PROPOSING

WRITING A
WINNING RESEARCH
GRANT PROPOSAL

FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 2

 Research Value Chain
Fundamental
Research
Mainly Domain based Research

Applied Technology Innovation

Research

Mainly Interdisciplinary

Research based on Problems being Solved for knowledge

generation, wealth creation and societal well-being

Mar 2011 (Mustafar) Research Management Institute UiTM 3

(70)
 Research Characteristics

Why? & What? &

How? FRGS ERGS Where?

Prototype-
Long-Term LRGS PRGS Development

Why (theory) is this happening ?

How (theory) did this happened ?

Mar 2011 (Mustafar) Research Management Institute UiTM 4
(70)
 Research Characteristics

Why? & What? &

How? FRGS ERGS Where?

Prototype-
Long-Term LRGS PRGS Development

What happened if we apply this theory ?

Where can we apply this theory ?

Mar 2011 (Mustafar) Research Management Institute UiTM 5
(70)
FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH
Fundamental research is basic research performed for
a specific period and it will not produce benefit in the
short term.
Intended to encourage new ideas/concept /theory
which are innovative and latest.
Leading to the advancement of knowledge in the
various research areas.
Generally the research will focus on:
accumulation of theories;
fundamental structures; and
fundamental processes with the goal of
understanding them
FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 6
 RESEARCH PROPOSAL
* Experimental design &
methodology
Committed to Produce
* Project activities (Plan of New Theory/Technique/
action) Model
* Key milestone
* Duration of project Committed to Train PG
* Project schedule
* Project costs Committed to Publish in
indexed JOURNALS
* Manpower
* Travelling, Materials,
Expenses & Equipment Conclusive Research

* Ethical considerations (if

relevant)
FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 7
 PROJECT TITLE
* Must reflect the work that you would
Test 1: Google
like to do
* Specific Focus and Unique (Not too general)

* Gives the impression as to the level Test 2 : Google

of work/ intensiveness of work Scholar
worthy of the type of grant
proposed.
Test 3 : ISI Search
* Signify the status of research that
will be performed
* original or value added Peer Review
* lab based, fundamental

* Signify the area of expertise that you

would like to develop for the country
* If you are involved at the National Level
FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 8
DETAILS OF RESEARCHERS & OTHERS
Details of Researcher
To be provided as requested

Research Area Select appropriate areas as per list

Location of Research
If possible, get other institutions to be involved.
Ex: Theoretical study in UiTM but some fabrication and
measurement are made in other institutions

Duration of Research max no of years

FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 9

 OTHER RESEARCHER (RECOMMENDED)

For new researchers, include

experienced researchers and vice versa.
Minimum two researchers
Suggest three (3) researchers in team,
maximum of five (5).
A balanced team would be desirable as it
would reflect the teams track record.
Dont forget to include CV.
Junior Head/Senior Collaborator
If no PhD (Find One)

FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 10

 PI TRACK RECORD

Research projects that have been completed or

ongoing by project leader for the last 3 years.
Please provide title of research, grants name,
position, duration, year commence and year
ending.
Please provide information on academic
publications that has been published by the
project leader for the last five (5) years.
(Example: Journals, Books, Chapters in books,
etc)
FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 11
 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Executive Summary
* Abstract of Work Proposed, max 300 words
* Include the background of research, problem
statement, objectives, research methodology,
output/outcomes/implication, and significance of
output from the research project
* Concise and compact
* No citation
* Very important as evaluators tend to only read this
when time is limited. May not even read further if
summary is poorly written

FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 12

RESEARCH BACKGROUND (MAJOR
COMPONENTS)
* Introduction
* Literature Review Summary including work of others
* What is the current situation
* What is wrong with the current situation.

* Problem Statement/Research Questions

* Problems to solve
* Questions to answer

* Hypothesis to Solutions
* Solutions to problems
* Answers to Research Questions

* Significance and Uniqueness in work

* Advantage, Simplifications, Impact
FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 13
DETAILED PROPOSAL: RES. BACKGROUND
Includes Problem Statement, Hypothesis/Research
Questions, Literature Reviews, Related References
and Relevance to Goverment Policy, if any.
impact-oriented/value added
Targets to produce good research. Short but
thorough enough. Includes:
Has a similar studies been done before & their findings.
Frequency of occurrence/prevalence in the previous study.
What is wrong with the current situation. State your rationale
for conducting the current project. Uniqueness

Quote the relevant & some latest references

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OBJECTIVE
Objectives
Limit to 3 objectives
To answer why & how of fundamental issue/theory
Must be within the priority areas of grant provider.
When writing, use result-oriented wordings i.e.:
To investigate.......................
To determine...............
To assess .......................

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Use this for Research/Knowledge Creation

Research Management Institute UiTM March 2010 (Mustafar)

 Objective vs Problem St

Observe the link of Problem Statement & Hypothesis VS Objectives

FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 17
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
* Describe how you plan to carry it out
* Include a flow chart
* Include a Gantt Chart
* Milestone for every 6 months
* Include all relevant details such as
* What do you plan to do, how?, Study area: where
you plan to study/collect samples from
* Equipment used
* Where you plan to do
* Sample size / No of tests to be done
* Is it statistically significant ?
* Sample size is important since it has a bearing on
project costs.
* Do you need approval from government ministries to do
the work. If yes, attach the approval letter.
FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 18
19
20
21
 Source: Takim, R,
2007

Research Management Institute

22
UiTM
 * Key Activity & Milestone
Year 1 Year 2
GANTT CHART 2011 2012 2013

Sept

Sept
May

May
Mar

Mar
Nov

Nov
Aug

Aug
Feb

Feb
Apr

Apr
Oct

Oct
Jun

Jun
Jan

Jan
Dis

Dis
Jul

Jul
1 Litterature Review
Determination of Electrical Diagram of the Ring
2
Structure
Determination of Electrical Diagram of the
3
Single Coupled Line
Determination of Electrical Diagram of the
4
Complete Resonator Topology
Mathematical Resolution and Creation of The
5
Synthesis of the New Resonator
Full-wave Electromagnetic Simulation and
6
Testing
7 Report and Documentation

Year 1 Year 2
MILESTONES 2011 2012 2013
Sept

Sept
May

May
Mar

Mar
Nov

Nov
Aug

Aug
Feb

Feb
Apr

Apr
Oct

Oct
Jun

Jun
Jan

Jan
Dis

Dis
Jul

Jul
1 Completion of Literature Riview
Electrical Diagram of the Single Coupled Line
2
Completed
Completion of Mathematical Resolution and
3
Creation of New Resonator Synthesis
4 Completion of Report and Documentation

Activity 3 to 9 Milestone : Once every 6 months

months Jan-June/Jul-Dec
FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 23
EXPECTED RESULTS/BENEFIT
Novel theories/New findings/Knowledge
Specific to the research carried out
Research Publications Three (3) Indexed
Journals (include impact factor (IF) if possible)
Specific or Potential Applications
Number of PhD and Masters (by research)
Students
as per guidelines which depends on duration
Impact on Society, Economy and Nation

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 BUDGET
* Vote 11000 - Salary and wages (Only GRA)
* Ph.D : ceiling RM2000.00
* M.Sc : ceiling RM1500.00
* Vote 21000 - Travelling Expenses & Subsistence
(Not to exceed 40% of Project Cost)
* For expenses related to local travel
* For overseas travel: PI and members can travel
overseas to present papers at conference if the
budget is enough.
* GRAs can only attend conferences locally.
* Ceiling for conference and other non field work
activities must not exceed 20% of project cost
FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 25
FRGS BUDGET
* V 24000 Rentals
* Rentals for building, equipment, transportation and other
materials directly involved in the research project
Vote 27000 - Research Materials & Supplies
(Including Animals, Disposables, etc)
Includes special documents

V 28000 - Minor modifications and repairs

Repairs of equipment/renovations

V 29000 (max 10%)

Professional Services, Training for subjects for 3 Weeks to 3 Months &
other services including printing & hospitality, Honorarium for
subjects.

V 35000 - Special equipment, accessories

Indicate in Research Methodology where equipment is used. Max 40%

FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 26

 COMMON MISTAKES
Not following criteria of funding
agency
Not answering research questions
Sloppy grammatical errors
Literature review
Lack scientific merit
No commercial value / follow up
research
Budget excessive or over the ceiling
FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI
27
What constitutes a good research proposal?

Articulates problem accurately

Provides appropriate background
Manageable within the time
Cost-effective
Linked to defined outcomes
Clear methodology
Seen to make a contribution to the field
Concise writing
Demonstrates right team approach
Has credible academic supervision
 www.rmi.uitm.edu.my

FRGS B DEC 2012 SSA, RMI 29