Serving the countries of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu

Project ProposalTemplate[1]

Name of Research Cluster:

Signature of Research Cluster Leader:

Title of Project:

Duration of Project: Start DateEnd Date:

Name of Project Leader:

Signature of Project Leader:

Names of Project Team Members:

1.Summary of Project for Non-Experts – 1/2 page maximum

This section should clearly state the purpose of the project and identify reasons why the work should be funded by the USP, making clear the value and impact of the work and its relevance to the USP Strategy Plan.

2.Introduction (to include background, statement of the problem(s) and literature review) – 1 page maximum

This section should justify the work in the context of current scientific knowledge in the project area.

2.1Background

2.2Problem(s) to be addressed

2.3Literature Review

Do not forget to include the Bibliography.

3.Project Objectives and Expected Outcomes – 1/2 page maximum

3.1 Objectives

Start your sentence with “To…”

An activity may not be a research objective. For example, “To publish a paper…” is not a research activity.

3.2Expected Outcomes

4.Project Methodology – 2 pages maximum

Describe, where applicable, variables to be measured; research design; data collection techniques and tools; sampling method and size; plan for data collection; plan for data processing and analysis; and pre-testing the methodology.

Note that the difference between Objectives and Methodology. An objective is “what to do” and a methodology is “how to do it.” Hence, for every research objective, there must be a research methodology. A clear mapping is necessary to understand your proposal.

Attach copies of questionnaires if they a means to collect data. If an interview is planned, explain the types of questions to be asked. This is necessary for ethics consideration.

5.Relevant Experience of Research Team – 1/2 page maximum

This section should be used to outline the track record and interests of the team submitting the proposal. Academic interests of research team, publications and details of research grants awarded should be included.

6.Sustainability of the Project - 1/2 page maximum

6.1 What happens at the end of this Project?

6.2Likely follow-on events

6.3 Will this Project attract future external funding? Give reasons for your answer.

7.Project Management – 1/2 page maximum

Describe how the project will be managed.

8.Implementation Plan/Timeline – 2 pages maximum

8.1 Work Schedule

A Work Schedulea table that summarizes the tasks to be performed in a research project, the duration of each activity and who is responsible for the different tasks.

The version of a work schedule given on the following page includes:

  • The tasks to be performed;
  • The dates each task should begin and be completed;
  • Research team, research assistants and support staff (drivers, typists) assigned to the tasks
  • Person-days required by research team members, research assistants and support staff (The number of person-days equals the number of working days per person)

Example of a Work Schedule[2]

8.2Gantt Chart

A GANTT chart is a planning tool that depicts graphically the order in which various tasks must be completed and the duration of each activity.The GANTT chart shown on the following page indicates:

  • the tasks to be performed;
  • who is responsible for each task; and
  • the time each task is expected to take.

The length of each task is shown by a bar that extends over the number of days, weeks or months the task is expected to take.

Example:

9. Budget – 2 pages maximum

9.1 Funding requested for each year of the project.

Year 1: Year 2: Year 3:

9.2 Details of Budget

Indicate what funds are required for the project as a whole. Please use the following format as per the requirements of your proposal. See Appendix for USP Rates.

Example:UNIT COST (e.g., per diem or cost of petrol per km), the MULTIPLYING FACTOR (number of days), and TOTAL COST are required for all budget categories.

9.3Matched funding arrangements

Please indicate if there are arrangements for matched funding from other internal and/or external sources.

10. Project Evaluation and Reporting – 1 page maximum

Fill in the logframe matrix below.

Narrative Summary and
Intervention Logic / Performance Indicators / Means of Verification / Assumptions
Goal (over-arching, ‘global’ objective pertaining to the programme) / General global indicator (s) / Documents, reports, surveys, evaluations, statistics etc to support indicators / “Support for project from key stakeholders” is essential
Objective 1
(specific to the project or programme see narrative) / Specific to Objective 1 / As above / Must be relevant. Too many assumptions may hinder realisation of project or programme objectives
Outcome/Result 1.1
(related to Objective 1 as in the narrative / Relevant to Outcome/Result 1.1, measurable and time specific / As above / As above
Outcome/Result 1.2
Specific to Objective 1;distinct from Output 1.1 / Relevant to Outcome/Result 1.2, measurable and time specific / As above / As above
Objective 2
Specific to the project – see narrative / Specific to Objective 2 / As above / As above
Outcome/Result 2.1
Specific to Objective 2 as in narrative / As above / As above / As above
Outcome/Result 2.2 (etc) / As above / As above / As above

11.Ethical Considerations

The Human Ethics Form and the Animal Ethics Form must be filled and attached to this application.

12.Key References – 1 page maximum

Provide key references that set the work in the context of current knowledge with reference to international literature sources. The format of citation must follow one of the styles in the sciences. The use of software – such as Endnote or BibTeX – that manages bibliography and references – is essential.

  • The American Chemical Society style, or ACS style, is often used in chemistry and other physical sciences
  • The American Institute of Physics (AIP style) for physicists
  • The American Mathematical Society (AMS), or AMS styles, such as AMS-LaTeX, are typically implemented using the BibTeX tool in the LaTeX typesetting environment, for mathematicians;
  • The Vancouver system, recommended by the Council of Science Editors (CSE), is used in medical and scientific papers and research.
  • The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), or IEEE style, for engineers.

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[1] To ensure consistency all proposals must be written in Times New Roman font, size 12, maximum 12 pages long, one-sided only. Attach all supporting documents such as letters of support, regional or national policies, etc.

[2]The International Development Research Centre (IDRC), of Canada, has permitted us to use parts of their research modules: DESIGNING AND CONDUCTING HEALTH SYSTEMS RESEARCH PROJECTS

VOLUME 1

VOLUME 2