You want to write a grant but are not sure where to begin. Or you have ideas but need help narrowing them down and developing them into a project plan. If either is true for you, read on for steps to take towards building your next proposal. 

Step 1: What do you want to do? 

If you have many ideas but are not sure how to focus your efforts, start here. If you have a clear research objective already, feel free to skip this step. 

Spend time writing down all of your ideas, giving yourself a time limit so you don’t get too carried away. For each idea, write only a sentence or two of description. Once you’ve reached your time limit, narrow down your ideas into a related set of goals (say 3-4). Be sure to save the others for future grant ideas! 

Step 2: What are your goals and objectives? 

With your set of cohesive research ideas, spend time expanding each of them into the research objectives (aims) that each will target. Again, limit the time you spend on each. 

Step 3: What research activities are required to address the objectives? 

For each research objective from the previous step, map out specific activities required to address those goals. Make notes about potential personnel, equipment, and money needed for each. It helps to include approximately how long each task might take. 

Step 4: What is innovative about the project? 

You’ve now got your basic research plan outlined, so it is time to reflect on what is important about the proposed work. What about your project is innovative (novel) and urgent (fills a necessary gap)? 

Step 5: What is the research impact? 

When developing a research plan, it is critical to remember how the work will impact the broader community. Spend time brainstorming about the potential impacts of the objectives and activities. Imagine what the world will look like if you succeed. 

Step 6: How will you evaluate your progress? 

Each activity should move you towards your overall research goals, so how will you measure your progress during the research process (formative assessments) and overall (summative assessments)? What deliverables are expected, and when during the project these should happen? Also, plan for potential pitfalls in your research and how you will handle them. 

Next Step: Integrating your plan 

If you have completed the above steps, congratulations! The hardest part is done. 

The next step is to find a funding opportunity, then take your notes and integrate them into a cohesive pitch. We suggest forming your pitch as a One-Pager that you can use to approach program officers and, later, to develop your full proposal! 

For UC Davis faculty interested in a downloadable a full template of this brainstorming activity.