GENERIC PLAN FOR RESEARCH AND RELATED FUNDING

ANIL MITRA PHD, COPYRIGHT © 1989

Home


CONTENTS

Plan for research and related funding

Responding to a request for a specific proposal

Writing the proposal

Outline of proposal

Outline of proposal: Appendixes

LATEST REVISION AND COPYRIGHT


1           Plan for research and related funding

In the following it is assumed that a specific topic or field is in mind and has been developed to the point that feasibility is reasonably assured

Preliminary

Preliminary version of next item

1.1         Match abilities with funding available

Define capabilities: research my work, imagine possibilities, transfer expertise vertically [by generalizing and identifying abilities, skills, tools and techniques] and horizontally [branching into other areas at all appropriate levels]. As appropriate develop

Identify interests and values and match: list, imagine and feel, read my own and other material; look to present and future; values

Locate sources of information on funding, research and application facilities and opportunities, support and contacts; categorize funding sources and facilities and opportunities by area and type of organization

1.2         Research sources of funds

Study and categorize funding sources by area and type of organization; prefer according to capability and present and future potential of area

Match capability with availability of funding

1.3         Application

Apply for a project in an area or topic of work by type of organization; preference by probability of funding, interest and local support, work that is ready or in progress, capacity of the project for ongoing work and future potential

1.4         Follow up and future work

Public relations: develop and maintain contacts; develop areas of research, background and applications

2           Responding to a request for a specific proposal

The procedure below can be read as a flowchart or algorithm

2.1         Read the request and make a note of

Ideas

Stated objective, deadlines

Explicit and implicit expectations, requirements and documents [checklist]

Project definition, estimate project size [time, personnel, support, budget]

Knowledge of project or related work, algorithms, solutions: self/others

Key concepts, theories, effects, application areas, state of the art

References

Contacts in agency, direct or indirect

2.2         Tentatively form group for

Composite knowledge and experience, work on sample algorithm and solution, compatibility and availability, administrative work and support, internal and external contacts, support in preparing proposal and providing a home institution

2.3         Divide work

2.4         Make contact with key personnel - sponsor, internal

Help and support, leads and facilitation, information as outlined above

2.5         Search literature for references

A. Key concepts and words

B. Search references

2.6         Read references for

Methods, range of applications and effects, need and application areas

Criticism and review

Solution of technical questions

Algorithms and potential material for sample problems

Further references, contacts and agencies

2.7         Demonstration approach, algorithm and sample problem

Use work already done or acquired or acquire appropriate material, if possible

Investigate related theory, supporting developments and application areas. Consider

Plan for verification and verification data

3           Writing the proposal

3.1         Make outline

A. Random listing of points [ongoing from start]

B. Global outline; title and cover information

C. Detailed outline [sample following]

Assign appropriate material to appendices

D. Review

3.2         Write up and references

A. Abstract

B. Write-up [including appendices]

C. Draft figures, tables, flowcharts

D. References

E. Resumes and budget

F. Review, correct, possible reorganization and rewrite of some sections

3.3         Production

A. Text and tables - use word processor if available

B. Figures and flowcharts - computer graphics facilities and institutional drafting

C. Review and corrections

D. Page numbering

E. Cover page, table of contents and appendices, list of figures and flowcharts and tables, index of documents

F. Final production

3.4         Processing

A. Documents and institutional signatures

B. Copies

C. Mailing [acknowledgement due]. Route through contact if appropriate

4           Outline of proposal

Preliminaries

Title and cover

Abstract

Table of contents and appendices

Table of figures

Index of documents and forms required by sponsor

4.1         Introduction

Sponsor identification and project definition

Group and institution and identification

Ability for proposal, ongoing work, retainer, publication

Outline

4.2         Detailed project definition

Reference to request

4.3         Engineering relevance

Introduction - main applications and others for a broad base of application. Ongoing and future need. Local, national, global need

Mesh with other applications and areas - broad picture

Main applications

Related applications - alternate uses and uses of related and ongoing work

4.4         Discussion of theories and models

Introduction to required and related effects: theories to be considered and approximations to be made. Models [computer, analog, physical] and theories of development. Existing capabilities and developments proposed. Relation to ongoing work. Scope of application. Flowcharts as appropriate

Foundations

E.g., potential theory for incompressible flow without viscosity effects

Justification and development of assumptions

Framework or base theory

Project theories

Existing and to be developed

Tables of comparison

Supporting developments

For application of main project theories to the required phenomena

Related theories for ongoing work

A broad application base and possible phenomena in intended project application

Rigorous theories for verification

Models – computer, analog, physical

Foundations, approximations - considerations as for theories including existing models and those to be developed

Sample models developed and problem solutions

4.5         Capability of group

Provision of evidence that group can develop and verify efficient, reliable and well-documented working models within the stated time frame. Needs matched to experience and facilities [including items to be procured and subcontracted] and environment. Consider attractiveness to sponsor including location, economics, and prestige in an ongoing sense, discuss project planning, optimization and administration. If appropriate, propose a retainer and/or a subtle but attractive welcome to the sponsor to visit and use the group institution facilities in the future. Use “positive thinking” without being obvious or suggesting excessive desire

Personnel

It is appealing to present a team of technical, support and administrative personnel backed by institutional facilities and resources as well as policy and authority. It is useful, when appropriate, to duplicate and to fuse function

Main technical personnel. Brief rundown of aspects

…of individual expertise. Emphasize aspects chosen to sum the project requirements. Referee to resumes. Discuss the summation of expertise and demonstrate that project requirements are comfortably matched. Demonstrate ability but note that experience is what usually counts

Support personnel. Technical and academic, secretarial, reference and technicians, purchasing

Administrative and project planning. Discuss optimization, pert, CPM

Quote experience

Computer facilities

…and networks for computation, database, reference and expert systems. Support personnel

Proposed acquisitions

Laboratories and technical staff

Proposed acquisitions

Material support

Matching funds and expertise

Supplies and expense accounts

Subcontracting

Environment

Physical. Building, location

Research facility

Academic

Institutional commitment

Verification plan

Analytical, numerical, physical models in literature

Field data

Sponsor supplied data

Rigorous models developed or procured for verification. Propose appropriate model acquisition

Ongoing implementation and evaluation

Capabilities for and commitment to ongoing development

4.6         Plan for development of models

Introduction: project planning, pert, CPM

Division of labor among investigators, sequencing, efficiency factors. Top down and modular design approach to all phases of project, models and programs. Reuse of program links in later models - enhancement by use of optional parameters. Reference to flowchart for an example model

Experience in model development

Example model if available or time to develop

Flowchart for development of models

Equations for models

Present equations here or refer to their location

Equations can be shown in the flowchart if sufficiently simple

4.7         Delivery schedule

Define a delivery schedule if appropriate. If a delivery schedule is specified, refer to it or present an alternate with appropriate reasons for the deviation. State an intention to adhere to the delivery schedule as defined. Such a plan may be limited by the following considerations:

Normal delays due to unforeseen technical problems

Enhanced development of models

Relative to specifications as appropriate and by negotiation with the sponsor

Disruption of services due to natural causes and so on

Forward dating of deadlines depending on date of contract award

5           Outline of proposal: Appendixes

5.1         References

5.2         Figures, flowcharts, tables

5.3         Appendices for details of development

Items such as extended analytical development

5.4         Resumes

5.5         Budget

5.6         Documents


LATEST REVISION AND COPYRIGHT

ANIL MITRA PHD, COPYRIGHT © 1989, REVISED Friday, May 02, 2003 2:18:20 PM


Home