Tips for Preparing a Successful Application

Take time with your Research Proposal Statement. This is the most important part of your application. Compose your proposal off-line before beginning to fill out the application. Don’t write "on the fly."

• State your goals and hypothesis clearly.
• Learn the information other investigators have published on your topic. This will prevent repetition of work that has already been done and may also help you to develop additional questions to pursue.
• State the background information in your proposal very briefly. Avoid the common pitfall of presenting too much background and neglecting to develop methods and objectives.
• Describe your methods.
• Prepare a detailed budget with justifications for expenses. This is especially important if you are requesting funding for items that may not normally receive funding (computer equipment and software for example).
• Indicate the significance of this research and how your study contributes to the larger picture of research in your field of study.
• Schedule a meeting with your project advisor to talk about your research goals. Doing this will help you to write a better, more informed research proposal.
• If the proposed work falls within the constraints of an ongoing project, your proposal should clearly state how your work meshes with the larger project and how your proposed work is a unique contribution.
• Your proposal must be uploaded through the online form as an RTF document. The upload will not transfer images, figures or tables. If your proposal contains these items then send it via e-mail to giar@sigmaxi.org in addition to the upload.

Meet the Deadlines:

• The deadlines are March 15 and October 15 annually. This means that your application and both letters of recommendation must be received by these dates.
• Visit the Grants-in-Aid of Research Sample Application to learn the information you will need to include. Return and submit the application when you have everything you need.
• You should notify individuals you wish to write letters of recommendation for you as soon as possible. The online application allows you to request letters of recommendation before your application is complete.
• After you begin your application, check with your references periodically to ensure that they have received the notification e-mails with instructions regarding how to submit their recommendation letters. Your application will not be considered if both references are not received. References must be submitted through an online secure form.

More questions?