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Creating a Competitive Proposal

Crafting a strong proposal takes strategy, clarity, and support. ORD is here to connect you with the tools, examples, and personalized guidance you need to make your application as competitive as possible. 

While it may be tempting to start with a sample proposal, it’s often more effective to begin with strategic planning and a clear understanding of funder expectations. Below, we offer guidance on how to get started—and how to request relevant examples when they’re most useful. 

Step 1: Define Your Opportunity 

Before seeking templates or examples, identify the key parameters of your project: 

• What do you hope to accomplish with funding? 
• What funder and program are you targeting? 
• What type of proposal is it (research, equipment, planning, training, etc.)? 
• Are you the PI, a co-PI, or supporting another role? 
• Do you have deadlines or internal approvals to consider? 

Having clarity on your goals will make everything else—timelines, templates, and support—more focused. 

Step 2: Understand the Funder’s Expectations 

Every funder has a distinct review process and set of priorities. To make your proposal competitive: 

• Review the solicitation (RFP/NOFO/BAA) carefully 
• Look for review criteria, scoring rubrics, or FAQs 
• Consider the “why” behind your work (what is the point?) 
• Explore the funder’s mission, past awardees, and strategic goals to ensure they align with your “why” 
• Attend program officer webinars or reach out for clarification 

ORD can help you decode these materials and align your proposal strategy accordingly. 

Step 3: Use Samples Strategically 

Sample proposals can be useful—but only in context. They’re most helpful for: 

• Understanding how to structure a narrative 
• Learning how others frame significance or innovation 
• Reviewing budget justifications or biosketch formats 
• Seeing examples of reviewer feedback (when available) 

If you’d like help locating a sample that aligns with your funder and project, contact our office. We can also help you access publicly available examples from federal agencies (e.g., NIH, NSF, Dept. of Education). 

Step 4: Work With Us 

You don't have to navigate this process alone. Research Development offers: 

• One-on-one consultations to map out your proposal strategy 
• Help locating or interpreting successful proposal examples 
• Editorial feedback on proposal drafts (structure, clarity, responsiveness to review 
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• Coordination with Sponsored Programs, department chairs, and other support offices 

We’re here to be a sounding board, strategy partner, and behind-the-scenes collaborator. Email us at researchdevelopment@umontana.edu or call us at 406-243-5303.

Step 5: Respect Proposal Ethics 

If you do receive a proposal sample—from a colleague, an agency website, or our office—please treat it responsibly: 

• Do not copy text or budget materials without attribution or permission 
• Do not share someone else’s proposal without their explicit consent 
• Use samples to inform your thinking, not to replicate someone else’s ideas 

Research proposals are intellectual property, and ethical practices matter at every stage of the funding process. 

Ready to Begin?

If you're preparing a proposal or simply exploring your options, we encourage you to reach out early. Contact the Office of Research Development to start a conversation. 

Together, we’ll help you shape a proposal that reflects your vision—and gives reviewers every reason to say yes.