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5. Budget and timeline
Align the budget with agency guidelines in the PA/RFA. Your proposal will be judged on how reasonable it is. Be
explicit about the time you and colleagues will spend on each part of the project. Include how your host institu-
tion will assist in running the project (e.g. providing resources not directly covered by funding scheme). Reviewers
will judge your competence, in part, by how well your funding request matches the scope of the project.
6. Biosketch
For your biosketch, sometimes there's a specific form to include (see PA/RFA instructions). Otherwise, you'll want
it to be approximately one page that includes your contact details, previous and current positions, and list of pub-
lications and contributions to science that are relevant to proposal. Remember to highlight your expertise (and
that of collaborators) and skills in the field.
Quick writing tips
• Don't propose too much
• Don't underestimate time or monetary limitations
• Strongly justify budget
• Don't give reviewers the impression that your project is overly ambitious or that it lacks focus
"Good writing will not save ideas, but bad writing can kill good ones."
— J. Kraicer, 1997
