Research Proposal Template for International Scholarships
Personal information:
- Surname (family name)
- Given name
- Nationality
- Research Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Main Body:
- Title of Proposed Study
- Abstract: (one paragraph) (Max 300 words)
- Background to the Study and Literature Review: (What have you read that has had an impact on your thinking about the topic?) (Max 1000 words)
- Statement of the Problem: (What is the gap in knowledge? Why does this research need to be conducted? (Max 250 words)
- Objectives of the Study: (What does the study hope to achieve?) (Max 5 objectives)
- Questions and/or Hypotheses: (State the unknown in terms of questions or terms of solutions.)
- Justification: (Please highlight elements of creative thinking and innovative approach. Why this would be suitable for PhD-level research) (Max 1000 words)
- Proposed Research Design, Methods/Procedures: (This answers the question, “How will you conduct the study?”) (Max 500 words)
- References: (Include all the resources that have been used in the writing of the concept note. Follow APA standard format for the references.)
I have reviewed the student’s study plan, and it meets the requirements.
Signature of Provisional Supervisor: ______________
Date: _____
Strong tips for a research proposal:
- Clearly define your research question: Ensure it’s specific, focused, and achievable.
- Conduct a thorough literature review: Analyze existing research, identifying gaps and areas for further exploration.
- Develop a robust methodology: Justify your chosen methods and procedures.
- Highlight novelty and significance: Emphasize the originality and potential impact of your research.
- Showcase your expertise: Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the research area.
- Write clearly and concisely: Ensure your proposal is well-written, free of errors, and easy to understand.
- Edit and proofread carefully: Review your proposal for errors, consistency, and flow.
- Seek feedback: Obtain feedback from mentors, peers, or experts to improve your proposal’s quality and validity.
