Research Roadmap

Plan your proposal

Start with carefully reading the Funding Opportunity Announcement and sponsor's instructions. This will help guide the development of your research proposal.

Research staff is also encouraged to work with Research supporting services to identify the technical and administrative requirements that need to be addressed in their research proposals. These requirements may vary depending on the source of funding.

Additionally, specific (internal) policies and guidelines apply depending on the type of research you plan to conduct, such as research involving human participants, medicinal products, medical devices and/or in-vitro diagnostics. Consult the dedicated pages for more information.

Develop proposal content

Most research proposals must contain a research plan, budget, budget justification, collaborator letters of intent, Curriculum Vitae (CV), and, where applicable, other funder-required documentation.

Early planning and review, particularly regarding the collection of researchers' CV and collaborator information, can help with preparation and prevent delays in proposal routing. Coordinate the collection of letters of support or commitment from other researchers or research institutes early in the process to ensure final copies are received and included in the proposal before internal, external and/or funder submission deadlines.

Additional considerations may apply depending on the specifics of your research plan and the composition of your research team.

Research plan

The research plan should describe the proposed research and may include a timeline, milestones, and deliverables. Always consult funder's guidelines and any relevant funding opportunity announcements for guidance. The required level of detail depends on the type of proposal or award (e.g., grant or contract) and the sponsor's expectations. Aim to provide sufficient detail to meet the sponsor's requirements, while maintaining enough flexibility to adjust the scope of your research if necessary. Ensure that your research plan clearly outlines the purpose and objectives, so that administrative and compliance reviewers have all the information needed for their assessment.