Scientific Writing Communication

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

Award to WINNERS
Verifying/ screening applications

Documents rejected
without reviewing
(applicants not qualified,
Format is not respected etc)

Review process

Interview shortlisted
applications

Internal panel

External panel

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

Actively use of catching and informative images/ figures

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

molybdenum cluster
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

Vi thiu Vit Nam kh thng Trung Quc trn t M, 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
Homework:
+ 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

Scientific Writing Communication

Topic 3: Writing a Thesis (4h)
+ Tips to write a Bachelor internship thesis (and Master Thesis)
+ Tips to write a PhD Thesis

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