No space between paragraphs (see Line and Paragraph Spacing in Word)
In order to save space, you do not need to put your name or title on the proposal document, as that information will appear on the application form.
Proposals now require the following subheadings: Introduction, Background/Lit Review, Methodology, and Qualifications. Your research question/hypothesis should be in bold.
Proposals that do not meet these formatting expectations may not be considered by the review committee.
PROPOSAL TOPICS
You have introduced your project (not just its topic!) in the first paragraph.
Your background and literature review covers what is known about your research topic and what you will contribute to the topic. It ends with your explicitly stated research question or research hypothesis.
Your methodology describes how you are getting information or data.
Your methodology describes how you will USE the information or data you gather to answer your question.
You have a paragraph describing how you have (or will learn) the skills needed for your project.
You end on a statement of how your research will help you with your academic or career goals.
POST-PROPOSAL ATTACHMENTS
All applications require a budget and a Works Cited list. It is recommended by the committee that you name on your Works Cited list what citation style you are using.
If you are going to interview specific people or travel to a specific place to find them, you have an appendix providing proof that you have contacted those people (and they have agreed to support your project).
If you reference a figure in your proposal, it is attached (DO NOT use figures to explain your concepts completely).
If you are conducting interviews or surveys, you have an appendix providing the questions you will ask.
If you will interact with human subjects or data from human subjects, you have included the submission number for your separate IRB application (see Northwestern IRB). You do not need to have your final IRB approval at this time, but you need to have submitted that application prior to your URG.
Post-proposal appendices do not count towards the proposal’s two page limit.
FACULTY ENDORSEMENT
You have informed your faculty endorser that you are applying for a URG.
You have informed them that they must submit their endorsement within 24 hours of the deadline.
You have obtained their email address or netID, which you will need to enter when submitting your proposal online. If your endorser is from another university, contact the URG Coordinator ASAP.
FINAL NOTES
Review the online submission form ahead of time to ensure you have all of the information you need. The deadline is 11:59 pm.
When you submit your application, you MUST complete the survey or your proposal will not go through to the system
If you need help, please submit an Advising Request Form to meet with a URG advisor.
