Discuss your research methodology with a known expert in your field, for example, a tenured professor at your university. The expert can give you feedback on your plans, can recommend additional strategies and may advise you on past, similar research you can build upon. Mentioning that you talked with an expert will work favorably in your research request.
Write the title page of your research request according to the requirements of the specific funding agency you're applying to. The title page should include the title of the research project, the researcher's name, the department and university affiliation, the funding agency's name and address, proposed research dates and the requested funding in dollars.
Write the abstract, a brief, explicit summary of your project's nature and purpose. This statement should include the purpose of your research, your goals, research design and methodology, if applicable, and the contribution your project will make to the academic community or society as a whole.
Write an introduction for your research request. Here, you can go into more detail about the project's purpose, goals and contribution. This is the place to mention experts you spoke with and how they informed your methodology. You can also mention past studies and how your research differs from and builds upon past work.
Write a literature review, if required. The literature review is a summary and evaluation of past work. This section illustrates your knowledge of key research in your field.
Outline your project in explicit detail, with separate headings for the problem statement, objectives, hypothesis, methodology and outcomes, and how you plan to share your research. Explain any traveling you will need to do or equipment you'll need to purchase.
Include your resume and resumes of any other staff working on your project. If you are working with any staff, describe their skills and their project roles in a separate section. If you plan to hire new staff, describe their functions and required skills.
Outline the project's budget in an itemized list. For example:
$500 airfare to Chicago, Il.
$50 postage for survey mailings
$100 compensation for 10 survey participants at $10 each.
Add up the budget to make sure it equals the funding requested in your title page.
Write a timeline for your project including the dates you plan to begin and complete each phase of your project.
Ask a professor to review your proposal before sending it in. Print the final request on good-quality paper.