Faculty Proposal Format

General Project Proposal Format Guidelines

I. Abstract

Please provide a project proposal summary of 200 or fewer words.

II. Project Description

Project description (A–E) is not to exceed 10 typed, single-spaced pages. (For modest expense grants, the project description, while still following the general outline, can be reasonably abbreviated.)

It is understood that any academic research proposal will employ the technical vocabulary of the researcher’s field of specialization. However, since proposals for Summer Research Fellowships, the Philip and Miriam Kapfer Faculty Research Award, University Research Professorships, and We Raise Foundation – O.P. Kretzmann Memorial Fund Grants are evaluated and approved or rejected by faculty members from a variety of disciplines, technical language often proves an obstacle rather than an aid to fair evaluation. Therefore, the Committee on Creative Work and Research requires that applicants, for funds to be awarded by the Committee, shall either (a) write their proposals in nonspecialist’s language, or (b) append to their proposals a restatement in nonspecialist’s terms of key sections, especially the abstract and the sections on purpose and significance. Thus, such a description should be sufficiently detailed but at the same time sufficiently nontechnical to give the reviewers, who may not have a specialized knowledge of the applicant’s field of research, a firm grasp of what the project is, how it will be carried out, and what it can be expected to accomplish. The description should be organized around the following points:

Purpose

Explain the objectives of the project, giving the basic ideas, problems, or questions to be examined, and indicate in a general way how these will be explored and developed.

Significance

1. Describe the contribution this project can be expected to make to the applicant’s field of study. If appropriate, mention both specific and technical contributions and also the more general significance of dealing with these particular ideas and problems. For all grants, describe how your project addresses the specific intention of the grant.
2. Indicate the contribution this project will make to the development of the applicant’s abilities both as a scholar/artist and as a teacher.
3. Describe how the proposed project relates to the mission of Valparaiso University, a community which has its own central objectives and values.
4. Describe the significance of this project to its relevant, specific context(s). Some examples include, but are not limited to, cultural, geographic, religious, economic, and other contexts.
5. Optional: Applicants may wish to ask an outside expert in their field to write a letter of recommendation commenting on the significance of the proposed project. Note: Some grants, like the Excellence in Research and Creative Work Award require external letters.

Background

Describe the previous development, if any, of the project, its current state, and how the work proposed under this project fits into the whole. If appropriate, comment also on the relationship of the project to work already done by others in the field.

Plan of Work

Give a clear and detailed plan of work on this project, including the expected timetable of what is to be done, when, and where. An adequate description should be given to any special methods, procedures, and experiments to be employed. *For University Research Professorship proposals, give a clear and detailed description of how release time will be spent.

Expected Results

Indicate as specifically as possible what results can reasonably be anticipated from this project. For example: Will certain hypotheses be validated or rejected? Will new material be brought to light? Will new methods be tested? Will the project result in public presentations, journal articles, or a book? It is expected that the applicant will review and evaluate the progress and success of the project on the basis of the Project Description both during the project and at its completion.

III. Curriculum Vitae

A few tips for preparing an effective vitae are:

• Prominently display your title or position along with your name.
• Date the document.
• Give your birth date, not your age.
• State your primary and secondary fields of specialization along with your position.
• List your professional positions in reverse chronological order.
• Use separate headings for books, published articles, and papers presented orally at international, national, regional, or statewide conferences.
• List the courses you have taught.
• Provide some evidence that you are a good teacher.

IV. Letter of Support (Optional)

Additional notes:

In keeping with the University’s mission, the committee encourages proposals that involve students. However, the committee recognizes that not all meritorious projects lend themselves to student participation and proposals will not be disqualified from consideration if they do not.

All applications and supporting documentation must be uploaded as a PDF file using the appropriate online submission form.

V. Budget

Stipend

The funds for the University Research Professorships (up to $2,000), the We Raise Foundation – O.P. Kretzmann Memorial Fund Grants ($10,000), the Philip and Miriam Kapfer Faculty Research Award ($4,000), and the Summer Research Fellowships (up to $3,500) can be received as a stipend or expenses or a combination of both. Funds for Creative Work and Research Expense Grants (soft cap of $1,000) can only be used for expenses.

Expenses

List any equipment or material needs and estimated cost. Even if all the funds are being used as a stipend, it is still important to provide a budget of expenses associated with the project, if any.

Travel

List any anticipated travel needs and estimated cost.

Anticipated Outside Funding

The Committee encourages applicants to seek outside funding, and securing outside funding as a supplement strengthens the application. When submitting your budget proposal, please include any relevant information about any proposals you have submitted to foundations and agencies. If external funding comes to fully support your project, then the Office of the Provost will retract the funds awarded by CWR.

All applications and supporting documentation must be uploaded as a PDF file using the appropriate online submission form.