A research proposal is a document that outlines a proposed research project’s objectives, methodology, timeline, and expected outcomes. It is typically submitted to a funding agency, such as a government agency or private foundation, to request financial support for the research project. Although, various points are discussed below as a general format of a “Research Proposal” the most important point is the research gap which is to be strongly justified by the applicant with strong scientific evidence/proof that must reflect the importance of the research for the welfare of society/mankind at national or International level.
Note: During scrutiny of all the applied research proposals, the funding agencies most specifically have a critical look at the “Research Gap” section i.e. the proposed idea must be novel and should not be conducted elsewhere in the world before. If it is so accordingly, your proposal will be accepted else rejected. It does not mean that other factors are not crucial like your affiliating Institute/college/university along with your prior research profile, your expertise in the concerned field of research proposal, etc.
The research proposal typically includes the following sections:
- Introduction: This section provides background information on the research problem, including the rationale for the research project and its significance.
- Literature Review: This section provides an overview of previous research on the topic and identifies any gaps in the existing literature that the proposed research project will address.
- Research Questions (Research Gap) and Objectives: This section outlines the research questions that the project aims to answer and the specific objectives that the project will achieve.
- Methodology: This section describes the research methods that will be used to answer the research questions and achieve the project objectives, including the study design, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
- Expected Outcomes: This section outlines the expected outcomes of the research project, including any potential contributions to the field of study and any practical applications of the research findings.
- Timeline/Expected period of research: This section provides a detailed timeline for the research project, including key milestones and deadlines for completing each stage of the project.
- Budget/Fund Allocation/Distribution: This section provides a detailed budget for the research project, including the costs of materials, equipment, and personnel required to complete the project.
The research proposal is an important document that helps to secure funding for the research project and provides a roadmap for conducting the research. It is typically reviewed by a panel of experts in the field, who evaluate the proposed research project’s feasibility, significance, and potential impact.
Sample of research proposalGVICAA research proposal