Project proposal
How to Write a Project Proposal (for your final thesis or doctoral/ postdoctoral project)
INTRODUCTION
When applying for a scholarship within MULTIC to write your final thesis for your bachelor/master/doctoral studies or if you are applying for a full PhD or a
Postdoc position, you are asked to submit a project proposal, at least in part, since individually led research is still the norm at most European universities.
Naturally, the proposal should be more extensive, if you are applying for a full doctoral position and less so, if you are only applying to do part of your research at the host university or if you want to write your final thesis for your bachelor/master or specialist studies.
The purpose of the proposal is to ensure that the candidates have done sufficient preliminary reading/research in the area of their interest, that they have thought about the issues involved and are able to provide more than a broad description of the topic which they are planning to research. The proposal is of course not a fixed blueprint. Findings cannot be predicted beforehand and often the research may need to be modified as you go along. There is also no fixed formula for writing a proposal. However, your proposal will have to convince members of the academic community that you have identified a scientific problem and a methodical approach to solve the problem within a realistic time frame.
Please note: the following recommendations are suggestions only. They do not guarantee a successful application. They may, however, help you prepare a carefully conceptualized proposal. This may not only be important to the professors or the members of the selection committee who have to decide on your application, but also to yourself, giving you a clear structure for your own work, a rough idea of where you are going and a timetable in which to accomplish your research successfully.
Most research proposals are between 2 and 15 pages, but some institutions or
INTRODUCTION
When applying for a scholarship within MULTIC to write your final thesis for your bachelor/master/doctoral studies or if you are applying for a full PhD or a
Postdoc position, you are asked to submit a project proposal, at least in part, since individually led research is still the norm at most European universities.
Naturally, the proposal should be more extensive, if you are applying for a full doctoral position and less so, if you are only applying to do part of your research at the host university or if you want to write your final thesis for your bachelor/master or specialist studies.
The purpose of the proposal is to ensure that the candidates have done sufficient preliminary reading/research in the area of their interest, that they have thought about the issues involved and are able to provide more than a broad description of the topic which they are planning to research. The proposal is of course not a fixed blueprint. Findings cannot be predicted beforehand and often the research may need to be modified as you go along. There is also no fixed formula for writing a proposal. However, your proposal will have to convince members of the academic community that you have identified a scientific problem and a methodical approach to solve the problem within a realistic time frame.
Please note: the following recommendations are suggestions only. They do not guarantee a successful application. They may, however, help you prepare a carefully conceptualized proposal. This may not only be important to the professors or the members of the selection committee who have to decide on your application, but also to yourself, giving you a clear structure for your own work, a rough idea of where you are going and a timetable in which to accomplish your research successfully.
Most research proposals are between 2 and 15 pages, but some institutions or