Andrew J. Friedland, Professor of Environmental Science at Dartmouth

Writing Successful Science Proposals

Andrew J. Friedland and Carol L. Folt

Friedland, A.J. and C.L. Folt. 2000. Writing Successful Science Proposals. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Table of Contents and Sample Chapters

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Yale University Press, 2000
ISBN: Cloth 0-300-08140-5
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"An important, engaging, and substantive book. The authors lead the reader through the proposal maze logically and clearly."
DAVID SCHIMEL, National Center for Atmospheric Research

"Friedland and Folt are the Strunk and White of proposal writing. They have written a clear, concise guide to scientific proposal writing that captures the essence of the scientific enterprise."
GRAEME BERLYN, Yale University

"This book is full of remarkably good advice guiding readers through the steps necessary for producing an effective grant proposal -- steps that most of us had to learn by trial and error.....whether readers are preparing a proposal or not, here are the key ingredients for planing and carrying out successful scientific research."
NELSON G. HAIRSTON, Jr. Cornell University

Writing a successful science proposal can seem intimidating and even baffling. What makes one proposal stand out from the tens of thousands that are submitted each year to government agencies, private corporations and foundations, and academic committees? This authoritative and readable book explains every aspect of proposal writing, from conceiving and designing a project to analyzing data, synthesizing results, and estimating a budget. It is a step-to-step guide to writing an effective and competitive scientific proposal.

The book starts with a discussion of the earliest ideas and formulations of a project, then examines the issue of authorship, different granting agency formats, and ways to ensure a strong scientific foundation for a proposal.

The book offers advice on:
selecting a strong title
developing an effective summary
articulating objectives and hypotheses
writing a good introduction
choosing experimental design and methods
planning for expected and unexpected results
the ethics of research

Guidance on the final phases of a proposal is also provided -- how to list references, track the progress of the proposal, revise, and resubmit. For any scientist embarking on a thesis or grant application, this book will prove an essential companion.

Andrew J. Friedland is professor in the environmental studies program at Dartmouth College, and Carol L. Folt is professor in the department of biological sciences at Dartmouth.

Jacket illustration: Copyright Jean-Francois
Podevin, Index Stock Imagery
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