Writing styles for proposals differ from scientific papers (evaluate examples)
BLUF: Reformulate your proposal so the important things are up front, i.e. BLUF = Bottom line up front.
Did you see what I did there? I put the message at the top, and now I'm about to explain why.
As context, many academics are quite familiar with the typical order in a scientific paper, i.e. Introduction/context (problem definition), methods, results, analysis of results, conclusions.
Similarly, many academics are used to teaching with: derivation, derivation, example, box around my answer.
However, a proposal is NOT a scientific paper and it is NOT [typically] a derivation. There is much more of a 'sell' involved. Many reviewers will skim proposals, looking for the key points. I've known reviewers that "crammed" in the proposal evaluation, often a day or two before the proposal. Historically, these are volunteers, and we expect them to read and evaluation a lot of proposals.
You will have more success catching your busy reviewer's attention with BLUF [bottom line up front].
As a second tip, try formatting your proposals as "Assertion-Evidence". Assertion (a.k.a.) evidence has been used above.
As another ample:
If successful this proposal will create a new fuel cell membrane with twice the flux of the state-of-the-art membrane, this will increase the efficiency of the fuel cell by 20% and increase energy efficiency by 50%.. Preliminary data shows... My research plan to ... will further increase the performance by ..., as shown by [preliminary calculations/theory].
*N.B. These numbers are made up, for the sake of illustration.
As a third tip, outline specific and achievable metrics, outline where you are relative to the metrics, and outline a plan to get there. Provide a contingency plan.
Bad: The DOE target is 10%
Good: the DOE target is 10%, my preliminary data shows I have advance state-of-the-art (5%) to 8%, and the proposed research plan will achieve 11% through additional material optimization. Theoretical calculations using xyz theory support this assertion that 11% is achievable. After resting and validation, should 11% not be achieved, the team will...
Did you see what I did there? I put the message at the top, and now I'm about to explain why.
As context, many academics are quite familiar with the typical order in a scientific paper, i.e. Introduction/context (problem definition), methods, results, analysis of results, conclusions.
Similarly, many academics are used to teaching with: derivation, derivation, example, box around my answer.
However, a proposal is NOT a scientific paper and it is NOT [typically] a derivation. There is much more of a 'sell' involved. Many reviewers will skim proposals, looking for the key points. I've known reviewers that "crammed" in the proposal evaluation, often a day or two before the proposal. Historically, these are volunteers, and we expect them to read and evaluation a lot of proposals.
You will have more success catching your busy reviewer's attention with BLUF [bottom line up front].
As a second tip, try formatting your proposals as "Assertion-Evidence". Assertion (a.k.a.) evidence has been used above.
As another ample:
If successful this proposal will create a new fuel cell membrane with twice the flux of the state-of-the-art membrane, this will increase the efficiency of the fuel cell by 20% and increase energy efficiency by 50%.. Preliminary data shows... My research plan to ... will further increase the performance by ..., as shown by [preliminary calculations/theory].
*N.B. These numbers are made up, for the sake of illustration.
As a third tip, outline specific and achievable metrics, outline where you are relative to the metrics, and outline a plan to get there. Provide a contingency plan.
Bad: The DOE target is 10%
Good: the DOE target is 10%, my preliminary data shows I have advance state-of-the-art (5%) to 8%, and the proposed research plan will achieve 11% through additional material optimization. Theoretical calculations using xyz theory support this assertion that 11% is achievable. After resting and validation, should 11% not be achieved, the team will...
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1.
The following provides the *best* example of text that defines clear and specific outcomes:
This action will inject resources into not only maintaining—but upgrading—the curriculum. This action will preserve the hands-on experiential learning practicum, expand market, increase accessibility, and create partnerships to widely disseminate the curricula to defense audiences and traditional engineering programs in the U.S.
This action will transfer, upgrade, and disseminate curriculum in x, y, z. engineering, incorporating hands-on practicums that were developed side-by-side with real world problems and associated community impact. The action will preserve and modernize this generational knowledge.
Seventy credit hours of advanced engineering and management course content will be developed through this action. This consists of 7 ‘Tracks’, each consisting of a 10-credit hour course sequence that allows for specialization and technical mastery in: X, Y, Z. Each Track will equip students to lead an engineering process/division to support the full life cycle of ... to ensure project sustainability beyond funded project life.
2.
The following is an example of an "assertion" in the assertion-evidence writing style:
A domestic supply chain of critical minerals is essential to national security, particularly with the advent of a new energy economy that will rely heavily on copper, lithium, and other critical minerals.
Enrollment in academic programs across the U.S. that support this engineering workforce pipeline have been on the decline in the United States, with many Universities closing and/or merging programs that serve the mineral extraction sector, as listed in Table 1.
Discontinuation of the [agency] deprioritized research in X, while the enrollment trends trends (partial time period shown in Figure 2) has deprioritized investment in faculty lines.
3.
The following is an example of "evidence" in the assertion-evidence writing style:
A domestic supply chain of critical minerals is essential to national security, particularly with the advent of a new energy economy that will rely heavily on copper, lithium, and other critical minerals.
Enrollment in academic programs across the U.S. that support this engineering workforce pipeline have been on the decline in the United States, with many Universities closing and/or merging programs that serve the mineral extraction sector, as listed in Table 1.
Emerging geopolitics, the COVID pandemic, and the war in Ukraine have exposed critical supply chain gaps
4.
The following is an example of BLUF
Please vacate the building. The house is on fire. Do not collect your belongings, the nearest exit is two doors down on the right. Our meeting place is across the street.
I brought my lunch today, so when I see you across the street, we can share my peaches. why? Haven't you heard? The house is on fire, so we need to vacate the building.
I'm getting warm.