Tips for LITE Grant Proposals

We want you to be successful! While we are happy to review a draft of your proposal and provide you with feedback, we have compiled some quick tips, as well as examples of past funded proposals for you to reference as you begin to work on your application.

Keep it clear

Make sure your proposal can be understood by someone outside of your field.

The reviewers may not have existing knowledge of your area of expertise, so ensure that you are not using discipline specific jargon and that any complex theories or concepts have a basic explanation. Anything that is vague, ambiguous, or unexplained may limit the reviewers’ understanding of your project.

Remember that reviewers may not read the entire proposal in order. Each section should stand on its own.

Use your space efficiently

You only have 2000 words to use on a LITE Seed Grant proposal -- every word counts! Being concise does not mean losing out on details, however. Don’t be afraid to use bullet points, diagrams, and appendices.

Note: Appendices do not count towards your final word count but ensure that all information included is relevant. They are a great place to include items that can provide a deeper understanding of your project, like worksheets or survey questions, for example.

Take advantage of the timeline as well! Providing a detailed timeline, with each step of your project carefully outlined, will make your proposal stand out without bringing up your word count.

The Tables: Section E and the Budget

Both the tables in Section E and the budget are some of the most important sections of the proposal.

The table in Section E serves as a place to outline each step of the project, the methodology and assessment plan, and describe how you will answer your research questions. It is also where reviewers will often start reading, as it provides them with a concise overview of the project and its goals.

The budget, on the other hand, is where you break down every aspect of the project and how much it will cost. This section does not contribute to the overall word count, so use as much detail as possible! Each item should have a clear amount (in Canadian dollars), an explanation as to why it is necessary, and a breakdown of specific tasks and the time they will take (for example, how much time will be dedicated to each specific task assigned to a RA).

Don’t forget about the dissemination plan

One feature that reviewers will look at closely is how your project can further the entire University of Waterloo community.

While projects that focus exclusively on one faculty or discipline can still be funded, having a clear plan as to how your research will effectively reach across campus (and beyond!) will make your proposal more competitive.

Follow the template

Templates are provided to make things as easy as possible for you! Everything you need to include in your submission is there. Please do not change any formatting on the template -- the formatting should remain consistent throughout the entire document.

Finish your first draft early

The Research Team will review your draft for you before the deadline. It must be sent to us before September 18, at least two weeks before the deadline.

The earlier the better, that gives you time to make any necessary edits.

Sample Proposals

Please note: These proposals use past templates and may look different from current templates. Please ensure to download the most recent template when you begin to work on your proposal.