Why Proposals Get Rejected

After analyzing hundreds of grant proposals that were rejected, the following list has been put together. It contains the major reasons readers have rejected proposals.

A. Needs Statement

1. The needs statement is not of sufficient importance, or is unlikely to produce any new useful information.
2. The proposed research is based upon insufficient evidence, is doubtful, or unsound.
3. The problem is more complex than the writer appears to realize.
4. The problem has only local significance or fails to fall within the general field of the granting agency.
5. The proposal is too ambitious, too many elements under simultaneous investigation.
6. The writing is nebulous and diffuse with a clear research aim.

1. The methods, procedures and evaluations are unsuited to the stated objective(s).
2. The description is lacking in clarity to permit adequate evaluation.
3. The overall design is not carefully thought out.
4. The approach lacks scientific imagination.
5. The material proposed to be used is unsuited to the study's objective.

1. Personnel does not have adequate experience or training for this research.
2. Personnel proposes to rely too heavily on insufficiently experienced associates.
3. Personnel needs more liaison with colleagues, s/he is not trying to take into account related fields, etc.