Common-Sense Hints on Writing a Successful RAC Proposal
by Bob Waide, Department of Biology, rwaide@lternet.edu
The Research Allocations Committee is responsible for supervising and allocating the Faculty Research Fund. It is the job of the RAC Committee to disperse these funds, and it is the job of the individual investigator to help them do that by writing good proposals.
Good proposals have three elements: a good idea and accompanying implementation scheme, a clear and compelling exposition of the idea and scheme, and a series of required elements. Proposals that do not incorporate these elements fail. Proposals that do incorporate these elements succeed.
Useful tips
- Read the guidelines
- Submit early before the money runs out
- Do a good job the first time
- Use your budget justification and appendix wisely
- Become familiar with UNM travel regs
- Don’t cut corners
- Itemize your budget
- Ask questions
- Consult sample proposals
- Justify trips to archives and obtain permissions ahead of time
- A few references help, when they support your case
- Avoid the appearance of a fishing expedition, unless your research is on fish
Common mistakes
- Use of jargon
- Failure to include section of the significance of the proposed research
- Failure to include specifics in the dissemination plan
- Supporting student work leading to an advanced degree
- Not accounting for project income
- Letting your proposed work extend past September 30
- Not submitting a final report
- Not obtaining your approvals
