letter of intent sample for research

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Guidelines for a letter of intent, (a loi is also known as a letter of inquiry or a concept paper.).

• Background: Your first contact with a foundation should be extensively studying the foundations website, reviewing the foundation's missions and goals, an annual report, giving guidelines, and grants list. If you have unanswered questions contact the CFR who may contact the foundation on your behalf.
• If, after carefully reviewing this material, you determine that this foundation is an appropriate match for you, your next contact will be a Letter of Inquiry, which is a brief summary of your project.
• Important: A Letter of Inquiry is not a vague exploration of an idea. It is assumed that you have already thought through your proposed project (including a budget!) and are just presenting an abbreviated description.

A Letter of Inquiry allows the foundation to quickly assess if there is a good match between the foundation's interests and the project. If it appears to be a good match, they will request a full proposal. When you see the words, "proposals not accepted," it usually means you must first submit a letter of inquiry. 

The LOI must be concise yet engaging. Use your words smartly. Avoid jargon, adjectives, flowery subjective statements that are not supported by facts. Write a logical, persuasive argument emphasizing how this project can help solve a significant problem or void in the knowledge base.

Please review the  Basic Components of a Proposal  because a Letter of Inquiry is a condensed version of a proposal. Include the highlights of that information. For example, an executive summary will be a full page of your proposal, but in a LOI it will only be one paragraph. Letters of Intent are generally 2–3 pages. If the foundation indicates a page limit, do not exceed it!

Components of a LOI

Unless otherwise indicated by the foundation, the contents will generally follow this format:

1. Opening Paragraph: Your summary statement.

• It should be able to stand alone. If the reviewer reads nothing else they should know what you want to do from reading this paragraph. Make it clear what you want the reader to do; for example, consider funding the project.
• Answer the following: Who wants to do what? How much is being requested? Is this a portion of a larger project cost? Over what period of time is money being requested?

"The School of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass) seeks support for developing an innovative undergraduate and graduate curriculum in psychiatric mental health nursing that will prepare expert nurse clinicians in the delivery of mental health services to at-risk adolescents in the community setting. We are requesting $87,000 over a two-year period."

[FYI:  This proposal got funded!]

• You also may want to say if you are responding to an RFP (Request for Proposals) or make the connection between the foundation's interest and your project.
• Keep this paragraph short! This seems like a lot to address, but you will have room later to explain your rationale for the project, your methodology, and to establish your credibility.

2. Statement of Need: The "why" of the project. (1–2 paragraphs)

• Explain what issue you are addressing.
• Explain why you have chosen to respond to this set of issues in the way that you have.
• State briefly why this matters in the area in which you will be working.
• Note who benefits. Make sure you can indicate the public good achieved.

3. Project Activity: The "what" and "how" of the project. (The bulk of your letter)

• Give an overview of the activities involved. Give details to the degree that space allows.
• Highlight why your approach is novel and deserving of the special attention that funding connotes.
• Indicate if there will be collaboration with other organizations and what their roles will be. Be specific about who does what.

4. Outcomes (1–2 paragraphs; before or after the Project Activity)

• State the specific outcomes you hope to achieve.
• Indicate how evaluation is part of the project. How will you know you've achieved these outcomes?

5. Credentials (1–2 paragraphs)

• Demonstrate why your institution or your staff is best equipped to carry out this activity.
• Put any historic background about the institution here.
• Brag with substance. Indicate awards, rankings, and tangible measures that set you apart from your peers.

6. Budget (1–2 paragraphs)

• General description of the projects funding needs and total amount of request.

7. Closing (1 paragraph)

• Offer to give any additional information the foundation might need. Include a contact name and contact information.
• Express appreciation for the reader's attention, or for the opportunity to submit if it is in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP).
• Specifically indicate you are interested in discussing the project and will "contact their office" by a certain date (allowing time for them to receive and read the letter).

8. Signature

• Contact CFR to determine who would be the best person to sign the LOI.

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Compliance protocols MUST be approved and linked in SeRA to a SPO project record prior to award acceptance. 

Pre-Proposals and Letters of Intent (LOIs)

Main navigation.

Sponsors sometimes require applicants to submit a pre-proposal or letter of intent in response to a funding opportunity announcement.  Sponsors then review the pre-proposal or letter of intent submissions and select and invite a subset of applicants to submit full applications for the relevant funding opportunity announcement.

NOTE:  Pre-proposals or letters of intent (LOIs) that REQUIRE and/or include any of the following require institutional (OSR or RMG) review, ARE subject to the  Stanford Internal 5- Day Proposal Deadline Policy  and REQUIRE a  SeRA Pre-Proposal .

• Institutional signature (written or electronic)
• Submission through a portal or platform where OSR or RMG as institutional officials/Authorized Organizational Representatives (AORs) must complete the submission i.e., "push the button"
• ANY commitment of institutional resources including, but not limited to: PI time/effort, staff time, space, facilities use, project completion, students, and/ or post-doc participation/time, etc.  Most often, but not always, these resources are expressed in a budget and/or matching and/or cost sharing information.

For example: National Science Foundation (NSF) letters of intent (LOIs) and pre-proposals, like NSF proposals, are prepared under an investigator's NSF account in Research.gov and are submitted to the NSF by an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) i.e., by an OSR Contract and Grant Officer (CGO) or a School of Medicine Research Management Group (RMG) Research Process Manager (RPM).  Thus, because NSF LOIs and pre-proposals REQUIRE institutional level review and submission, they ARE subject to the Stanford Internal 5- Day Proposal Deadline Policy  and REQUIRE a  SeRA Pre-Proposal .

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Research and scholarship faqs, writing a letter of intent/interest or a letter of inquiry.

While the acronym LOI can refer either to a Letter of Intent or Interest or a Letter of Inquiry , the aim of both is to generate interest from a grant provider.  

Letter of Intent or Interest

The Letter of Intent or Interest (LOI) might be represented as a brief unsolicited narrative to an agency's Program Officer in which an interested researcher/investigator offers a synopsis of his/her proposed project to an identified Program Officer to get some initial feedback as to the Program Officer's/agency's interest. The LOI can help the investigator explore appropriate funding that aligns with the research as well as provide the sponsor’s program officer/gatekeeper with a description of the project plan to determine whether the research aligns with the agency’s mission/goals.

The Letter of Intent/Interest is a one-page (occasionally 1-3 pages though brevity is always preferred) comprehensive sketch of your proposed project’s purpose, the need/problem being addressed, a description of the project plan, and its intended outcome/impact. 

Typically, the brief LOI narrative should respond to the following:

• What is the current state of the problem and how will your proposed research explore it in a novel way or provide forward-moving steps toward reducing the problem?
• A very brief overview of the problem and why there is a gap or a need to know more specifics. What implications will your research have for your field and for others?
• What is your plan, your methodology, your hypotheses (if you’ve framed these), and your aims (at this early stage)?
• What preliminary studies have you completed? Why are you the expert to perform this research? (This content lends itself to the proposed project’s feasibility and your credibility as an investigator).
• What are the broader applications of your study?
• How will you disseminate this study’s results?

Letter of Inquiry

A mandatory Letter of Inquiry (LOI) differs from an Letter of Intent or Interest. Funding agencies may require the submission of a brief (approximately 2-3 pages) Letter of Inquiry rather than a full proposal. The funding agency reviews these letters so that only projects of interest to the project agency are invited to submit a full proposal.

The funding sponsor usually provides an outline for the Letter of Inquiry.  While this outline may vary from agency to agency, one possible outline might consider the following:

• A Brief Proposal Summary, which is typically a one-paragraph summary that describes the problem you intend to address, what activities you will undertake, what deliverable you will provide, and the impact your expect the project to have.
• A Project Description, which details the work/activities that you will undertake in your project.
• A Project Timeline.
• A Statement of Significance  
• A Statement of Capacity for Success that explains why your team and/or organization is positioned to be successful in yourproject.  
• A Narrative Description of the Outputs/Deliverables you intend to produce.
• If requested, a Brief Budget Explanation. 

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Tips for Writing a Responsive Letter of Intent for Research Awards

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As the nation’s leading funder of patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER), PCORI eagerly awaits Letters of Intent (LOIs) that answer patient-centered questions about health and health care. PCORI staff are always available to help with any questions an applicant or prospective applicant might have. In the meantime, here are some tips on writing a responsive LOI to get you started.

Tip 1: Understand Why an LOI Is Required.

Submitting an LOI is the first stage in a two-stage process to receiving a PCORI funding award. Unlike other CER funders, an LOI must be submitted before an organization is invited to submit a full application. Each funding opportunity is presented in a PCORI Funding Announcement (PFA) , which clearly outlines requirements and expectations. PFAs may focus on a variety of topics, conditions and populations. 

Pro tip: The best way to ensure your LOI is responsive is to carefully follow the instructions of the PFA. PFAs do change from funding cycle to funding cycle sometimes, so you want to ensure you are submitting to the PFA that is the most current (and not to one that is out of date!).

Tip 2: Select the Optimal PCORI Research Funding Announcement.

PCORI funds research projects that answer patient-centered questions about health and health care.

We seek to fund CER projects that compare the effectiveness of two or more interventions or approaches to health care, examining their risks and benefits. CER findings assist clinicians, patients and other stakeholders in making informed decisions that improve health care.

We are interested in CER that examines any of the following:

• Strategies for prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment or management of clinical conditions
• Methods to improve delivery of care
• Interventions to reduce or eliminate disparities in health and health care
• Health communications techniques

Your LOI is your first opportunity to map out how your project will achieve these aims.

PCORI does not fund:

• Research aimed primarily at developing and validating an instrument
• Cost-effectiveness analysis measuring dollar-cost per quality-adjusted life-year
• Comparisons that focus on the relative costs of care as the primary criterion for choosing between alternatives
• Most projects that do not include patients or other healthcare stakeholders throughout the research process, unless they are highly technical or methodological projects

Pro tip: Explore PCORI.org to better understand what is already being funded to really ensure your particular study idea or question is not currently funded.

Tip 3: Describe All Components in the LOI.

Each PFA includes an LOI template. You are encouraged to work with your team to describe all of the LOI components in as much detail as possible. Examples of LOI components include:

• Research question/background
• Study population and research setting(s)
• Comparators
• Study design
• Sample size, power and analytic plan
• Engagement approach
• Prior relevant experience of principal investigator and study team
• Duration and total direct costs

Pro tip: LOIs are submitted by logging into PCORI Online, completing the required LOI fields for the PFA and uploading the completed PFA-specific LOI template into the system. 

Tip 4: Make Use of PCORI Resources.

For applicants who have questions about the LOI process, there are a wealth of resources available! If you need a bit more information to get started, try any one of the following ideas:

• Look for PFA preannouncement listings – PCORI publicizes each funding opportunity via preannouncements in advance of the official release date to provide additional time to prepare, potentially identify collaborators and obtain stakeholder input on proposed study ideas.
• Attend a Town Hall to learn more directly from PCORI staff, and potentially benefit from the questions and thoughts of other prospective applicants, as well.
• Read these guidelines on what you need to know about submitting an application.
• Browse our repository of all past, present and upcoming funding opportunities at any given time.
• Take advantage of our website’s search function with highly customizable settings to find exactly what you are looking for.
• Stream any of the dozens of past Annual Meeting sessions available for free on our website.

Pro tip: Even if you don’t have specific queries in mind, engaging with the PCORI resources at your disposal can help you write your best LOI – and maybe answer questions you didn’t even know you had!

Tip 5: Reach Out to Us Anytime!

Applicants and prospective applicants are encouraged to get in contact with PCORI staff at any time for help with the process — whether they receive an award in a particular cycle or not. PCORI exists to advance patient-centered CER, and PCORI staff are eager to support and collaborate with researchers, patients and other stakeholders who are making this work happen. Reach out!  

Pro tip: Engage early and often. Contact PCORI staff before you submit, if your LOI is accepted, in the chance it is not accepted, etc.

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Letter of Intent

Many Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) (whether Program Announcements or Requests for Applications) request that prospective applicants submit a letter of intent prior to the submission of a grant application. For those FOAs that request it, a letter of intent should include the following:

• Descriptive title of proposed research
• Name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator(s)
• Names of other key personnel
• Participating institutions
• Number and title of the funding opportunity

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows Institute/Center (IC) staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

The letter of intent should be sent by the date listed on the specific FOA and to the contact and address listed therein. For more information, contact the Program Officer (Scientific/Research Contact(s)) listed in the FOA.

Also, remember that if your budget is at or going to exceed $500,000 in direct costs for any year of the project, NIH policy ( NOT-OD-02-004  ) requires prior approval from IC programmatic staff at least six weeks prior to the anticipated submission date. Information regarding this approval should be submitted in a cover letter along with the application.

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Sample Applications & More

Several NIAID investigators have graciously agreed to share their exceptional applications and summary statements as samples to help the research community. Below the list of applications, you’ll also find example forms, sharing plans, letters, emails, and more. Find more guidance at NIAID’s Apply for a Grant .

Always follow your funding opportunity's instructions for application format. Although these applications demonstrate good grantsmanship, time has passed since these grant recipients applied. The samples may not reflect the latest format or rules. NIAID posts new samples periodically.

The text of these applications is copyrighted. Awardees provided express permission for NIAID to post these grant applications and summary statements for educational purposes. Awardees allow you to use the material (e.g., data, writing, graphics) they shared in these applications for nonprofit educational purposes only, provided the material remains unchanged and the principal investigators, awardee organizations, and NIH NIAID are credited.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) . NIAID is strongly committed to protecting the integrity and confidentiality of the peer review process. When NIH responds to FOIA requests for grant applications and summary statements, the material will be subject to FOIA exemptions and include substantial redactions. NIH must protect all confidential commercial or financial information, reviewer comments and deliberations, and personal privacy information.

Note on Section 508 Conformance and Accessibility.  We have reformatted these samples to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and users of assistive technology. If you have trouble accessing the content, please contact the NIAID Office of Knowledge and Educational Resources at [email protected] .

Table of Contents

Find sample applications and summary statements below by type:

• Research grants. R01 , R03 , R15 , R21 , and R21/R33
• Small business grants. R41, R42, R43, and R44
• Training and career awards.  K01 , K08 , K23 , and F31
• Extramural Associate Research Development Award.  G11
• Cooperative agreements. U01  

Find additional resources in the  NIAID and NIH Sample Forms, Plans, Letters, Emails, and More  section.

Research Grants

R01 sample applications and summary statements.

The R01 is the NIH standard independent research project grant. An R01 is meant to give you 4 or 5 years of support to complete a project, publish, and reapply before the grant ends. Read more at NIAID’s Comparing Popular Research Project Grants: R01, R03, and R21 .

R01 Samples Using Forms Version D

R01 Samples Using Forms Version C

R03 Sample Applications and Summary Statements

The small grant (R03) supports new research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. They are awarded for up to 2 years and are not renewable. R03s are not intended for new investigators. Read more at NIAID’s Comparing Popular Research Project Grants: R01, R03, and R21 .

R15 Sample Applications and Summary Statements

The Research Enhancement Award (R15) program supports small-scale research projects to expose students to research and strengthen the research environment at educational institutions that have not been major recipients of NIH support. They are awarded for up to 3 years.

R21 Sample Applications and Summary Statements

The R21 funds novel scientific ideas, model systems, tools, agents, targets, and technologies that have the potential to substantially advance biomedical research. R21s are not intended for new investigators, and there is no evidence that they provide a path to an independent research career. Read more at NIAID’s Comparing Popular Research Project Grants: R01, R03, and R21 .

R21/R33 Sample Application and Summary Statement

The R21/R33 supports a two-phased award without a break in funding. It begins with the R21 phase for milestone-driven exploratory or feasibility studies with a possible transition to the R33 phase for expanded development. Transition to the second phase depends on several factors, including the achievement of negotiated milestones.

Small Business Grants

R41, r42, r43, and r44 – small business sample applications.

The SBIR (R43/R44) and STTR (R41/R42) programs support domestic small businesses to engage in research and development with the potential for commercialization. Read more about NIAID Small Business Programs .

*Dr. Mark Poritz submitted the original grant application. In the course of the first year of funding, Dr. Andrew Hemmert took on increasing responsibility for the work. For the grant renewal, Dr. Poritz proposed that Dr. Hemmert replace him as the PI.

Training and Career Awards

K01 sample applications and summary statements.

The Research Scientist Development Award (K01) supports those with a research or health-professional doctoral degree and research development plans in epidemiology, computational modeling, or outcomes research. Read more about NIAID Research Career Development (K) Awards .

K08 Sample Applications and Summary Statements

The Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) supports those with current work in biomedical or behavioral research, including translational research, a clinical doctoral degree such as M.D., D.V.M., or O.D., and a professional license to practice in the United States. Read more about NIAID Research Career Development (K) Awards .

K23 Sample Applications and Summary Statements

The Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23) supports those with a clinical doctoral degree, who have the potential to develop into productive, clinical investigators, and who have made a commitment to focus their research endeavors on patient-oriented research. Read more about NIAID Research Career Development (K) Awards .

F31 Sample Applications and Summary Statements

National Research Service Award (NRSA) individual fellowship (F31) grants provide research experience to predoctoral scientists. Read more about NIAID  Fellowship Grants (F) .

G11 Sample Applications and Summary Statements

The Extramural Associate Research Development Award (EARDA) (G11) provides funds to institutions eligible to participate in the NIH Extramural Associates Program for establishing or enhancing an office of sponsored research and for other research infrastructure needs. Search for NIAID G11 Opportunities .

U01 Sample Application and Summary Statement

The U01 research project cooperative agreement supports a discrete, specified, circumscribed project for investigators to perform in their areas of specific interest and competency. Learn more about NIAID Cooperative Agreements (U) . 

NIAID and NIH Sample Forms, Plans, Letters, Emails, and More

• Complex Model Organisms Sharing Plan
• Model Organisms Sharing Plan for Mice
• Simple Model Organisms Sharing Plan
• Sample Letter to Document Training in the Protection of Human Subjects
• Withdrawal of an Application Sample Form Letter
• Sample Just-in-Time Email From NIH
• Sample NIAID Request for Just-in-Time Information
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• Subaward Templates and Tools from the Federal Demonstration Partnership
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• Sample Cancer Epidemiology Grant Applications
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• Sample Implementation Science Research Applications
• K99/R00 Sample Applications
• Annotated SF 424 Grant Application Forms
• Biosketch Format Pages, Instructions and Samples
• Reference Letters
• Sample Data Tables for Training Grant Applications
• Additional Senior/Key Person Profile Format – for over 100 senior/key people
• Additional Performance Site Format – for over 300 performance sites
• Other Support Format Page
• Scientific Rigor Examples
• Authentication Plan Examples
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• Examples of Project Leadership Plans for Multiple PI Grant Applications
• Example calculations in the Usage of Person Months questions and answers
• Examples of Allowable Appendix Materials
• Sample Project Outcomes Description  for RPPR
• Worksheet for Review of the Vertebrate Animal Section (VAS)
• Sample Animal Study Proposal

Have Questions?

A program officer in your area of science can give you application advice, NIAID's perspective on your research, and confirmation that your proposed research fits within NIAID’s mission.

Find contacts and instructions at When to Contact an NIAID Program Officer .

Letter Templates

letter of intent sample for research

If you are planning to submit a research proposal for funding or admission to a graduate program, you might be required to include a letter of intent. This document outlines your research goals, methodology, and expected outcomes. To help you get started, we have compiled several letter of intent samples for research. You can find examples below and edit them as needed.

Examples of Letter of Intent for Research

Biomedical research.

Greeting: Dear Reviewer,

We are writing this letter to express our intent to conduct a research study in the field of biomedical research. Our team comprises experts in various specialties, including microbiology, biochemistry, and genetics. We plan to investigate the role of specific genetic mutations in the development of a rare disease. Our methodology will include a combination of in vitro assays and animal models. Our expected outcomes include identifying potential targets for drug development and contributing to the understanding of the disease pathogenesis.

Complimentary close: Sincerely,

Social Sciences

Greeting: Dear Admissions Committee,

I am writing this letter to express my intent to conduct research in the field of social sciences. My research interests focus on the impact of social media on mental health. I plan to conduct qualitative interviews with individuals who have experienced mental health issues and have used social media as a coping mechanism. My expected outcomes include developing a deeper understanding of the role of social media in mental health and contributing to the development of evidence-based interventions.

Complimentary close: Best regards,

I am writing this letter to express my intent to conduct research in the field of education. My research interests focus on the use of technology in language learning. I plan to conduct a mixed-methods study investigating the effectiveness of a mobile application for language learning. My expected outcomes include demonstrating the potential of technology in language learning and contributing to the development of evidence-based teaching practices.

Environmental Science

Greeting: Dear Funding Agency,

We are writing this letter to express our intent to conduct research in the field of environmental science. Our research interests focus on the impact of climate change on biodiversity conservation. We plan to conduct a field study investigating the effect of temperature and precipitation on the distribution and abundance of selected plant species. Our expected outcomes include contributing to the understanding of the effects of climate change on ecological communities and informing conservation policies.

Complimentary close: Respectfully,

Engineering

I am writing this letter to express my intent to conduct research in the field of engineering. My research interests focus on the development of sustainable energy systems. I plan to design and test a small-scale wind turbine that utilizes a novel blade design. My expected outcomes include demonstrating the feasibility of the blade design and contributing to the development of sustainable energy technologies.

We are writing this letter to express our intent to conduct research in the field of business. Our research interests focus on the impact of organizational culture on employee engagement. We plan to conduct a survey-based study investigating the relationship between organizational culture, employee engagement, and job satisfaction. Our expected outcomes include identifying strategies for improving employee engagement and contributing to the development of evidence-based human resource management practices.

Tips for Writing a Letter of Intent for Research

If you are writing a letter of intent for research, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Follow the guidelines

Make sure to read and follow the guidelines provided by the funding agency or the graduate program. Pay attention to formatting, word count, and required sections.

2. Be clear and concise

Avoid jargon and technical terms that might be unfamiliar to the reader. Use simple, clear language to convey your research goals and methodology.

3. Focus on the significance of your research

Explain why your research is important and how it contributes to the field. Highlight the potential outcomes and impact of your research.

4. Provide evidence of your qualifications

Include a brief overview of your academic and research background to demonstrate your qualifications and expertise.

5. Proofread and edit

Make sure to proofread and edit your letter carefully. Ask a colleague or mentor to review your letter before submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a letter of intent for research.

A letter of intent for research outlines your research goals, methodology, and expected outcomes. It is usually required when submitting a research proposal for funding or admission to a graduate program.

What should be included in a letter of intent for research?

A letter of intent for research should include an introduction, a brief overview of your academic and research background, a description of your research goals and methodology, and an explanation of the expected outcomes and impact of your research.

How long should a letter of intent for research be?

A letter of intent for research should be no more than two pages long. Follow the guidelines provided by the funding agency or the graduate program.

What is the difference between a letter of intent and a research proposal?

A letter of intent is usually a brief document outlining your research goals, methodology, and expected outcomes. A research proposal, on the other hand, is a more detailed document that includes a literature review, a methodology section, and a budget.

What is the tone of a letter of intent for research?

A letter of intent for research should be formal and professional. Avoid using slang, contractions, or colloquialisms.

Can I use a template for a letter of intent for research?

Yes, you can use a template for a letter of intent for research. However, make sure to customize the template to fit your specific research goals and methodology. Avoid using generic templates that lack specificity.

Writing a letter of intent for research can be a daunting task, but it is a crucial step in securing funding or admission to a graduate program. By following the tips outlined above and using the examples provided, you can create a compelling and persuasive letter that showcases your research goals and expertise. Remember to proofread and edit your letter carefully, and seek feedback from colleagues or mentors. Good luck!

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Letters of Intent

620 W. Lexington St. Fourth Floor Baltimore, MD 21201

P 410-706-6723

Letters of intent to apply and preliminary proposals or “pre-proposals” are in a gray area with regard to routing. Neither the letter of intent nor the pre-proposal, as such, will result in funding. However, an institutional endorsement is often required. Should these documents be routed?

Letters of intent

A letter of intent is a non-binding document that simply helps the sponsor determine how many applications can be expected as a result of the solicitation or announcement and, in some cases, how many reviewers and the specific expertise that is likely to be needed for peer review. Letters of intent do not need to be routed.

NIH - Are Letters of Intent Required?

Preliminary proposals (Pre-proposals)

Pre-proposals may serve a similar purpose of sponsor resource allocation but often are used to determine the "top tier" of proposals. In this case, after review of the preliminary proposals, a select number of these applicants are invited to submit full applications. Some companies request a preliminary proposal for their consideration for support of a research project.

Pre-proposals that include a preliminary or estimated budget should be routed. The preliminary or estimated budget should include Facilities and Administrative Costs (indirect costs) at the appropriate rate. If turnaround time for submission of the pre-proposal is short, Office of Research and Development staff will work with you to meet the deadline.

If a full proposal is submitted as a follow-up to the preliminary proposal, the full proposal must be routed as a "New" submission even if the preliminary proposal was routed. For system-to-system Grants.gov submissions, follow agency instructions for referencing or attaching the pre-proposal.

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How to Write a Letter of Intent When Applying to a Graduate Program Research-oriented graduate programs (Masters and PhD) often require applicants to submit letters of intent. Typically, a program admissions committee uses the letter of intent to determine whether the applicant's academic and career goals fit with the program and the professors' areas of expertise. The letter of intent may also be used to match a successful applicant with a supervisor. Focus on goals In writing your letter of intent, describe clearly why you want to study for a graduate degree. How will the degree enable you to accomplish your career goals? What areas of research interest you? Mention one or two research areas in sufficient detail to allow the admissions committee to form a clear picture of your interests. A few references to the research literature are helpful. Explain how your background and acquired skills have prepared you to succeed in the program and in your areas of research specialization. Your letter of intent and declaration of research interest is not a binding contract. Although the letter may be key to your admission into the program and facilitate your assignment to a supervisor with similar interests, most programs recognize that students' goals and interests change and that such changes are legitimate. Usually you are free to switch to a different specialization within the program. Contact a professor A good strategy for choosing a graduate program is to read the CVs of professors who teach in the program. Pay particular attention to their lists of publications. If you can identify one professor whose research specialization most closely matches your interests, it is often a good idea to contact him or her by email or telephone to get more information. Most professors are happy to talk with potential students about their research and the graduate programs they teach in. Size and format Your letter of intent should be one to two pages of succinctly written prose, or 400 to 800 words including a brief reference list. Appropriately citing a few research articles demonstrates that you have some aquaintance with the area in which you are proposing to work, and that you understand the conventions of bibliographic citation in that area. When applying to programs in the social sciences and education, your citations should strictly adhere to APA (American Psychological Association) form. If You are Rejected If your application is rejected do not assume that your qualifications are not good enough for graduate school. An admissions committee sometimes rejects an applicant because it judges that no professors in the program have the expertise to supervise the type of research outlined in the letter of intent. It is also possible that there are professors who do have the expertise, but they are unable to take on more graduate students. Do not hesitate to re-apply to the same program for a later intake if you were rejected for this reason. If You are Accepted If your application is accepted you will usually be assigned a pro-tem (temporary) supervisor who will serve as your academic advisor. Your pro-tem supervisor was likely assigned to you because his or her research interests match those you indicated in your letter of intent. In most cases, the pro-tem supervisor becomes the student's senior supervisor at a later point in the program, or helps the student to identify a more suitable senior supervisor. Updated 2008.01.11 © John C. Nesbit