Proposal - a plan or suggestion, especially a formal or written one, put forward for consideration or discussion by others.

Business Proposal - proposal is a written offer from a seller to a prospective buyer. Business proposals are often a key step in the complex sales
processi.e., whenever a buyer considers more than price in a purchase
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PROPOSAL
The need for the proposed activity is clearly established, preferably with data.
The most important ideas are highlighted and repeated in several places.
The objectives of the project are given in detail.
There is a detailed schedule of activities for the project, or at least sample portions of such a complete project schedule.
Collaboration with all interested groups in planning of the proposed project is evident in the proposal.
The commitment of all involved parties is evident, e.g., letters of commitment in the appendix and cost sharing stated in both the narrative
of the proposal and the budget.
The budget and the proposal narrative are consistent.
The uses of money are clearly indicated in the proposal narrative as well as in the budget.
All of the major matters indicated in the proposal guidelines are clearly addressed in the proposal.
The agreement of all project staff and consultants to participate in the project was acquired and is so indicated in the proposal.
All governmental procedures have been followed with regard to matters such as civil rights compliance and protection of human subjects.
Appropriate detail is provided in all portions of the proposal.
All of the directions given in the proposal guidelines have been followed carefully.
Appendices have been used appropriately for detailed and lengthy materials which the reviewers may not want to read but are useful as
evidence of careful planning, previous experience, etc.
The length is consistent with the proposal guidelines and/or funding agency expectations.
The budget explanations provide an adequate basis for the figures used in building the budget.
If appropriate, there is a clear statement of commitment to continue the project after external funding ends.
The qualifications of project personnel are clearly communicated.
The writing style is clear and concise. It speaks to the reader, helping the reader understand the problems and proposal. Summarizing
statements and headings are used to lead the reader.
TYPES OF PROPOSAL
Unsolicited Proposal. This type of proposal is submitted to a sponsor that generally has not issued a specific solicitation but is
believed by the investigator to have an interest in the subject. The unsolicited proposal is developed around general agency
guidelines, within a specific subject field, where the scope of the project is not limited by specific solicitation guidelines. Unsolicited
proposal may be submitted anytime, although there may be target submission dates set to meet particular review panel meetings.
Solicited Proposal. (Response to a specific program.) This category can include Broad Agency Announcements (BAA), Requests
for Proposal (RFP) and Requests for Quotation (RFQ). A proposal submitted to a specific program should conform to the solicitation
guidelines issued by the agency. Proposals submitted in response to a BAA are usually accepted at any time during a specified time
frame, which may be as long as 2 or 3 years. To respond to an RFP or RFQ, the proposed project would have to fit the needs
described in the specific work statement developed by the funding agency. A RFP or RFQ is usually specific in its requirements
regarding format and technical content and may stipulate certain award terms and conditions. They usually have a hard deadline; if
the proposal arrives late, it normally will not be considered. Also, most are one-time solicitations to fit a specific need that is not
expected to recur.
PREPARING A PROPOSAL GUIDELINES
Following are some guidelines which you must adhere to in order to cover all aspects of a good
business proposal:
1. Say who and what you are, and what is significant and distinguishing about you/your
company. Give all your/your companys background, credentials, and achievements.
2. Be clear and specific in saying why you/your company/your product is different it could
be skills, experiences, technology, quality, or functionality. Say how what you have to offer
will make a difference to their business and why you should be chosen.
3. Make sure to include reference to the market size and its predicted growth path. Describe
the segment of the market you intend to pursue and what you will do to take market share
away from competitors. It is important that your client knows that you understand the
market and competition.
 4. Summarize your business plan. Outline how you will take the project from the beginning to
end, highlighting anything notable about you that separates you from competition. Make it
professional and realistic with credible projections and accurate content. Make it brief but
include enough detail so your client can make informed decisions.
5. Discuss any regulatory issue or outside factors which you think you or your company
might have to deal with during the life of the project. This is important because it saves
you from any blame that you may have to face due to some third party involvement. It
also shows that you have experience and know the pitfalls you have to watch out for.
6. Identify the team members who will be working on the project. Provide a short resume of
each team member. This way the client will know not only the team, but also each
individual member.
7. Discuss how much money you think you will need, how it will be used, and from where you
plan to obtain it. Document all your predictions and expectations in simple cash flow and
breakeven charts.
PROPOSAL
Project summary - The abstract forms the readers initial impression of the work, and
therefore plays a big role on whether the application is funded. The abstract speaks for the
proposal when it is separated from it, provides the reader with his or her first impression of
the request, and, by acting as a summary, frequently provides the reader their last
impression.
Project Description You have two pages to make a compelling case that you should be
funded. In that space, you have to:
o Introduce the topic. Don't assume that everyone knows why, using an example from
my own research, it's important that we know which aerosol particles in the
atmosphere will be effective ice nuclei.
o Introduce the specific question you will address.
o Explain how you will attempt to answer the question you have posed. You must do
this in enough detail that someone who is an expert in your field can evaluate what
you are proposing to do.
Title page -The title page of your business plan is the first page a banker or investor sees.
As a result, it should be structured neatly and appeal to your intended audience. The title
page generally includes the following items;
o Name of your business or proposed name of your business.
o Logo of the business (if any).
o The month and year in which the business plan was issued.
o Name, address, and telephone number of the entrepreneur or Chief Executive
Officer (I.E. the person responsible for the business).
o Name of the Business plan developer - ( if you are the entrepreneur and prepared
the business plan yourself, exclude this part from the title page).
o It is also a good idea to include on your title page a confidential and proprietary
statement.
o Disclaimer of securities (if required).
Statement of the problem
o Should have an introductory statement
o It should enlist the specific questions answered by the research
Plan of action A sequence of steps that must be taken, or activities that must be
performed well, for a strategy to succeed. An action plan has three major elements
o Specific tasks: what will be done and by whom.
o Time horizon: when will it be done.
o Resource allocation: what specific funds are available for specific activities.
 Management plan is a formal statement of business goals, reasons they are attainable,
and plans for reaching them. It may also contain background information about the
organization or team attempting to reach those goals.
o Gantt chart -A Gantt chart can be used to produce an accurate timescale for the
project as well as:
Breaking down the structure
Showing team members how their work relates to others
Schedule of work on a day to day basis throughout the entire duration
Able to be used in the critical path method
o Cost - The writer of the proposal includes the grant and the total amounts of money
it is going to be paid by it. It is stressed that the pay scale must be compatible with
the company's scale. The money of researchers is part of a single person's company
salary and because of this, a business is required to take away some of the duties of
a researcher. The writer includes the estimated costs of disposable materials,
equipment, and supplies. This part of the proposal would also consist of travel,
publication costs, and direct costs
o Qualification for performing the proposed research -
Reference Section -
Appendices A business plans appendix is like its own mini library. It holds the entire plans
supporting documents in a clear, well-organized fashion. The appendix consists of an array
of documentation that ranges from receipts and bank statements to contracts and
inventories. It should be used on an as-needed basis and include only essential
information.
ORAL DEFENCE
word speaks for itself. usually done in universities wherein a student presents his
thesis, proposal, research or dissertation to a number of panel. the panel then asks
question to clarify some point presented and the presentor should defend it orally,
not by writting it.