Richter International Fellowships
UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM

Independent Research Abroad for University Honors Program Students

Writing a Good Proposal

This is probably going to be your first proposal, and we understand that.  Consider this your first formal grant proposal.  Be as detailed as possible, and don't leave anything out.  Aim for about 10-15 pages for your proposal, and be sure to include all of your background research.  Use your mentor to iron out the details, and be sure to contact us if at any time you get lost or confused.  This is supposed to be fun!

When preparing your proposal, keep the following points in mind:

• Explain specifically what you are planning to do, where you are going, and why you want to do your project.
• Do the background research. What are the resources available to you here on campus to help you prepare for your project? Have you consulted these resources? Where else might you find information to help you prepare for your project? Clearly cite all sources used in preparing your proposal. You may use any standard documentation method: footnotes, in-text documentation, or a works cited page.
• What questions do you have that you cannot answer now, but that you will be able to answer upon your return?
• Why is the proposed 1ocation of your project important? What makes it necessary to complete your project there, rather than anywhere else? Could this project just as easily be done in the States, through the Internet and other resources?
• What is the general process that you will follow to get your information? If you plan on using mainly surveys or interviews, include a sample survey or interview questions. If you are going to study art or architecture, what specific points are you going to look at across the board? Include checklists and comparison tables that you could use to organize your data.
• What contacts do you have in your destination country or countries? Are there any professionals or other people that you would benefit from talking to?
• What special language skills are required of you to complete your project? Do you have the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out your project effectively? 
• Include a basic timeline. Use a scale of days, not hours.
• What kind of support has your mentor agreed to provide? Will you work together after you return to put together an article appropriate for publication?
• After you return and have compiled all your notes, to which professional journals or magazines would you submit your final research paper?

For more information about the University Honors Program at Southern Methodist University, or to receive a program brochure, please call (214) 768-2813, or send your name and mailing address to honors@mail.smu.edu.

Last updated February 03, 2003