Scientific Writing Communication

1

Topic 2: Writing a proposal

+ Objective

+ Procedure to shortlist and select a proposal

+ Typical structure

+ Challenges

Research proposal

Research proposal is a document that provides a detailed description of

the intended program.

Why do we need research proposal?

+ To apply for a scholarship/ fellowship/ internship (in this case, maybe the proposal

is prepared in close cooperation with the host institution)

+ To apply for a job (postdoc/ research staff/ faculty position)

+ To apply for a grant (funding)

etc

Note: there is usually a format to be strictly respected. Fail on that likely leads to

an unsuccessful application

Research proposal

Objective:

+ To describe your ideas but also show up your motivation

+ To convince that your ideas are innovative and feasible

+ To show up your capabilities to run the work

…and To convince funding organization to fund your work!

Take home message:

We must be sure of ourselves before going to convince others

A typical selection process

Funding organization defines targets

Grant call announced (with format, deadline etc)

Receiving of applications

Verifying/ screening applications

Documents rejected

without reviewing

(applicants not qualified,

Format is not respected etc)

Review process

Internal panel External panel

Interview shortlisted

applications

Award to WINNERS

Research proposal

Content:

1. Research background

2. Significant

3. Methods

4. References

Research proposal

Content:

1. Research background

* Brief introduction about context of the research

* Current state-of-the art (extensive but focus literature review)

To state the current lack of understanding/ technology that should

need the proposed research project

Note:

+ For referring, quoted references should be the carefully chosen among the

most significant contribution to the field.

+ Self-citation is extremely positive here (in contrast to academic research papers)

+ Some “smart tips” for choosing references: let`s we discuss in the TD2

e.g. Research proposal for an internship position

+ Self-citation is extremely positive here (in contrast to academic research papers)

e.g. * projects have done/ participated or experiences that are relevant to the current

proposed project (candidates)

* works have been published that are relevant or foundation for the current proposed

project (host institutions)

Research proposal

Content:

2. Significant

* What is the aim of this proposal?

* In the case of excel, how findings from this project can contribute to fill the lack of

understanding/ technology stated

* Thus, why should this proposed project be conducted and funded?

Note:

We should clearly state the differences between the proposed ideas/ conceptions

and those have been conducted.

Research proposal

Content:

3. Methods

* Provide clear details for the proposed work (step-by-step)

* Provide hypothesis for the proposed work

Here the innovation and feasibility will be potentially showed up

Consider to use catching images rather than to much words:

e.g. drawing cartoon, organization chart etc

Actively use of catching and informative images/ figures

The following chart describes organization of the current iCatH2 project.

Tran and coll., iCatH2 proposal submitted, 2015

Figure 6: Proposed bottom-up strategy to build up heterobimetallic sulfide from a sulfido

molybdenum cluster

Actively use of catching and informative images/ figures

Tran and coll., iCatH2 proposal submitted, 2015

Research proposal

Content:

3. Methods

* Provide clear details for the proposed work (step-by-step)

* Provide hypothesis for the proposed work

Here the innovation and feasibility will be potentially showed up

Consider to use catching images rather than words: e.g.

drawing cartoon, organization chart etc

+ Show up your expertise and experience: Describe in a good place your works

successfully done (related to the proposed work or not)

Discussion:

Yes, but the best discovery is the one we could not predict when preparing proposal

Research proposal

Content:

4. References

+ References should be carefully selected among the most significant contribution to the field

+ Self-citation (in a smart manner) is encouraged

+ Some “smart tips” for choosing references: let`s we discuss in the TD2

Note:

Your CV is usually attached together with your research proposal. So, please do take care of

your CV too.

Winning tip to prepare a successful research proposal

Please talk to colleagues who were awarded the grant

Conception of ideas/ Research proposal

Challenge 1: write your proposal for the following product (marketing idea)

Conception of ideas/ Research proposal

Challenge 2: Propose an innovative idea to provide added-value to the lychee

“Vải thiều Việt Nam khó thắng Trung Quốc trên đất Mỹ”, tinngan.vn, 25/06/2015

Conception of ideas/ Research proposal

TDP notes about challenges 1, 2:

+ In the class, students are grouped into groups of 5 students to take these topics

+ Open discussion about potential arguments / details for proposals

+ Each group write a 2 pages proposal which will be evaluated by committees composed of

other group leaders

+ Each group leader present and defense proposal in 5 min communication challenge

Homework:

Scientific Writing Communication

18

Topic 3: Writing a Thesis (4h)

+ Tips to write a Bachelor internship thesis (and Master Thesis)

+ Tips to write a PhD Thesis