example of research project description

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Writing a Project Description

When writing a project description for external funding always think of your audience. It is essential to use plain English, define your key terms and cite key international and easily accessible references wherever possible. Succinctness and clarity is key.

All funding agencies have a page limit with 6-8 pages being common. A quality application is readable, feasible and interesting.

The following structure may not necessarily suit all submissions. Always read the guidelines and then read them again.

Don't hesitate to contact your Research Development Officer (RDO) for assistance.

Project title

Your project title should:

Use less than 20 words
Be catchy and memorable.

Project summary

The project summary:

Is usually limited to 50-100 words
Includes aims, outcomes, significance and social and/or economic benefits of the research
Is often best written last
Should use language suitable for public/press release
Can be used as a marketing tool.

Consider the following:

What is the field of study? What is the object of the research?
Keep aims clear and succinct
Dot points can work well
Think about the nature of the research – basic, strategic, applied or experimental
Ask is it genuinely feasible? Does it replicate work done elsewhere?
Let the reader know the context of the research issues
Use subheadings to identify themes and/or other issues
How do people achieve that objective now?
Are there any current unresolved issues in your field? Why are they unresolved or unsatisfactory? How do you think you will overcome the problem/issue?
Bring out your knowledge of the field and literature. Let readers know you have the expertise. You are not only selling the idea, but also the researcher and/or research team
Include information about recent international progress in the field of the research, and the relationship of this proposal to work in the field generally
Define your key terms and cite key international and easily accessible references wherever possible

Significance and innovation

Describe and detail the significance of the research and whether the research addresses an important problem. Ask yourself the following:

Why undertake the research?
Will I strengthen basic knowledge?
Will I provide the answer to an important practical or significant problem?
Does my project have particular resonance for the future e.g. global environmental issues?
How will the anticipated outcomes advance the knowledge base of the discipline?
What is novel and innovative about the approach I am using?
What new methodologies or technologies will be developed?

Approach and training

Describe the conceptual framework
Describe the design and methods to be used
Explain how these are appropriate and how they integrate with the aims of the project
Provide step-by-step detail
How will you collect your data and what will you do with it i.e. what framework will inform your analysis?
Convince the reader you understand/have experience in undertaking qualitative/quantitative research

If the research work provides research training explain how the intellectual content and scale of the work proposed will be deserving of a research higher degree. If the research training is embedded in a larger project, describe/separate the part that the student will focus on.

Timetabling

This is a measure of the project's feasibility and your chance to let readers know who is doing what. You should:

Link phases of the research plan/approach with the anticipated timeline
List any milestones – draft reports etc.
Build in any ethics clearances required.

Expected outcomes

Describe the expected outcomes and likely impact of the proposed research. You should:

Link to the aims – what will the anticiapted results be of what you plan to do?
Be realistic as you will be judged on these outcomes
Check the University's Intellectual Property Policy.

Communication of results

Outline plans for communicating the research results by thinking of both the users and benefits of the this research. Consideration should be given to each of the following:

If communication of results will be undertaken formally through journal articles or conference presentations, try to be specific and name the journals and conferences.
If communication of results will be undertaken informally, name the interest groups, types of reports, websites, etc. you will use/target
Media strategies
Training of students

Benefit of the research

Describe how the research project might result in economic and/or social benefits. Consider the following questions:

Why are you doing the research?
What are the expected benefits for the specific industry and/or industry sector? List separately.
What are the expected benefits for the Australian community more broadly?

Description of personnel

Summarise the role, responsibilities and contributions of each investigator.

Who brings what expertise? Which part of the project are they driving if relevant?
You should also summarise the roles and levels of involvement of other participants e.g. technical staff, students, research assistants and/or research associates.
Include a list of all references. Usually these also must be within the page limit.
Cite only the key international, substantive and easily accessible references wherever possible.
Avoid using a footnote system, use endnotes instead.

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