What Are The General Points To Keep In Mind For The Preparation Of A Proposal?

There is no single recognized format for a research proposal.  The important point is that it should be clearly presented and should convey essential information.  

The purpose of the grant is to persuade the funding agency that your proposal is a worth while project and needs to be funded.  Therefore, the narrative should be written in a clear and interesting manner.  One section of the narrative should logically lead to the next.  The narrative should be free of professional jargons and abbreviations.  The use of white space, underlining, indications and a detailed table of contents facilitate the review of the application.

Follow the most recent guidelines and instructions for submitting a proposal that can be obtained from the funding agency.  Page limitations are kept on purpose and those should be respected.  Use appendices to provide auxiliary information and try not to give too many details into the main body of the proposal.  The completed application should be proof read carefully to ensure that it conforms to the specific requirements of the funding agency. Care and attention must be given to the presentation of the proposal.  If possible, have it typed using double spacing and send a covering letter.  It may also be helpful to explain your ideas more fully in person.