Show that you understand the current state of research on your topic.
The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.
One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.
Download our research proposal template
Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.
Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:
The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.
Your introduction should:
To guide your introduction , include information about:
As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.
In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:
Following the literature review, restate your main objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.
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To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasise again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.
For example, your results might have implications for:
Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .
Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.
Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.
Download our research schedule template
Research phase | Objectives | Deadline |
---|---|---|
1. Background research and literature review | 20th January | |
2. Research design planning | and data analysis methods | 13th February |
3. Data collection and preparation | with selected participants and code interviews | 24th March |
4. Data analysis | of interview transcripts | 22nd April |
5. Writing | 17th June | |
6. Revision | final work | 28th July |
If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.
Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:
To determine your budget, think about:
Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement.
Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.
I will compare …
A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.
Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.
A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.
A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.
A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.
All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.
Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.
Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.
McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, June 13). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved 26 August 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/the-research-process/research-proposal-explained/
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Writing any academic paper often implies submitting a proposal. The form and content of this paper can differ depending on the type of your main paper - whether it's a research or project. The main difference is in the scope of work. The research paper proposal relates to a more serious academic field, whereas projects are mainly assigned in schools and don't have the scientific significance the research paper could have. First, however, we must mention that the project proposal must be written to get the necessary funding.
The difference in academic levels presupposes that the requirements for the research paper proposal are much stricter than those for the project. It's essential that the standard of research paper writing is higher, but we'll anyway mention it here. You can't just choose a topic and research it; writing a proposal where you should state a topic, its importance, and significance is a must. Besides it, a student must review the literature, and the previous research on a chosen topic, provide the evidence and get the approval of the professors' board. In conclusion, we can say that the purpose of both research and project proposals is to get permission to write a paper. The content, format, style, and length of these papers differ, but the purpose is the same.
Here we'll try to cover all the nuances of the project and academic research proposals so that you won't have any questions.
Keep in mind the formatting. There's no point in sharing any tips on formatting your research proposal because we can't know what formatting style you'll be asked to use. It depends either on your professor's requirements or the ones of your department. Even if you think that this or that format isn't suitable for your research proposal, you must unquestioningly follow the rules; otherwise, your professors will reject the proposal.
Each section is entitled. Let's leave aside a title page and move to other sections of your research proposal, such as background, aims, significance, methods, reference page, etc. The information should be placed in proper sections, and each section must have a relevant subheading.
A concise title. A research paper proposal isn't a minor paper, as many students might think. So, every aspect of this paper requires special attention, and the title isn't an exception. You must do everything to make the title of your proposal a short abstract of your research paper. Put the most important words first, and make sure your title is short, concise, and meaningful. If you want to achieve this purpose, write it only after you finish writing all other sections.
Remember about justification. The rationale is a must for you if you want the paper to be accepted by the academic committee. Rationale or justification is your explanation of the reason why you write this paper, what your knowledge gaps it can fill, etc. Please, don't write about the goals you won't achieve just to seem smarter - be realistic. Add some drawbacks or limitations in this paragraph.
Literature overview. Writing a research paper is impossible without using the literature. Your task isn't just to mention what research papers and studies you used. You must explain why this or that paper is relevant, what drawbacks it has and how your research can add up to the existing ones.
Write a proper outline. If you think that outlining means just deciding what sections your research paper proposal should have and following them, you're deeply mistaken. It's a lot of work that should be done. The outline is more than just a description of the structure - it should include other important aspects, such as your needs (resources, budget), completion timeline, etc.
Mention the research question. If you want to submit a proposal that will be accepted, keep in mind the research question. Professors who will read it shouldn't forget about your research question even for a minute when reading the proposal. Do your best to let the committee understand that your idea is worth it.
Don't start with cons. Of course, any research paper proposal must have the cons but don't mention them in the very beginning. Instead, focus on pros and tell how your research will contribute to the topic. Write the way your readers can stay interested in your paper.
Follow the right structure. There are certain sections obligatory for project proposals. These are intro, purpose, motivation, summary, references, project details, etc. We hope you're aware of the title's importance, so you can make it clear and concise. Keep in mind that 45 characters in length can lead you to success.
Proposal introduction. This section is the first the reader sees, so your task is to interest them from the very first word. What's the purpose of your project? Why do you think it's important? How can you benefit the scientific community? Answer all these questions in your intro, and your proposal will be graded high.
Describing the Motivation. Students often don't understand what is required of them in this or that section, so we'll help you. The motivation section implies that you'll tell the committee why your paper is important, you'll describe the problem you try to cover, tell them about the solutions and findings that already exist, etc. Don't forget that your aim is to glorify why your paper/solution is better than the previous ones.
The summary of your project. This section isn't long enough - just tell the professors what your project's content will be.
Covering the details. Writing your project presupposes carrying out some experiments, making observations, etc. Cover it all here: mention the procedures that have been taken, the problems you face, the challenges you completed, and the amount of time that was spent.
Concluding your project proposal. Writing the final paragraph is nice and easy: just check what you've written in previous sections, select the key points and restate them here.
References. It's a place to cite all research papers, studies, books, and other information sources used in your project and project proposal.
We tried to make this guide as detailed as possible, and hope that now you understand the similarities and differences between project and research paper proposal, and this kind of writing will no longer be a problem for you.
No matter what type of proposal you're writing, there's one one-size-fits-all secret: show your confidence and readiness while writing. Use the Internet to find some tips on making your writing more confident; spend time on achieving it, but be sure the result will be outstanding.
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The goal of a research proposal is to present and justify the need to study a research problem and to present the practical ways in which the proposed study should be conducted. The design elements and procedures for conducting the research are governed by standards within the predominant discipline in which the problem resides, so guidelines for research proposals are more exacting and less formal than a general project proposal. Research proposals contain extensive literature reviews. They must provide persuasive evidence that a need exists for the proposed study. In addition to providing a rationale, a proposal describes detailed methodology for conducting the research consistent with requirements of the professional or academic field and a statement on anticipated outcomes and/or benefits derived from the study's completion.
Krathwohl, David R. How to Prepare a Dissertation Proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education and the Social and Behavioral Sciences . Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2005.
Your professor may assign the task of writing a research proposal for the following reasons:
A proposal should contain all the key elements involved in designing a completed research study, with sufficient information that allows readers to assess the validity and usefulness of your proposed study. The only elements missing from a research proposal are the findings of the study and your analysis of those results. Finally, an effective proposal is judged on the quality of your writing and, therefore, it is important that your writing is coherent, clear, and compelling.
Regardless of the research problem you are investigating and the methodology you choose, all research proposals must address the following questions:
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Procter, Margaret. The Academic Proposal . The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Sanford, Keith. Information for Students: Writing a Research Proposal . Baylor University; Wong, Paul T. P. How to Write a Research Proposal . International Network on Personal Meaning. Trinity Western University; Writing Academic Proposals: Conferences, Articles, and Books . The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Writing a Research Proposal . University Library. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Beginning the Proposal Process
As with writing a regular academic paper, research proposals are generally organized the same way throughout most social science disciplines. Proposals vary between ten and twenty-five pages in length. However, before you begin, read the assignment carefully and, if anything seems unclear, ask your professor whether there are any specific requirements for organizing and writing the proposal.
A good place to begin is to ask yourself a series of questions:
In general, a compelling research proposal should document your knowledge of the topic and demonstrate your enthusiasm for conducting the study. Approach it with the intention of leaving your readers feeling like--"Wow, that's an exciting idea and I can’t wait to see how it turns out!"
In general your proposal should include the following sections:
I. Introduction
In the real world of higher education, a research proposal is most often written by scholars seeking grant funding for a research project or it's the first step in getting approval to write a doctoral dissertation. Even if this is just a course assignment, treat your introduction as the initial pitch of an idea or a thorough examination of the significance of a research problem. After reading the introduction, your readers should not only have an understanding of what you want to do, but they should also be able to gain a sense of your passion for the topic and be excited about the study's possible outcomes. Note that most proposals do not include an abstract [summary] before the introduction.
Think about your introduction as a narrative written in one to three paragraphs that succinctly answers the following four questions :
II. Background and Significance
This section can be melded into your introduction or you can create a separate section to help with the organization and narrative flow of your proposal. This is where you explain the context of your proposal and describe in detail why it's important. Approach writing this section with the thought that you can’t assume your readers will know as much about the research problem as you do. Note that this section is not an essay going over everything you have learned about the topic; instead, you must choose what is relevant to help explain the goals for your study.
To that end, while there are no hard and fast rules, you should attempt to address some or all of the following key points:
III. Literature Review
Connected to the background and significance of your study is a section of your proposal devoted to a more deliberate review and synthesis of prior studies related to the research problem under investigation . The purpose here is to place your project within the larger whole of what is currently being explored, while demonstrating to your readers that your work is original and innovative. Think about what questions other researchers have asked, what methods they have used, and what is your understanding of their findings and, where stated, their recommendations. Do not be afraid to challenge the conclusions of prior research. Assess what you believe is missing and state how previous research has failed to adequately examine the issue that your study addresses. For more information on writing literature reviews, GO HERE .
Since a literature review is information dense, it is crucial that this section is intelligently structured to enable a reader to grasp the key arguments underpinning your study in relation to that of other researchers. A good strategy is to break the literature into "conceptual categories" [themes] rather than systematically describing groups of materials one at a time. Note that conceptual categories generally reveal themselves after you have read most of the pertinent literature on your topic so adding new categories is an on-going process of discovery as you read more studies. How do you know you've covered the key conceptual categories underlying the research literature? Generally, you can have confidence that all of the significant conceptual categories have been identified if you start to see repetition in the conclusions or recommendations that are being made.
To help frame your proposal's literature review, here are the "five C’s" of writing a literature review:
IV. Research Design and Methods
This section must be well-written and logically organized because you are not actually doing the research, yet, your reader must have confidence that it is worth pursuing . The reader will never have a study outcome from which to evaluate whether your methodological choices were the correct ones. Thus, the objective here is to convince the reader that your overall research design and methods of analysis will correctly address the problem and that the methods will provide the means to effectively interpret the potential results. Your design and methods should be unmistakably tied to the specific aims of your study.
Describe the overall research design by building upon and drawing examples from your review of the literature. Consider not only methods that other researchers have used but methods of data gathering that have not been used but perhaps could be. Be specific about the methodological approaches you plan to undertake to obtain information, the techniques you would use to analyze the data, and the tests of external validity to which you commit yourself [i.e., the trustworthiness by which you can generalize from your study to other people, places, events, and/or periods of time].
When describing the methods you will use, be sure to cover the following:
Develop a Research Proposal: Writing the Proposal . Office of Library Information Services. Baltimore County Public Schools; Heath, M. Teresa Pereira and Caroline Tynan. “Crafting a Research Proposal.” The Marketing Review 10 (Summer 2010): 147-168; Jones, Mark. “Writing a Research Proposal.” In MasterClass in Geography Education: Transforming Teaching and Learning . Graham Butt, editor. (New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2015), pp. 113-127; Juni, Muhamad Hanafiah. “Writing a Research Proposal.” International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences 1 (September/October 2014): 229-240; Krathwohl, David R. How to Prepare a Dissertation Proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education and the Social and Behavioral Sciences . Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2005; Procter, Margaret. The Academic Proposal . The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Punch, Keith and Wayne McGowan. "Developing and Writing a Research Proposal." In From Postgraduate to Social Scientist: A Guide to Key Skills . Nigel Gilbert, ed. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2006), 59-81; Wong, Paul T. P. How to Write a Research Proposal . International Network on Personal Meaning. Trinity Western University; Writing Academic Proposals: Conferences, Articles, and Books . The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Writing a Research Proposal . University Library. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Know the Differences & Comparisons
On the other hand, a research report is the culmination of the research endeavour. It is a great way to explain the research work and its outcome to a group of people. It is the outcome of the study conducted at the time of the research process.
This article will help you understand the difference between research proposal and research report.
Comparison chart.
Basis for Comparison | Research Proposal | Research Report |
---|---|---|
Meaning | Research proposal refers to a brief and cogent synopsis of the proposed research in a written form. | Research Report refers to a document that systematically, coherently and methodically presents the research work in a written form. |
Written in | Future Tense | Past Tense |
Preparation | At the beginning of the project | After the completion of the project |
Length | Short | Comparatively long |
Deals with | Problem or topic to be investigated. | Results of the completed research work. |
Determines | What will be researched, why the research is important and how the researched will be conducted? | What is researched, what sources are used to collect data, how the data is collected, what are the findings, what are the recommendations for future research? |
Chapters | Introduction, Literature Review, Research Methodology | Introduction, Literature Review, Research Methodology, Results, Interpretation and Analysis, Conclusion and Recommendation |
Research Proposal can be defined as the document prepared by the researcher so as to give a description of the research program in detail. It is typically a request for research funding, for the subject under study. In other words, a research proposal is a summary of the research process, with which the reader can get quick information regarding the research project.
The research proposal seeks final approval, for which it is submitted to the relevant authority. After the research proposal is submitted, it is being evaluated, considering a number of factors like the cost involved, potential impact, soundness of the plan to undertake the project.
It aims at presenting and justifying the need and importance to carry out the study, as well as to present the practical ways, of conducting the research. And for this, persuasive evidence should be provided in the research proposal, to highlight the necessity of the research.
Further, it must discuss the main issues and questions, which the researcher will address in the study. Along with that, it must highlight the fundamental area of the research study.
A research proposal can be prepared in a number of formats, which differs on the basis of their length. It contains an introduction, problem hypothesis, objectives, assumptions, methodology, justification and implication of the research project.
Research Report can be defined as the document in which the researched and analysed data is organized and presented by the researcher in a systematic manner. It is a publication, comprising of the purpose, scope, hypothesis, methodology, findings, limitations, recommendations and conclusion of the research project.
Simply put, a research report is the record of the research process. It is one of the most important segments of the research, as the research work is said to be incomplete if the report is not prepared.
A research report is a document containing collected and considered facts, taken to provide succinct and comprehensible information to people.
Once the research process is over, the entire work is produced in a written material, which is called a research report . It covers the description of the research activities, in an elaborated manner. It contains Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Data Collection, Data Analysis, Discussion of Results and Findings, Bibliography and Appendices.
A research report acts as a method to record the research work and its outcome, for future reference.
The difference between research proposal and research report is discussed as under:
Basically, a research proposal defines the planning stage of the research work, which is prepared in written format, to know its worth. On the other hand, the research report signifies the concluding stage of the research work.
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Research is a costly venture. In a research organization inclusive of university and college departments, funds for research are released only after careful scrutiny of the merit of the proposed work. A formal research proposal and its approval are also necessary for thesis works of students. In addition to the in-house funds of the organization, scientists may get funds from external agencies—both national and international. Fortunately, there are several funding agencies to promote research and development in specified areas, usually on project mode, by providing grants to individuals and groups. Therefore, instead of waiting for the meagre resources of parent institutions, scientists can approach a suitable external agency for financing research projects. Your success in obtaining a research grant means that you and your institution are benefited in various ways.
Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning . Thomas Alva Edison (1847–1931)
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Thomas, C.G. (2021). Planning and Writing a Research Proposal. In: Research Methodology and Scientific Writing . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64865-7_7
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Online sources often use " research plan " and " research proposal " interchangeably.
Two months after getting accepted into a PhD program, I was asked to do a research plan. Is this the same as doing a research proposal?
Neither a research plan nor a research proposal is a "super specific thing you need to know about".
A proposal, on any subject, generally includes things like objectives, background, potential challenges, and a vague schedule.
A plan often includes all of the above, in greater detail, as well as necessary resources, a specific schedule with milestones, and perhaps additional project specific elements (e.g. which programming languages you might use).
Not the answer you're looking for browse other questions tagged phd research-proposal ..
Contributor: B. Zakarin, Office of Fellowships, [email protected] Posted: 2011
A research proposal differs in important respects from other forms of writing with which students are more familiar, such as an academic essay or a research paper. Instead of trying to reach a minimum length (e.g., 7 pages or 2000 words), you must achieve discrete goals within a specified space constraint (e.g., 2 pages or 750 words). Many students find this shift challenging, but the process of writing a proposal is essential for organizing your exciting ideas and prioritizing your next steps.
While an essay or a research paper requires an overall argument and provides evidence to support it, a research proposal is organized around questions to which the author does not yet have answers. A good research proposal does make an argument of a particular sort: its purpose is to convince readers that the questions are worth trying to answer and that the author has a concrete plan for doing so.
A good proposal and, by extension, a solid research agenda are organized around a central interpretive problem broken down into a series of smaller, more specific questions. Even if you begin with a topic that just seems fascinating, you will find that you have lots of different kinds of questions about its historiography and history. As you work toward a proposal, try to isolate and prioritize those questions: Which questions do you most want to find the answers to? Which questions can you realistically answer? If they are not the same, how might you reconcile what you want to find out with what you can find out through independent research?
As you work on a central question for your thesis, you also need to consider how you can explain to others why it is meaningful. This is the universal “so what?”: How will answers to your particular questions contribute to our collective knowledge? How will your research help us better understand the subject? While there are many ways of establishing the significance of a project, never assume that an uninitiated reader will find your topic inherently interesting. You must hint at the broader implications of your research in order to win over a reader who does not necessarily know (or care) anything about your thesis topic. The examples in “Learning from Model Proposals” exhibit various means of achieving this end.
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If you’re in academia or planning to pursue higher education, you’ve probably come across the terms “research statement” and “research proposal.” At first glance, they might seem similar, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics.
In this post, we’ll break down the differences between these two important documents and help you understand when and how to use each one.
What You'll Learn
A research statement is a brief document that outlines your research interests, experience, and future plans. It’s like a snapshot of your academic journey and where you want to go next.
You might need to write a research statement when:
Here’s a brief example of what part of a research statement might look like:
“As a marine biologist, my research focuses on the impact of climate change on coral reef ecosystems. Over the past five years, I have conducted extensive field studies in the Great Barrier Reef, analyzing the resilience of various coral species to rising ocean temperatures. My current work involves developing new methods for coral restoration using 3D printing technology. In the future, I plan to expand this research to other reef systems around the world, with the goal of creating a global network of coral restoration sites.”
A research proposal is a detailed plan for a specific research project. It’s like a roadmap that outlines the what, why, and how of your intended research.
You might need to write a research proposal when:
Here’s a brief example of what part of a research proposal might look like:
“Project Title: The Impact of Microplastics on Marine Mammal Health in the North Atlantic
Now that we’ve looked at each document separately, let’s compare them side by side to highlight the main differences:
Now that we understand what a research statement is, let’s look at how to write one that stands out.
Begin your research statement with a powerful opening that grabs the reader’s attention. This could be a brief story about what inspired your research interests or a compelling statistic that highlights the importance of your work.
Example: “When I first witnessed the devastating effects of coral bleaching during a diving expedition in 2015, I knew my life’s work would be dedicated to understanding and preserving these vital marine ecosystems.”
Describe your research background and how your interests have evolved over time. This shows your growth as a researcher and your ability to adapt to new challenges.
Example: “My early work focused on cataloging coral species diversity in the Caribbean. As I observed the rapid decline of certain species, my research shifted towards understanding the factors contributing to coral resilience in the face of climate change.”
Mention your key accomplishments, such as publications, grants, or impactful findings. Be specific and quantify your achievements where possible.
Example: “My research on heat-resistant coral strains led to the publication of three peer-reviewed articles in leading marine biology journals and secured a $500,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.”
Clearly articulate your current research interests and ongoing projects. This demonstrates that you’re actively engaged in your field and have a clear direction.
Example: “Currently, I’m leading a team of researchers in developing innovative coral transplantation techniques using 3D-printed reef structures. Our preliminary results show a 40% increase in coral survival rates compared to traditional methods.”
Describe your future research goals and how they build upon your previous work. This shows that you have a long-term vision and are committed to making a lasting impact in your field.
Example: “In the coming years, I plan to expand our coral restoration techniques to other reef systems around the world. I’m particularly interested in establishing a global network of coral nurseries to preserve genetic diversity and enhance reef resilience.”
Explain how your research contributes to your field and society at large. This helps the reader understand the significance of your work beyond academia.
Example: “By developing more effective coral restoration techniques, my research not only contributes to marine conservation but also helps protect coastal communities that rely on healthy reef systems for food security and economic stability.”
Keep your writing clear, concise, and free of jargon. Remember that your audience may include people from different academic backgrounds.
Always proofread your research statement carefully and ask colleagues for feedback. A polished, error-free document shows professionalism and attention to detail.
Writing a research proposal requires careful planning and attention to detail. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create a compelling proposal:
Your title should be clear, concise, and accurately reflect the content of your proposal. It should grab the reader’s attention and give them a good idea of what your research is about.
Example: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Predict and Prevent Coral Reef Bleaching Events”
Start with a brief background of the research problem and explain why it’s important. State your research question or hypothesis clearly.
Example: “Coral reefs, often called the ‘rainforests of the sea,’ are facing unprecedented threats due to climate change. This research aims to develop an AI-powered early warning system for coral bleaching events, potentially revolutionizing our ability to protect these crucial ecosystems.”
Demonstrate your knowledge of the existing research in your field. Identify gaps in the current understanding that your research will address.
Example: “While numerous studies have documented the causes and effects of coral bleaching (Smith et al., 2018; Jones & Lee, 2020), there’s a lack of predictive models that can accurately forecast bleaching events on a local scale. This research builds upon the work of Zhang (2021) on using machine learning for environmental prediction…”
List your specific research goals or questions. These should be clear, measurable, and achievable within the scope of your project.
Example: “The objectives of this study are to:
Explain how you plan to conduct your research. Include information about data collection methods, analysis techniques, and any special equipment or resources you’ll need.
Example: “We will collect real-time data from a network of underwater sensors installed at 20 reef sites across the Great Barrier Reef. This data will include water temperature, pH levels, salinity, and light intensity. We’ll combine this with satellite imagery and historical bleaching data to train our AI model using deep learning algorithms…”
Provide a realistic schedule for your research activities. Break down your project into phases and estimate how long each will take.
Example: “Phase 1 (Months 1-3): Literature review and data collection setup Phase 2 (Months 4-9): Data collection and AI model development Phase 3 (Months 10-18): Model testing and refinement Phase 4 (Months 19-24): Field trials and system optimization”
Show that you’ve thought about possible obstacles and have plans to overcome them. This demonstrates your problem-solving skills and realistic approach.
Example: “One potential challenge is the reliability of underwater sensors in harsh marine environments. To mitigate this, we’ll use redundant sensors and develop a maintenance schedule to ensure consistent data collection. We’ll also implement data interpolation techniques to handle any gaps in the dataset.”
If you’re seeking funding, provide a detailed budget that outlines all the costs associated with your research. Be realistic and justify major expenses.
Example: “Equipment costs:
Personnel costs:
Explain why your research matters and how it could benefit your field or society at large. This helps justify the resources and support you’re requesting.
Example: “By developing an accurate early warning system for coral bleaching, this research has the potential to save countless reef ecosystems worldwide. It could provide reef managers with crucial time to implement protective measures, potentially preserving biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions who depend on healthy coral reefs.”
Provide a comprehensive list of all the sources you cited in your proposal. Follow the citation style required by your institution or funding agency.
Carefully review your proposal for clarity, coherence, and typos. Ask colleagues or mentors to read it and provide feedback. A polished, well-written proposal greatly increases your chances of success.
Whether you’re writing a research statement or a proposal, these general tips can help you create a more effective document:
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“Research Statement” vs. “Research Plan” for assistant professor applications
Research statement
To wrap up our discussion, let’s address some common questions about research statements and proposals:
A research statement is typically 1-3 pages long, but always check specific guidelines as requirements can vary.
While not always required, including a few key references can strengthen your research statement. However, it shouldn’t read like a literature review.
Your methodology should be detailed enough that another researcher in your field could understand and potentially replicate your approach. However, you don’t need to include every minor detail.
While you can use the same basic structure, it’s best to tailor your research statement to each specific position or institution you’re applying to.
It’s a good idea to review and update your research statement at least once a year, or whenever you have significant new research developments.
Focus on your research interests, any relevant coursework or projects, and your future research goals. Everyone starts somewhere!
If relevant, discussing how you’ve learned from past challenges can demonstrate your problem-solving skills and resilience. However, focus more on your successes and future plans.
This depends on your audience. For a specialized committee in your field, you can use more technical language. For a general audience, err on the side of clarity and simplicity.
While you can briefly mention what inspired your research interests, a research statement should focus primarily on your academic and professional experiences and goals.
Very important! A well-thought-out, realistic budget demonstrates that you’ve carefully planned your research and understand what resources you’ll need.
While the core of your proposal might remain the same, it’s important to tailor each submission to the specific requirements and priorities of each funding agency.
Some degree of flexibility is usually expected in research. If you receive funding and need to make significant changes to your plan, communicate with your funding agency about the necessary adjustments.
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Understanding research proposals.
CLASSIC ARTICLE - While there are important differences between grant proposals for research and grant proposals for programs, there are also many parallels. Grantsmanship Center trainer Charles R. Putney outlines the major components of a standard research proposal, and he explains how they relate to similar components Learn the key differences and similarities between grant proposals for research and programs by reviewing an outline for a standard research proposal.of a program proposal.
Research proposal or statement of purpose.
Second only to the Personal Statement, is your Research/Project Proposal or Purpose Statement, which you can also expect to include in nearly every national scholarship or fellowship application. And, you can certainly anticipate some variation of this particular kind of statement to be an expected part of your graduate school applications as well. As with your Personal Statement, it needs to reflect something of you but with a much more specific focus on your academic plans and preparation. A Purpose Statement will also be relatively short, at most two-pages in length, and is your opportunity to make a well-substantiated case for what you are proposing to do in the future. Most students will find the Purpose Statement, Research or Project Proposal surprisingly comfortable to write as opposed to the Personal Statement because it is expected that your Purpose Statement is written from a largely academic focus. Your statement should include the following:
In short, try to convince your reader that what you are proposing to research or work on can only be done in that particular part of the world and that you, simply, must be there to be the most successful.
As with your Personal Statement, the more time you devote to careful planning, thought, and writing, the stronger your Purpose Statement will be. Make sure to ask your faculty mentors and advisors to review your Purpose Statement and/or Research Proposal as they will be able to best guide you in refining your subject and even providing you with further contacts and resources. Give yourself time to revise, edit, and revise some more.
NOTE: Some national scholarship and fellowship opportunities require an actual Research Essay ( Goldwater and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship ). In this case, expect to submit a very detailed description of your undergraduate research efforts and how you expect to see the work continue in the coming years. Successful Goldwater research essays often include graphs, charts, notes and bibliographies to give evidence not only to the quality of the research but also to the quality of the students’ ability to put it in writing.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program’s research- and study-grants also requires a similar effort in crafting a highly specific project-proposal based on what an applicant intends to pursue in a foreign country. The proposal needs to be a specific and targeted articulation on research and project plans while still attending to the Fulbright’s ultimate concern of cultural exchange.
Kiran INSPIRE
1. Title: Present the title of your book or article in bold font.
2. Author’s Information: Include the author’s name and contact details in italics.
3. Main Idea: Clearly state the primary concept of your article or book in bold font
4. Introduction (optional): Provide an optional introductory section that offers background information or sets the context.
5. Body: Summarize the key points and arguments of your work in bold font.
6. Conclusion (optional): Include an optional concluding section that highlights the main takeaways or findings.
By following this structure, you can effectively convey the essence of your thesis or article in a succinct and organized manner.
1. Problem or Question Overview: Provide an introductory understanding of the problem or question that you aim to address in your research.2. Proposed Approach: Present a detailed description of the methodology and approach you intend to employ to tackle the identified problem or question effectively.3. Supporting Evidence: Clearly articulate the evidence that supports your claim and explain how you will utilize this evidence to bolster your argument or findings.4. Incorporating Established Methods: Discuss how established and widely accepted research methodologies or quantitative analysis techniques can be integrated into your work to enhance its credibility and rigor.
By addressing these components comprehensively and convincingly, your research proposal can demonstrate the viability and significance of your proposed project, garnering support and resources from your advisor or committee.
On the other hand, a research proposal is typically authored by academic or professional writers as part of their professional responsibilities. Its primary objective is to substantiate their argument by presenting supporting evidence through comprehensive data analysis and statistical examination.
Composing a research proposal requires careful attention and a strategic approach. It entails selecting a suitable topic and presenting the proposal in a manner that convinces readers of your competence to conduct the research.
To ensure a flawless research proposal, follow the steps outlined below:
1. Choose an area of study or research that aligns with your interests: Begin by selecting a subject or field that captivates your curiosity. If you possess any prior experience in that particular area, consider incorporating it into your proposal. Alternatively, seek guidance from individuals well-versed in the field for valuable insights.
2. Document your existing knowledge about the chosen topic: Start by jotting down all the information you already possess about the subject of interest. This encompasses various sources such as books, articles, news stories, or relevant television shows. Include crucial details and terms associated with the topic.
3. Develop an outline for your research proposal: Once you have compiled your knowledge, create a structured outline that outlines the components of your dissertation proposal . Each chapter should be represented as a distinct topic area, incorporating relevant subtopics within. These may include sections such as introduction, background information, objectives, methods, and data collection.
In conclusion, understanding the distinctions between a research proposal and a synopsis is crucial for researchers and scholars. By following these professional guidelines, you will be on the right path to crafting a well-structured and convincing research proposal.
An Overview of both Documents: How to Create a Synopsis? To construct a synopsis for your thesis or article, adhere to the following format: 1. Title: Present the title of your book or article in bold font. 2. Author’s Information: Include the author’s name and contact details in italics. 3. Main Idea: Clearly state the…
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Project 2025 has a starring role in this week’s Democratic National Convention.
And it was front and center on Night 1.
WATCH: Hauling large copy of Project 2025, Michigan state Sen. McMorrow speaks at 2024 DNC
“This is Project 2025,” Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, said as she laid a hardbound copy of the 900-page document on the lectern. “Over the next four nights, you are going to hear a lot about what is in this 900-page document. Why? Because this is the Republican blueprint for a second Trump term.”
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, has warned Americans about “Trump’s Project 2025” agenda — even though former President Donald Trump doesn’t claim the conservative presidential transition document.
“Donald Trump wants to take our country backward,” Harris said July 23 in Milwaukee. “He and his extreme Project 2025 agenda will weaken the middle class. Like, we know we got to take this seriously, and can you believe they put that thing in writing?”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, has joined in on the talking point.
“Don’t believe (Trump) when he’s playing dumb about this Project 2025. He knows exactly what it’ll do,” Walz said Aug. 9 in Glendale, Arizona.
Trump’s campaign has worked to build distance from the project, which the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, led with contributions from dozens of conservative groups.
Much of the plan calls for extensive executive-branch overhauls and draws on both long-standing conservative principles, such as tax cuts, and more recent culture war issues. It lays out recommendations for disbanding the Commerce and Education departments, eliminating certain climate protections and consolidating more power to the president.
Project 2025 offers a sweeping vision for a Republican-led executive branch, and some of its policies mirror Trump’s 2024 agenda, But Harris and her presidential campaign have at times gone too far in describing what the project calls for and how closely the plans overlap with Trump’s campaign.
PolitiFact researched Harris’ warnings about how the plan would affect reproductive rights, federal entitlement programs and education, just as we did for President Joe Biden’s Project 2025 rhetoric. Here’s what the project does and doesn’t call for, and how it squares with Trump’s positions.
To distance himself from Project 2025 amid the Democratic attacks, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he “knows nothing” about it and has “no idea” who is in charge of it. (CNN identified at least 140 former advisers from the Trump administration who have been involved.)
The Heritage Foundation sought contributions from more than 100 conservative organizations for its policy vision for the next Republican presidency, which was published in 2023.
Project 2025 is now winding down some of its policy operations, and director Paul Dans, a former Trump administration official, is stepping down, The Washington Post reported July 30. Trump campaign managers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita denounced the document.
WATCH: A look at the Project 2025 plan to reshape government and Trump’s links to its authors
However, Project 2025 contributors include a number of high-ranking officials from Trump’s first administration, including former White House adviser Peter Navarro and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson.
A recently released recording of Russell Vought, a Project 2025 author and the former director of Trump’s Office of Management and Budget, showed Vought saying Trump’s “very supportive of what we do.” He said Trump was only distancing himself because Democrats were making a bogeyman out of the document.
The Harris campaign shared a graphic on X that claimed “Trump’s Project 2025 plan for workers” would “go after birth control and ban abortion nationwide.”
The plan doesn’t call to ban abortion nationwide, though its recommendations could curtail some contraceptives and limit abortion access.
What’s known about Trump’s abortion agenda neither lines up with Harris’ description nor Project 2025’s wish list.
Project 2025 says the Department of Health and Human Services Department should “return to being known as the Department of Life by explicitly rejecting the notion that abortion is health care.”
It recommends that the Food and Drug Administration reverse its 2000 approval of mifepristone, the first pill taken in a two-drug regimen for a medication abortion. Medication is the most common form of abortion in the U.S. — accounting for around 63 percent in 2023.
If mifepristone were to remain approved, Project 2025 recommends new rules, such as cutting its use from 10 weeks into pregnancy to seven. It would have to be provided to patients in person — part of the group’s efforts to limit access to the drug by mail. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a legal challenge to mifepristone’s FDA approval over procedural grounds.
WATCH: Trump’s plans for health care and reproductive rights if he returns to White House The manual also calls for the Justice Department to enforce the 1873 Comstock Act on mifepristone, which bans the mailing of “obscene” materials. Abortion access supporters fear that a strict interpretation of the law could go further to ban mailing the materials used in procedural abortions, such as surgical instruments and equipment.
The plan proposes withholding federal money from states that don’t report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention how many abortions take place within their borders. The plan also would prohibit abortion providers, such as Planned Parenthood, from receiving Medicaid funds. It also calls for the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that the training of medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, omits abortion training.
The document says some forms of emergency contraception — particularly Ella, a pill that can be taken within five days of unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy — should be excluded from no-cost coverage. The Affordable Care Act requires most private health insurers to cover recommended preventive services, which involves a range of birth control methods, including emergency contraception.
Trump has recently said states should decide abortion regulations and that he wouldn’t block access to contraceptives. Trump said during his June 27 debate with Biden that he wouldn’t ban mifepristone after the Supreme Court “approved” it. But the court rejected the lawsuit based on standing, not the case’s merits. He has not weighed in on the Comstock Act or said whether he supports it being used to block abortion medication, or other kinds of abortions.
“When you read (Project 2025),” Harris told a crowd July 23 in Wisconsin, “you will see, Donald Trump intends to cut Social Security and Medicare.”
The Project 2025 document does not call for Social Security cuts. None of its 10 references to Social Security addresses plans for cutting the program.
Harris also misleads about Trump’s Social Security views.
In his earlier campaigns and before he was a politician, Trump said about a half-dozen times that he’s open to major overhauls of Social Security, including cuts and privatization. More recently, in a March 2024 CNBC interview, Trump said of entitlement programs such as Social Security, “There’s a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting.” However, he quickly walked that statement back, and his CNBC comment stands at odds with essentially everything else Trump has said during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump’s campaign website says that not “a single penny” should be cut from Social Security. We rated Harris’ claim that Trump intends to cut Social Security Mostly False.
Project 2025 does propose changes to Medicare, including making Medicare Advantage, the private insurance offering in Medicare, the “default” enrollment option. Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans have provider networks and can also require prior authorization, meaning that the plan can approve or deny certain services. Original Medicare plans don’t have prior authorization requirements.
The manual also calls for repealing health policies enacted under Biden, such as the Inflation Reduction Act. The law enabled Medicare to negotiate with drugmakers for the first time in history, and recently resulted in an agreement with drug companies to lower the prices of 10 expensive prescriptions for Medicare enrollees.
Trump, however, has said repeatedly during the 2024 presidential campaign that he will not cut Medicare.
The Harris campaign said Project 2025 would “eliminate the U.S. Department of Education” — and that’s accurate. Project 2025 says federal education policy “should be limited and, ultimately, the federal Department of Education should be eliminated.” The plan scales back the federal government’s role in education policy and devolves the functions that remain to other agencies.
Aside from eliminating the department, the project also proposes scrapping the Biden administration’s Title IX revision, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It also would let states opt out of federal education programs and calls for passing a federal parents’ bill of rights similar to ones passed in some Republican-led state legislatures.
Republicans, including Trump, have pledged to close the department, which gained its status in 1979 within Democratic President Jimmy Carter’s presidential Cabinet.
In one of his Agenda 47 policy videos, Trump promised to close the department and “to send all education work and needs back to the states.” Eliminating the department would have to go through Congress.
In the graphic, the Harris campaign says Project 2025 allows “employers to stop paying workers for overtime work.”
The plan doesn’t call for banning overtime wages. It recommends changes to some Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, regulations and to overtime rules. Some changes, if enacted, could result in some people losing overtime protections, experts told us.
The document proposes that the Labor Department maintain an overtime threshold “that does not punish businesses in lower-cost regions (e.g., the southeast United States).” This threshold is the amount of money executive, administrative or professional employees need to make for an employer to exempt them from overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
In 2019, the Trump’s administration finalized a rule that expanded overtime pay eligibility to most salaried workers earning less than about $35,568, which it said made about 1.3 million more workers eligible for overtime pay. The Trump-era threshold is high enough to cover most line workers in lower-cost regions, Project 2025 said.
The Biden administration raised that threshold to $43,888 beginning July 1, and that will rise to $58,656 on Jan. 1, 2025. That would grant overtime eligibility to about 4 million workers, the Labor Department said.
It’s unclear how many workers Project 2025’s proposal to return to the Trump-era overtime threshold in some parts of the country would affect, but experts said some would presumably lose the right to overtime wages.
Other overtime proposals in Project 2025’s plan include allowing some workers to choose to accumulate paid time off instead of overtime pay, or to work more hours in one week and fewer in the next, rather than receive overtime.
Trump’s past with overtime pay is complicated. In 2016, the Obama administration said it would raise the overtime to salaried workers earning less than $47,476 a year, about double the exemption level set in 2004 of $23,660 a year.
But when a judge blocked the Obama rule, the Trump administration didn’t challenge the court ruling. Instead it set its own overtime threshold, which raised the amount, but by less than Obama.
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Research/Study Research/Study
Former Trump national security adviser Kash Patel: “We will go out and find the conspirators, not just in government but in the media”
Written by Jack Winstanley
Published 08/27/24 10:02 AM EDT
Project 2025, a comprehensive transition plan organized by conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation to staff the next GOP administration with extremists and implement a far-reaching right-wing agenda, proposes that a second Trump presidency should gut funding for public broadcasting and “reexamine” the relationship between the White House and reporters. These policy proposals laying the framework for the next Republican administration to attack the media are especially notable as former President Donald Trump and his allies have a long history of hostility toward the press, including during the 2024 presidential campaign, and some of Trump’s key allies have openly threatened retaliation against specific journalists and outlets if he is reelected.
Project 2025 attacks public broadcasting and suggests a future administration “reexamine” the relationship with the white house press corps, following years of trump and his allies attacking the media, trump and his allies, including project 2025 affiliates, have continued their hostile posture during the 2024 presidential campaign season, other trump allies have openly threatened investigations and other forms of retaliation against the press during a second trump term.
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Whereas a research proposal is a statement of intent, related to answering a research question, a grant application is a specific request for funding to complete the research proposed. Of course, there are elements of overlap between the two documents; it's the purpose of the document that defines one or the other.
best essay writing service reviews 2022. However, the main difference is that while an academic research proposal is for a specific line of research, a project proposal is for approval of a relatively smaller enterprise or scientific scheme; most often, project proposals are written with the intent of obtaining support in the form of budget ...
The main difference between research and project is that research is the systematic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions, while a project is a specific and finite activity that gives a measurable and observable result under preset requirements. Both research and projects use a systematic ...
Research proposal examples. Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We've included a few for you below. Example research proposal #1: "A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management".
A research proposal is a document proposing a research project, generally in the sciences or academia, and generally constitutes a request for sponsorship of that research. [1] Proposals are evaluated on the cost and potential impact of the proposed research, and on the soundness of the proposed plan for carrying it out. [2] Research proposals generally address several key points: [3]
The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a ...
The proposal's research strategy includes sections that differ by grant opportunity and funding. organization. An overview (elevator pitch of some sort). A set of goals or aims the proposal will ...
As a rough guide, a formal research proposal at Masters-level often ranges between 2000-3000 words, while a PhD-level proposal can be far more detailed, ranging from 5000-8000 words. In some cases, a rough outline of the topic is all that's needed, while in other cases, universities expect a very detailed proposal that essentially forms the ...
The design elements and procedures for conducting research are governed by standards of the predominant discipline in which the problem resides, therefore, the guidelines for research proposals are more exacting and less formal than a general project proposal. Research proposals contain extensive literature reviews.
Research proposal examples. Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We've included a few for you below. Example research proposal #1: 'A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management'.
The main difference is in the scope of work. The research paper proposal relates to a more serious academic field, whereas projects are mainly assigned in schools and don't have the scientific significance the research paper could have. First, however, we must mention that the project proposal must be written to get the necessary funding.
The design elements and procedures for conducting the research are governed by standards within the predominant discipline in which the problem resides, so guidelines for research proposals are more exacting and less formal than a general project proposal. Research proposals contain extensive literature reviews.
A research proposal is prepared at the beginning of the project. In contrast, the research report is prepared after the completion of the project. The length of a research proposal is about 4-10 pages. On the contrary, the length of the research report is about 100 to 300 pages.
The differences between a research protocol and a research proposal must also be clearly noted. A research proposal is a document containing an initial set of ideas for funding research supported by background literature to justify the study. ... In a research proposal, you project the future work you propose to do before a selected audience ...
Online sources often use "research plan" and "research proposal" interchangeably. Two months after getting accepted into a PhD program, I was asked to do a research plan. ... above, in greater detail, as well as necessary resources, a specific schedule with milestones, and perhaps additional project specific elements (e.g. which programming ...
A research proposal differs in important respects from other forms of writing with which students are more familiar, such as an academic essay or a research paper. Instead of trying to reach a minimum length (e.g., 7 pages or 2000 words), you must achieve discrete goals within a specified space constraint (e.g., 2 pages or 750 words).
Key Differences Between Research Statements and Research Proposals. Now that we've looked at each document separately, let's compare them side by side to highlight the main differences: Scope. Research Statement: Broad overview of your entire research career and interests. Research Proposal: Focused on a specific project or study.
Understanding Research Proposals. CLASSIC ARTICLE - While there are important differences between grant proposals for research and grant proposals for programs, there are also many parallels. Grantsmanship Center trainer Charles R. Putney outlines the major components of a standard research proposal, and he explains how they relate to similar ...
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program's research- and study-grants also requires a similar effort in crafting a highly specific project-proposal based on what an applicant intends to pursue in a foreign country. The proposal needs to be a specific and targeted articulation on research and project plans while still attending to the Fulbright's ...
Popular answers (1) Whereas a research proposal is a statement of intent, related to answering a research question, a grant application is a specific request for funding to complete the research ...
The research proposal serves the purpose of persuading your advisor or committee that your project possesses sufficient merit to warrant their financial support and investment of time for evaluation.
Other overtime proposals in Project 2025's plan include allowing some workers to choose to accumulate paid time off instead of overtime pay, or to work more hours in one week and fewer in the ...
Increased funding for a wall on the US-Mexico border - one of Trump's signature proposals in 2016 - is proposed in the document. Project 2025 also proposes dismantling the Department of Homeland ...
These policy proposals laying the framework for the next Republican administration to attack the media are especially notable as former President Donald Trump and his allies have a long history of ...
The ongoing research project linked to this proposal must have a minimum of six months duration remaining as of the scheduled beginning of the mobility project. 3.4. FAPESP may accept proposals submitted to this call linked to research proposals that are still undergoing merit review. However, if the research proposal is still under analysis or ...