Common Components of a Proposal

Sponsor-Specific Guidance 

Applying to New Hampshire State Agencies

Institutional Information

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Common Components of a Proposal

Elements common to most proposals include:

• Cover page
• Abstract or project summary
• Proposal narrative/project description
• Bibliography/references
• Curriculum vita/biographical sketch
• Other support
• Budget and budget justification  
• Certifications and assurances 

Guidance offered by sponsors, including page limits and required/suggested format, should be closely reviewed and observed since proposals are screened for compliance to these requirements before being reviewed for content.

Cover Page:

The cover page may include information such as:

• Project Title
• Period of performance
• Amount requested
• Principal Investigator's contact information
• Authorized Official’s contact information
• Principal Investigator's and/or Authorized Official’s Signatures

Note: At UNH, your Grant and Contact Administrator (GCA) is the Authorized Official for your proposal.

Abstract or Project Summary

The abstract or project summary is generally a short description of the project, its objectives, methodology, and its significance or anticipated impact.   The abstract is usually written for a general audience.

Be sure to refer to the instructions provided by the sponsor and program for details of how to construct it and exaclty what to include.

Proposal Narrative/Project Description

The Proposal Narrative provides a detailed explanation of the project, including an identification of the need to be met and a full description of objectives, methods, and timelines.   

Bibliography/References

Citation of previous work in the field is critical. Proposers should follow the sponsor's instructions and accepted scholarly practice for citing source materials utilized in preparing their proposals.  

Curriculum Vita/Biographical Sketch

The proposal should include curriculum vitae/biographical sketches for key personnel.  

The characterization of a person as key personnel is generally at the PI’s discretion but is ordinarily assumed to be limited to the PI and other persons essential to the project’s success.

Be sure to follow the sponsor's specific guidance for the information and format required for the biographical sketches.

UNH Template and Guide to NSF Biosketch - Sr Personnel -- GPG 11-1 JAN 2011

Other Support

Most sponsors will require an accurate listing of other support, both current and pending, for any key personnel. 

This template, though developed specifically for National Science Foundation (NSF) proposals, is a good starting point no matter what sponsor you're applying to.  Just be sure to check that you've included all the information your sponsor requests.

NSF Current & Pending Support Template

Budget/Budget Justification  

All proposals will need a statement of the expected costs and an explanation, or justification, of those costs. 

See the "Develop a Budget" section for detailed information and tools to create this important part of your proposal.

Certifications and Assurances

When your GCA signs a grant application to a federal agency or to a federally-sourced program at the State, they commit the institution to compliance with a wide-ranging set of laws and executive orders that apply to nearly all federal assistance.  These compliance requirement stem from a variety of civil rights, privacy, environmental protection, and fraud, waste, and abuse policy laws, among others.

Sponsor-Specific Guidance

Every sponsor will have specific instructions for preparing a proposal tht must be followed for the proposal to be accepted for consideration -- formatting, content, allowed activities and costs, etc.  These instructions will be provided in the specific program description or request for proposals/applications and/or in general guidelines.

In addition, the sponsor may offer tips or other guidance for preparing a proposal that is more likely to be selected for funding.

Proposal Development Resources from Sponsors points to many of these resources.

Applying to New Hampshire State Agencies

UNH and the New Hampshire state agencies have developed a standard proposal format, template, budget template and set of agreement terms that are to be used when applying to any of the agencies:

Your GCA who specializes in NH Agencies can assist you with preparing your proposal.

Find your Grant & Contract Administrator

Institutional Information

Information about UNH needed by sponsors (identification and assurance numbers, etc.) is compiled on the UNH Identification and Assurances Page.

A copy of the IRS letter granting UNH 501(c)(3) [non-profit] status can be found here: UNH Tax Exemption Letter.