder

        One of Europe's largest foundations promoting innovative and exemplary environmental projects.

• German Academic Exchange Service - www.daad.de

Project Structure:

• Which aims should be reached?
• Which phases does your project have?
• What kind of work will be done by whom in what time?
• What kind of resources will be needed for personnel and equipment?
• Which costs will arise?

Typical Proposal Outline:

1. Title
2. Project Summary
3. Table of contents
4. Project Description
5. Reference list
6. Biographical sketches of the investigator(s)
7. Budget
8. Description of the facilities, equipment, and other resources available for use