research proposal for animal science

Writing a research proposal

Most granting sponsors have guidelines telling what should be included in a research proposal, as well as formal requirements such as maximum number of pages with a specified font size, line spacing, number of copies to be submitted etc. Make sure to follow these guidelines in every detail! You will not be happy if your project is not even considered for further evaluation because some formalities were not fulfilled in your application.

Your research proposal will usually be reviewed and graded by a number of referees, where some of the people might be specialists in your particular research area, but several of them may not be very familiar with the area. This further stresses the need for your application to be accurate, brief and clear and emphasize essentials. You cannot expect the graders to realize that your project is important unless you manage to convince them that it is!

Essential components of a research proposal

Writing a research proposal is partly similar to writing a scientific paper; you need to define the problem, the objectives, what is known and what is not known about the problem, as well as give your research plan. Instead of presenting results, you describe the expected outcomes. You also give a time plan with short milestones and present a budget for the project. Your (and your collaborators') qualifications are verified in a "C urriculum Vitae ". Make sure you make a structured and logical proposal with suitable headings and an appealing layout.

When writing a research proposal, it is also wise to check the criteria that will be used for grading the applications. Such criteria might be relevance, scientific quality, qualifications of applicant(s), research collaboration, plan for dissemination of results, and budget in relation to project plan and funds available.

Justification, background, objectives and expected output. Define the problem and emphasize the importance and relevance of your proposed research project, and tell what is unique in your approach. Present a brief literature review (and a coherent Reference list) to show what is done already, and also identify information gaps. The objectives might be split into major and specific objectives, and also be put in a broad framework. Specify the expected outcomes and possible applications of your research.

Research plan (including equipment), time schedule and milestones. Describe the research methods and materials to be used, including methods to analyse the materials or data collected (e.g. laboratory or statistical analyses). State the facilities and equipment needed, which of these your organization can provide, and what requires funding within the research proposal. Describe the research methods so that the scientific quality of the proposal can be evaluated, but avoid describing the methods in too much detail. Relate the experiment/study to the objectives. Present a time schedule for the activities to be performed and milestones to be achieved, e.g. as a time-delivery flow chart of achievements and outputs. Note that an ethical approval might be needed for animal experiments.

Dissemination of results . Scientific results must be communicated to relevant audiences. Obviously, scientists aim for publication in scientific journals, and at international and national conferences. In applied areas of research it is as important that the results are also, but not only, communicated to the industry and various authorities outside the scientific community. Such publications must be kept in a popularized form. Many funding organizations require a good plan for publication and information of results to approve an application.

Budget. Many sponsors provide a specific budget format that you must follow, but there might be the possibility to add more details elsewhere. The budget should be credible and realistic, and clearly reflect your research plan. Some items might need specific justification. Indicate whether your organization, or maybe other donors, will cover part of the research costs. If that will be the case, your chances for a research grant might be improved; cost-sharing/matching funds are sometimes a precondition.

Collaborating institutions. Performing the research in collaboration with other institutions might strengthen your proposal, and also indicate a multi-disciplinary approach. Across-country collaboration is sometimes a requirement. Costs for the collaborating institutions may need to be considered in the budget. Evidence of collaboration, i.e. letters of support from collaborating institutions, should be included as an appendix.

Curriculum Vitae ( CV ) . It is common to add a CV as an appendix to the research proposal. Alternatively, if kept short, it may be incorporated at the end of the application. The main purpose of the CV is to provide the reviewers with such information that they can form an opinion whether the applicant(s) have the competence required to carry out the research described in a proposal. The qualifications and abilities of the principal investigator(s) are most important to describe, although CV s may also be required for the collaborating scientists. A CV must be kept brief and clear; include essentials of relevance for the application! Organize the information into categories, such as personal facts, academic education, relevant positions, main research topics, relevant publications, awards or honours received and other skills or experiences that might be of relevance for carrying out the research project. Scientists sometimes overdo the CV and harm themselves by writing a longer CV than the research proposal itself!

A CV is also required in many other situations, e.g. in applications for academic positions. The focus on research, teaching and administration or leadership merits may vary depending on the type of position and the tasks to be performed. Instructions and examples for writing a CV and related letters are easily found on the Internet.

Before delivering a research proposal, also let someone who is not in your area of discipline read it and give you her/his comments. And, remember to make a final check that all requirements set by the sponsor organization are fulfilled (including signatures required)!

Proposal Guidelines

M.s. and ph.d. research proposals:.

All ANSC graduate students must present to their advisory committees a thesis (M.S.) or dissertation (Ph.D.) research proposal for approval during the initial stages of their graduate studies. The timeline for submission is the end of the second semester for M.S. and the end of the third semester for Ph.D. students.

• Why so early in the program?   While these deadlines may seem early in comparison to some other programs, preparation of the proposal early in your graduate program will help focus your research and aid you in completing your program in a timely fashion.  Otherwise, you may jump from project to project without ever focusing on clear objectives or completing any publishable data.
• What is the goal (big picture) and why is it important?
• What is already known?
• Why do we need to know more?
• Will you have the resources (equipment, animals, and training) necessary to complete the research?
• Will your answers be valid? Will you be using the best approach to obtain the answers to your question? That is, what methods will you use and what are the appropriate statistical methods for the type of data you will obtain? How many samples/animal/replicates will you need to perform in order to obtain statistically significant results?
• How do I choose a problem to study?   Talk with your advisor!  Research is expensive so you will need to work within the parameters of your advisor’s research program unless you have your own funding. Most advisors enjoy talking science – but you should be prepared – read your advisor’s publications!  Read theses/ dissertations of previous graduate students from your lab (see online dissertation database available through library website: http://drum.lib.umd.edu/  and http://www.lib.umd.edu/dbfinder/id/UMD07254 ).

Typical terms used in research proposals include strategy, approach, hypotheses, aims, objectives, and mechanisms.  These words can be confusing to someone who hasn’t been involved in research before.

• Strategy - a careful plan or method for achieving a particular goal, usually over a long period of time. More specifically, it is how a research team will meet its overall goals and objectives.
• Approach - a way of dealing with something.  In research, a cellular and molecular biology approach would mean that cellular and molecular biology techniques will be used to answer the question, while a genomics approach would focus more on evaluating genetic sequence information available in large databases.
• Hypothesis - a tentative statement that proposes a possible explanation to some phenomenon or response. A testable hypothesis should include a prediction that you can assess using techniques available to your lab. An easily testable hypothesis is “If I ask the graduate director a question which can be easily answered by looking at the ANSC website, then she will frown at me.” 
• Aim vs. objective - Though very similar, an "aim" is a general direction or intent, while an "objective" is a more specific or concrete goal or accomplishment.
• Mechanism - a natural or established process by which something takes place or is brought about. For example, the binding of a ligand to a receptor that initiates a specific cascade of intracellular events.

Example of an animal sciences-related problem:

• Problem – Fertility has decreased in dairy cows selected for high milk production.
• Significance - This has a large economic impact on dairy production.
• Question – What genes are responsible for this decrease in fertility? 
• Approach – Genomics
• Strategy – Will use the large genetic databases that are available   
• Research hypothesis – Genes that are closely linked to milk production affect reproductive success.
• Aims – 1. Identify genes that are linked to known milk production QTLs. 2. Determine whether any of these genes might be involved in reproduction.

Writing Your Proposal:

You should establish ahead of time with your committee what specific format to follow. Typically, a proposal should follow the format of a grant proposal narrative (i.e., the portion of a NIFA, NIH, or NSF grant proposal that actually describes the proposed research plan), which commonly has a page limit of 10-18 pages (depending on the agency) single spaced (11 – 12 pt Arial/Times Roman font), but your committee may request double-spaced text for readability. Some committees may request that a complete literature review be included; this will likely result in a longer proposal. A research proposal should be realistic. Usually, the M.S. proposal will propose a more limited number of objectives relating to ongoing research utilizing methods already established in the lab. A Ph.D. proposal will be more comprehensive and may involve development of new approaches and/or methodology that add more risk/innovative than the typical M.S. proposal.

A Basic Research Proposal Outline:

• Research question - Clearly state the question you will address. This is the big picture question – not the specific objectives that you will describe later. For example – “What controls lineage differentiation in the early embryo?” or “What are the basic mechanisms that limit feed digestion and utilization by dairy cattle?” or “Which genes are associated with reproductive success?”  
• Significance to knowledge - Why is it important?
• Previous research - others and your lab’s 
• Rigor of the prior research. What are the main challenges to progress? What has led to success so far and what limitations remain? What knowledge is lacking?
• Your preliminary work on the topic (if any) relating to the questions
• Reprise of your research question(s) in this context (provide specific aims)
• Specific aims (goals) and rationale
• Methods used to test the hypotheses (specific techniques, resources to be used (e.g., animals, cells, materials, etc.), number of samples and replicates needed)
• Plan for interpreting results (statistical methods)
• Expected results and potential pitfalls – technical challenges (if doesn’t work as anticipated, what is your alternative plan?)
• Timeline for completion
• References (not included in the page limits)

If you would like to see an example of a Research Proposal, the ANSC Graduate Program can provide one.  You can also ask your mentor if you can look at a previous Research Proposal from your lab; however, you want to be careful not to copy from any old examples as that will be construed as plagiarism.

If you will be using animals in your study then sufficient information must be provided within the project description to justify the rationale for involving animals, choice of species and number of animals to be used. Be aware that if you will be using animals you will need to have approval from the University’s IACUC. This approval is needed whether the animals involved are on campus or off-site at another institution (e.g., Smithsonian). Talk with your advisor about this. You should have received the appropriate training (Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), animal use, biological safety, etc.) prior to starting your research and your lab should have already obtained IACUC and ESSR approvals for the research.

Avoid plagiarism – be careful to correctly cite information and to write using your own words – do not cut and paste from others’ work.

PLAGIARISM: intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic course or exercise. III-1.00(A) UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

These resources were used in preparing this description on how to prepare a research proposal and may provide additional information on preparing a research proposal:

• http://www2.hawaii.edu/~matt/proposal.html
• http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/1998/nsf9891/nsf9891.htm
• http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~sfinger/advice/advice.html
• NIHproposalGuidelines (squarespace.com)
• Graduate School Writing Center | The University of Maryland Graduate School (umd.edu)

Submitting Your Research Proposal:

Graduate (M.S. and Ph.D.) students are required to submit their research proposal to their advisory committee for approval.  Typically, the prepared proposal is distributed to the advisory committee in advance, followed by a meeting in which the student gives a brief presentation. The advisory committee may make valuable recommendations based on their knowledge and experience that may alter the proposal.  More often than not these recommendations help the student avoid problems that otherwise might delay execution and completion of the project. 

• Arrange a time and location for your meeting (reserve a room).
• Distribute your proposal to your committee in advance, at least 1 week in advance
• Prepare a short (20-30 minute) presentation of the proposed research. Include questions & hypotheses; methods & experimental design; preliminary data; broader context & significance of the project.
• Expect to be interrupted with questions during your presentation.

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Article Contents

Introduction, experimental design: initial steps, design of the animal experiment, experimental design: final considerations.

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Practical Aspects of Experimental Design in Animal Research

Paula D. Johnson, D.V.M., M.S., is Executive Director, Southwest Association for Education in Biomedical Research, University of Arizona, Tucson; David G. Besselsen, D.V.M., Ph.D., is Veterinary Specialist and Chief, Pathology Services, University Animal Care, University of Arizona, Tucson.

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Paula D. Johnson, David G. Besselsen, Practical Aspects of Experimental Design in Animal Research, ILAR Journal , Volume 43, Issue 4, 2002, Pages 202–206, https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar.43.4.202

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A brief overview is presented of the key steps involved in designing a research animal experiment, with reference to resources that specifically address each topic of discussion in more detail. After an idea for a research project is conceived, a thorough review of the literature and consultation with experts in that field are pursued to refine the problem statement and to assimilate background information that is necessary for the experimental design phase. A null and an alternate hypothesis that address the problem statement are then formulated, and only then is the specific design of the experiment developed. Likely the most critical step in designing animal experiments is the identification of the most appropriate animal model to address the experimental question being asked. Other practical considerations include defining the necessary control groups, randomly assigning animals to control/treatment groups, determining the number of animals needed per group, evaluating the logistics of the actual performance of the animal experiments, and identifying the most appropriate statistical analyses and potential collaborators experienced in the area of study. All of these factors are critical to designing an experiment that will generate scientifically valid and reproducible data, which should be considered the ultimate goal of any scientific investigation.

Experimental design is obviously a critical component of the success of any research project. If all aspects of experimental design are not thoroughly addressed, scientists may reach false conclusions and pursue avenues of research that waste considerable time and resources. It is therefore critical to design scientifically sound experiments and to follow standard laboratory practices while performing these experiments to generate valid reproducible data ( Bennett et al. 1990 ; Diamond 2001 ; Holmberg 1996 ; Larsson 2001 ; Sproull 1995 ; Weber and Skillings 2000 ; Webster 1985 ; Whitcom 2000 ). Data generated by this approach should be of sufficient quality for publication in well-respected peer-reviewed journals, the major form of widespread communication and archiving experimental data in research. This article provides a brief overview of the steps involved in the design of animal experiments and some practical information that should also be considered during this process.

Literature Search

A thorough search of the scientific literature must be performed to determine what is known about the focus of the study. The search should include current and past journal articles and textbooks, as well as information available via the internet. Journal searches can be performed in any number of appropriate journal databases or indexes (e.g., MEDLINE, TOXLINE, PUBMED, NCBI, AGRICOLA). The goals of the literature search are to learn of pertinent studies and methods, identify appropriate animal models, and eliminate unnecessary duplication of research. The “3Rs” of animal research ( Russell and Burch 1959 ) should also be considered at this stage: reduction of animal numbers, refinement of methods, and replacement of animals by viable nonanimal alternatives when these exist. The literature search is also an important component of an institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC 1 ) protocol submission to provide evidence that the project is not duplicative, that alternatives to the use of animals are not available, and that potentially painful procedures are justified.

Scientific Method

The core aspect of experimental design is the scientific method ( Barrow 1991 ; Kuhn 1962 ; Lawson 2002 ; Wilson 1952 ). The scientific method consists of four basic steps: (1) observation and description of a scientific phenomena, (2) formulation of the problem statement and hypothesis, (3) use of the hypothesis to predict the results of new observations, and (4) the performance of methods or procedures to test the hypothesis.

Problem Statement, Objectives, and Hypotheses

It is critical to define the problem statement, objectives, and hypotheses clearly. The problem statement should include the issue that will be addressed experimentally and its significance (e.g., potential application to human or animal health, improved understanding of biological processes). Objectives should be stated in a general description of the overall goals for the proposed experiments and the specific questions being addressed. Hypotheses should include two distinct and clearly defined outcomes for each proposed experiment (e.g., a null and an alternate hypothesis). These outcomes may be thought of as the two experimental answers to the specific question being investigated: The null hypothesis is defined as no difference between experimental groups, and the alternate hypothesis is defined as a real difference between experimental groups. Development of a clearly stated problem statement and the hypotheses are necessary to proceed to the next stage of the experimental design process, although they obviously can (and likely will) be modified as the process continues. Examples of a problem statement and various types of hypotheses follow:

Problem statement: Which diet causes more weight gain in rats: diet A or diet B?

Null hypothesis: Groups are expected to show the same results (e.g., rats on diet A will gain the same amount of weight as rats on diet B).

Alternate hypothesis: Experimental groups are expected to show different results (e.g., rats will gain more weight on diet A than diet B, or vice versa).

Nontestable hypothesis: A result cannot be easily defined or interpreted (e.g., rats on diet A will look better than rats on diet B). What does “better” mean? Its definition must be clearly stated to create a testable hypothesis.

Identification of Animal Model

In choosing the most appropriate animal models for proposed experiments, we offer the following recommendations: (1) Use the lowest animal on the phylogenic scale (in accordance with replacement, one of the 3Rs). (2) Use animals that have the species- and/or strain-specific characteristics desirable or required for the specific study proposed. (3) Consider the costs associated with acquiring and maintaining the animal model during the period of experimentation. (4) Perform a thorough literature search, network with colleagues within the selected field of study, and/or contact commercial vendors or government-supported repositories of animal models to identify a potential source of the animal model. (5) Consult with laboratory animal veterinarians before final determination of the animal model.

Identification of Potential Collaborators

The procedures required to carry out the experiments will determine what, if any, additional expertise is needed. It is important to identify and consult with potential collaborators at the beginning of project development to determine who will be working on the project and in what capacity (e.g., as coinvestigators, consultants, or technical support staff). Collaborator input into the logistics and design of the experiments and proper sample acquisition are critical to ensure the validity of the data generated. Core facilities at larger research institutions provide many services that involve highly technical procedures or require expensive equipment. Identification of existing core facilities can often lead to the development of a list of potential intramural collaborators.

Research Plan

A description of the experimental manipulations required to address the problem statement, objectives, and hypotheses should be carefully devised and documented ( Keppel 1991 ). This description should specify the experimental variables that are to be manipulated, suitable test parameters that accurately assess the effects of experimental variable manipulation, and the most appropriate methods for sample acquisition and generation of the test data. The overall practicality of the project as well as the time frame for data collection and evaluation are determined at this stage in the development process.

Practical issues that may need to be addressed include the lifespan of the animal model (for chronic studies), the anticipated progression of disease in that model (to determine appropriate time points for evaluation), the amount of personnel time available for the project, and the costs associated with performing the experiments ( De Boer et al. 1975 ). If the animals are to receive chemical or biological treatments, an appropriate method for administration must be identified (e.g., per os via the diet or in drinking water [soluble substances only], by osmotic pump, or by injection). Known or potential hazards must also be identified, and appropriate precautions to minimize risk from these hazards must be incorporated into the plan. All experimental procedures should be detailed through standard operating procedures, a requirement of good laboratory practice standards ( EPA 1989 ; FDA 1987 ).

Finally, the methods to be used for data analysis should be determined. If statistical analysis is required to document a difference between experimental groups, the appropriate statistical tests should be identified during the design stage. A conclusion will be drawn subsequently from the analysis of the data with the initial question answered and/or the hypotheses accepted or rejected. This process will ultimately lead to new questions and hypotheses being formulated, or ideas as to how to improve the experimental design.

Experimental Unit

The entity under study is the experimental unit, which could be an individual animal or a group. For example, an individual rat is considered the experimental unit when a drug therapy or surgical procedure is being tested, but an entire litter of rats is the experimental unit when an environmental teratogen is being tested. For purposes of estimating error of variance, or standard error for statistical analysis, it is necessary to consider the experimental unit ( Weber and Skillings 2000 ). Many excellent sources provide discussions of the types of experimental units and their appropriateness ( Dean and Voss 1999 ; Festing and Altman 2002 ; Keppel 1991 ; Wu and Hamada 2000 ).

N Factor: Experimental Group Size

The assignment of an appropriate number of animals to each group is critical. Although formulas to determine the proper number of animals can be found in standard statistical texts, we recommend consulting a statistician to ensure appropriate experimental design for the generation of statistically significant results ( Zolman 1993 ). Indeed, the number of animals assigned to each experimental group is often determined by the particular statistical test on the basis of the anticipated magnitude of difference between the expected outcomes for each group. The number of animals that can be grouped in standard cages is a practical consideration for determining experimental group size. For example, standard 71 sq in (460 sq cm) polycarbonate shoebox cages can house up to four adult mice, so group sizes that are divisible by four will maximize group size and minimize per diem costs.

A plethora of variables (e.g., genetic, environmental, infectious agents) can potentially affect the outcome of studies performed with animals. It is therefore critical to use control animals to minimize the impact of these extraneous variables or to recognize the possible presence of unwanted variables. In general, each individual experiment should use control groups of animals that are contrasted directly to the experimental groups of animals. Multiple types of controls include positive, negative, sham, vehicle, and comparative.

Positive Controls

In positive control groups, changes are expected. The positive control acts as a standard against which to measure difference in severity among experimental groups. An example of a positive control is a toxin administered to an animal, which results in reproducible physiological alterations or lesions. New treatments can then be used in experimental groups to determine whether these alterations may be prevented or cured. Positive controls are also used to demonstrate that a response can be detected, thereby providing some quality control on the experimental methods.

Negative Controls

Negative controls are expected to produce no change from the normal state. In the example above, the negative control would consist of animals not treated with the toxin. The purpose of the negative control is to ensure that an unknown variable is not adversely affecting the animals in the experiment, which might result in a false-positive conclusion.

Sham Controls

A sham control is used to mimic a procedure or treatment without the actual use of the procedure or test substance. A placebo is an example of a sham control used in pharmaceutical studies ( Spector 2002 ). Another example is the surgical implantation of “X” into the abdominal cavity. The treated animals would have X implanted, whereas the sham control animals would have the same surgical procedure with the abdominal cavity opened, as with the treated animals, but without having the X implanted.

Vehicle Controls

A vehicle control is used in studies in which a substance (e.g., saline or mineral oil) is used as a vehicle for a solution of the experimental compound. In a vehicle control, the supposedly innocuous substance is used alone, administered in the same manner in which it will be used with the experimental compound. When compared with the untreated control, the vehicle control will determine whether the vehicle alone causes any effects.

Comparative Controls

A comparative control is often a positive control with a known treatment that is used for a direct comparison to a different treatment. For example, when evaluating a new chemopreventive drug regime in an animal model of cancer, one would want to compare this regime to the chemopreventive drug regime currently considered “accepted practice” to determine whether the new regime improves cancer prevention in that model.

Randomization

Randomization of the animals assigned to different experimental groups must be achieved to ensure that underlying variables do not result in skewed data for each experimental group. To achieve randomization, it is necessary to begin by defining the population. A homogeneous population consists of animals that are considered to share some characteristics (e.g., age, sex, weight, breed, strain). A heterogeneous population consists of animals that may not be the same but may have some common feature. Generally, the better the definition of the group, the less variable the experimental data, although the results may be less pertinent to large broad populations. Methods commonly used to achieve randomization include the following ( Zolman 1993 ):

Identifying each animal with a unique identification number, then drawing numbers “out of a hat” and randomly assigning them in a logical fashion to different groups. For example, the first drawn number is assigned to group 1, the second to group 2, the third to group 1, the fourth to group 2, and so forth. Dice or cards may also be used to randomly assign animals to experimental groups.

Using random number tables or computer-generated numbers/sampling to achieve randomization.

Experimental Protocol Approval

Animal experimentation requires IACUC approval of an animal care and use protocol if the species used are covered under the Animal Welfare Act (regardless of funding source), the research is supported by the National Institutes of Health and involves the use of vertebrate species, or the animal care program is accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International ( Silverman et al. 2000 ). In practice, virtually all animal experiments require IACUC approval, which entails full and accurate completion of appropriate protocol forms for submission to the IACUC, followed by clarification or necessary modification of any procedures the IACUC requires. Approval must be obtained before the animal purchase or experimentation and is required before submission of a grant proposal by some funding agencies. If the research involves hazardous materials, then protocol approval from other intramural oversight committees or departments may also be required (e.g., a Biosafety Committee if infectious agents or recombinant DNA are to be used, or a Radiation Safety Committee if radioisotopes or irradiation are to be used).

Animal welfare regulations and Public Health Service policy mandate that individuals caring for or using research animals must be appropriately trained. Specifically, all personnel involved in a research project must be appropriately qualified and/or trained in the methods they will be performing for that project. The institution where the research is being performed is responsible for ensuring this training, although the actual training may occur elsewhere.

Pilot Studies

Pilot studies use a small number of animals to generate preliminary data and/or allow the procedures and techniques to be solidified and “perfected” before large-scale experimentation. These studies are commonly used with new procedures or when new compounds are tested. Preliminary data are essential to show evidence supporting the rationale of a proposal to a funding agency, thereby increasing the probability of funding for the proposal. All pilot projects must have IACUC approval, as for any animal experiment. As soon as the pilot study is completed, the IACUC representative will either give the indication to proceed to a full study or will indicate that the experimental manipulations and/or hypotheses need to be modified and evaluated by additional pilot studies.

Data Entry and Analysis

The researcher has the ultimate responsibility for collecting, entering, and analyzing the data correctly. When dealing with large volumes of data, it is especially easy for data entry errors to occur (e.g., group identifications switched, animal identifications transposed). Quality assurance procedures to identify data entry errors should be developed and incorporated into the experimental design before data analysis. This process can be accomplished by directly comparing raw (original) data for individual animals with the data entered into the computer or with compiled data for the group as a whole (to identify potential “outliers,” or data that deviates significantly from the rest of the members of a group). The analysis of the data varies depending on the type of project and the statistics required to evaluate it. Because this topic is beyond the scope of this article, we refer the reader to the many outstanding books and articles on statistical analysis ( Cobb 1998 ; Cox and Reid 2000 ; Dean and Voss 1999 ; Festing and Altman 2002 ; Lemons et al. 1997 ; Pickvance 2001 ; Wasserman and Kutner 1985 ; Wilson and Natale 2001 ; Wu and Hamada 2000 ).

Detection of flaws, in the developing or final experimental design is often achieved by several levels of review that are applicable to animal experimentation. For example, grant funding agencies and the IACUC provide input into the content and design of animal experiments during their review processes and may also serve as advisory consultants before submission of the grant proposal or animal care and use protocol. Scientific peers and the scientific literature also provide invaluable information applicable to experimental design, and these resources should be consulted throughout the experimental design process. Finally, scientific peer-reviewed journals provide a final critical evaluation of the soundness of the experimental design. The overall quality of the experimental data is evaluated and a determination is made as to whether it is worthy of publication. Obviously, discovering major experimental design deficiencies during manuscript peer review is not desirable. Therefore, pursuit of scientific peer review throughout the experimental design process should be exercised routinely to ensure the generation of valid, reproducible, and publishable data.

The steps listed below comprise a practical sequence for designing and conducting scientific studies. We recommend that investigators

Conduct a complete literature review and consult experts who have experience with the techniques proposed in an effort to become thoroughly familiar with the topic before beginning the experimental design process.

Ask a specific question and/or formulate an appropriate hypothesis. Then design the experiments to specifically address that problem/question.

Consult a biostatistician during the design phase of the project, not after performing the experiments.

Choose proper controls to ensure that only the variable of interest is evaluated. More than one control is frequently required.

Start with a small pilot project to generate preliminary data and work out procedures and techniques. Then proceed to larger scale experiments to generate statistical significance.

Modify original question and procedures, ask new questions, and begin again.

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Whitcom PJ . 2000 . DOE Simplified: Practical Tools for Effective Experimentation . Portland : Productivity .

Wilson EB . 1952 . An Introduction to Scientific Research . New York : McGraw-Hill .

Wilson JB Natale SM . 2001 . “Quantitative” and “qualitative” research: An analysis . Int J Value-Based Mgt 14 : 1 – 10 .

Wu CF Hamada M . 2000 . Experiments: Planning, Analysis, and Parameter Design Optimization . New York : Wiley .

Zolman JF . 1993 . Biostatistics: Experimental Design and Statistical Inference . New York : Oxford University Press .

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Research Proposals

All new research proposals must be submitted using  CAYUSE SP .

In order to comply with reporting requirements,  all proposals with a PI, Co-I or Co-PI from the SVM will require the completion of the  SVM Supplemental Questions form .  This form must be completed and uploaded with the rest of the attachments in your proposal document.

Cayuse SP  is designed to manage research operations and provide a framework to track and report on sponsored program activities. It manages the life cycle of sponsored projects with Cayuse SP, a flexible, user-friendly Web application designed to reduce complexity, improve collaboration, and provide visibility from pre-award through post-award.

Cayuse 424  continues to be available for all Grants.gov submissions.

Please view the  training page  for guides and the training session schedule.  Recorded trainings  from the UC Davis Office of Research are available as well. 

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For help, please email  [email protected]

EGReT was retired on January 15, 2021. The SVM rolled out Cayuse SP for processing new proposal development and submission beginning January 1, 2018.

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• Published: 19 May 2011

Writing clear animal activity proposals

• David M. Pinson 1  

Lab Animal volume  40 ,  pages 187–192 ( 2011 ) Cite this article

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Although IACUC-related topics are frequently discussed in the literature, there is little published information about how to write animal activity proposals. In this article, the author discusses key considerations in the writing and review of animal activity proposals. The author then describes a framework for developing and writing clear animal activity proposals that highlight animal welfare concerns. Though these recommendations are aimed at individuals writing and reviewing research proposals, the framework can be modified for other types of animal activity proposals.

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Silverman, J. et al. Miscommunication involving 'standard care'. Lab Anim. (NY) 40 , 65–67 (2011).

Silverman, J., Suckow, M. & Murthy, S. The IACUC Handbook (CRC, Boca Raton, FL, 2000).

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United States Department of Agriculture. Animal Care Resource Guide: Research Facility Inspection Guide (USDA, Beltsville, MD, 2001). &lt; http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/rig.shtml &gt;.

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Pinson, D. Writing clear animal activity proposals. Lab Anim 40 , 187–192 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0611-187

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Research Proposal Examples for Every Science Field

Looking for research funding can be a daunting task, especially when you are starting out. A great way to improve grant-writing skills is to get inspired by winning research proposal examples.

To assist you in writing a competitive proposal, I have curated a collection of real-life research proposal examples from various scientific disciplines. These examples will allow you to gain inspiration about the way research proposals are structured and written.

Structure of a Research Proposal

A research proposal serves as a road-map for a project, outlining the objectives, methodology, resources, and expected outcomes. The main goal of writing a research proposal is to convince funding agency of the value and feasibility of a research project. But a proposal also helps scientists themselves to clarify their planned approach.

While the exact structure may vary depending on the science field and institutional guidelines, a research proposal typically includes the following sections: Problem, Objectives, Methodology, Resources, Participants, Results&Impact, Dissemination, Timeline, and Budget. I will use this structure for the example research proposals in this article.

Here is a brief description of what each of the nine proposal sections should hold.

A concise and informative title that captures the essence of the research proposal. Sometimes an abstract is required that briefly summarizes the proposed project.

Clearly define the research problem or gap in knowledge that the study aims to address. Present relevant background information and cite existing literature to support the need for further investigation.

State the specific objectives and research questions that the study seeks to answer. These objectives should be clear, measurable, and aligned with the problem statement.

Methodology

Describe the research design, methodology, and techniques that will be employed to collect and analyze data. Justify your chosen approach and discuss its strengths and limitations.

Outline the resources required for the successful execution of the research project, such as equipment, facilities, software, and access to specific datasets or archives.

Participants

Describe the research team’s qualification for implementing the research methodology and their complementary value

Results and Impact

Describe the expected results, outcomes, and potential impact of the research. Discuss how the findings will contribute to the field and address the research gap identified earlier.

Dissemination

Explain how the research results will be disseminated to the academic community and wider audiences. This may include publications, conference presentations, workshops, data sharing or collaborations with industry partners.

Develop a realistic timeline that outlines the major milestones and activities of the research project. Consider potential challenges or delays and incorporate contingency plans.

Provide a detailed budget estimate, including anticipated expenses for research materials, equipment, participant compensation, travel, and other relevant costs. Justify the budget based on the project’s scope and requirements.

Consider that the above-mentioned proposal headings can be called differently depending on the funder’s requirements. However, you can be sure in one proposal’s section or another each of the mentioned sections will be included. Whenever provided, always use the proposal structure as required by the funding agency.

Research Proposal template download

This research proposal template includes the nine headings that we just discussed. For each heading, a key sentence skeleton is provided to help you to kick-start the proposal writing process.

Real-Life Research Proposal Examples

Proposals can vary from field to field so I will provide you with research proposal examples proposals in four main branches of science: social sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering and technology. For each science field, you will be able to download real-life winning research proposal examples.

To illustrate the principle of writing a scientific proposal while adhering to the nine sections I outlined earlier, for each discipline I will also provide you with a sample hypothetical research proposal. These examples are formulated using the key sentence structure that is included in the download template .

In case the research proposal examples I provide do not hold exactly what you are looking for, use the Open Grants database. It holds approved research proposals from various funding agencies in many countries. When looking for research proposals examples in the database, use the filer to search for specific keywords and organize the results to view proposals that have been funded.

Research Proposals Examples in Social Sciences

Here are real-life research proposal examples of funded projects in social sciences.

Here is an outline of a hypothetical Social Sciences research proposal that is structured using the nine proposal sections we discussed earlier. This proposal example is produced using the key sentence skeleton that you will access in the proposal template .

The Influence of Social Media on Political Participation among Young Adults

Social media platforms have become prominent spaces for political discussions and information sharing. However, the impact of social media on political participation among young adults remains a topic of debate.

With the project, we aim to establish the relationship between social media usage and political engagement among young adults. To achieve this aim, we have three specific objectives:

• Examine the association between social media usage patterns and various forms of political participation, such as voting, attending political rallies, and engaging in political discussions.
• Investigate the role of social media in shaping political attitudes, opinions, and behaviors among young adults.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations for utilizing social media platforms to enhance youth political participation.

During the project, a mixed methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews will be used to determine the impact of social media use on youth political engagement. In particular, surveys will collect data on social media usage, political participation, and attitudes. Interviews will provide in-depth insights into participants’ experiences and perceptions.

The project will use survey software, transcription tools, and statistical analysis software to statistically evaluate the gathered results. The project will also use project funding for participant compensation.

Principal investigator, Jane Goodrich will lead a multidisciplinary research team comprising social scientists, political scientists, and communication experts with expertise in political science and social media research.

The project will contribute to a better understanding of the influence of social media on political participation among young adults, including:

• inform about the association between social media usage and political participation among youth.
• determine the relationship between social media content and political preferences among youth.
• provide guidelines for enhancing youth engagement in democratic processes through social media use.

We will disseminate the research results within policymakers and NGOs through academic publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at relevant conferences, and policy briefs.

The project will start will be completed within two years and for the first two objectives a periodic report will be submitted in months 12 and 18.

The total eligible project costs are 58,800 USD, where 15% covers participant recruitment and compensation, 5% covers survey software licenses, 55% are dedicated for salaries, and 25% are intended for dissemination activities.

Research Proposal Examples in Life Sciences

Here are real-life research project examples in life sciences.

Here is a hypothetical research proposal example in Life Sciences. Just like the previous example, it consists of the nine discussed proposal sections and it is structured using the key sentence skeleton that you will access in the proposal template .

Investigating the Role of Gut Microbiota in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (GUT-MET)

Obesity and metabolic syndrome pose significant health challenges worldwide, leading to numerous chronic diseases and increasing healthcare costs. Despite extensive research, the precise mechanisms underlying these conditions remain incompletely understood. A critical knowledge gap exists regarding the role of gut microbiota in the development and progression of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

With the GUT-MET project, we aim to unravel the complex interactions between gut microbiota and obesity/metabolic syndrome. To achieve this aim, we have the following specific objectives:

• Investigate the composition and diversity of gut microbiota in individuals with obesity and metabolic syndrome.
• Determine the functional role of specific gut microbial species and their metabolites in the pathogenesis of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

During the project, we will employ the following key methodologies:

• Perform comprehensive metagenomic and metabolomic analyses to characterize the gut microbiota and associated metabolic pathways.
• Conduct animal studies to investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota alterations and the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

The project will benefit from state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, including advanced sequencing and analytical equipment, as well as access to a well-established cohort of participants with obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Dr. Emma Johnson, a renowned expert in gut microbiota research and Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of PeerRecognized, will lead the project. Dr. Johnson has published extensively in high-impact journals and has received multiple research grants focused on the gut microbiota and metabolic health.

The project will deliver crucial insights into the role of gut microbiota in obesity and metabolic syndrome. Specifically, it will:

• Identify microbial signatures associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome for potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
• Uncover key microbial metabolites and pathways implicated in disease development, enabling the development of targeted interventions.

We will actively disseminate the project results within the scientific community, healthcare professionals, and relevant stakeholders through publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at international conferences, and engagement with patient advocacy groups.

The project will be executed over a period of 36 months. Key milestones include data collection and analysis, animal studies, manuscript preparation, and knowledge transfer activities.

The total eligible project costs are $1,500,000, with the budget allocated for 55% personnel, 25% laboratory supplies, 5% data analysis, and 15% knowledge dissemination activities as specified in the research call guidelines.

Research Proposals Examples in Natural Sciences

Here are real-life research proposal examples of funded projects in natural sciences.

Here is a Natural Sciences research proposal example that is structured using the same nine sections. I created this proposal example using the key sentence skeleton that you will access in the proposal template .

Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity Dynamics in Fragile Ecosystems (CLIM-BIODIV)

Climate change poses a significant threat to global biodiversity, particularly in fragile ecosystems such as tropical rainforests and coral reefs. Understanding the specific impacts of climate change on biodiversity dynamics within these ecosystems is crucial for effective conservation and management strategies. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the precise mechanisms through which climate change influences species composition, population dynamics, and ecosystem functioning in these vulnerable habitats.

With the CLIM-BIODIV project, we aim to assess the impact of climate change on biodiversity dynamics in fragile ecosystems. To achieve this aim, we have the following specific objectives:

• Investigate how changes in temperature and precipitation patterns influence species distributions and community composition in tropical rainforests.
• Assess the effects of ocean warming and acidification on coral reef ecosystems, including changes in coral bleaching events, species diversity, and ecosystem resilience.
• Conduct field surveys and employ remote sensing techniques to assess changes in species distributions and community composition in tropical rainforests.
• Utilize experimental approaches and long-term monitoring data to evaluate the response of coral reefs to varying temperature and pH conditions.

The project will benefit from access to field sites in ecologically sensitive regions, advanced remote sensing technology, and collaboration with local conservation organizations to facilitate data collection and knowledge sharing.

Dr. Alexander Chen, an established researcher in climate change and biodiversity conservation, will lead the project. Dr. Chen is a Professor of Ecology at the University of Peer Recognized, with a track record of three Nature publications and successful grant applications exceeding 25 million dollars.

The project will provide valuable insights into the impacts of climate change on biodiversity dynamics in fragile ecosystems. It will:

• Enhance our understanding of how tropical rainforest communities respond to climate change, informing targeted conservation strategies.
• Contribute to the identification of vulnerable coral reef ecosystems and guide management practices for their protection and resilience.

We will disseminate the project results to the scientific community, conservation practitioners, and policymakers through publications in reputable journals, participation in international conferences, and engagement with local communities and relevant stakeholders.

The project will commence on March 1, 2024, and will be implemented over a period of 48 months. Key milestones include data collection and analysis, modeling exercises, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge transfer activities. These are summarized in the Gantt chart.

The total eligible project costs are $2,000,000, with budget allocation for research personnel, fieldwork expenses, laboratory analyses, modeling software, data management, and dissemination activities.

Research Proposal Examples in Engineering and Technology

Here are real-life research proposal examples of funded research projects in the field of science and technology.

Here is a hypothetical Engineering and Technology research proposal example that is structured using the same nine proposal sections we discussed earlier. I used the key sentence skeleton available in the proposal template to produce this example.

Developing Sustainable Materials for Energy-Efficient Buildings (SUST-BUILD)

The construction industry is a major contributor to global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing this issue requires the development of sustainable materials that promote energy efficiency in buildings. However, there is a need for innovative engineering solutions to overcome existing challenges related to the performance, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of such materials.

With the SUST-BUILD project, we aim to develop sustainable materials for energy-efficient buildings. Our specific objectives are as follows:

• Design and optimize novel insulating materials with enhanced thermal properties and reduced environmental impact.
• Develop advanced coatings and surface treatments to improve the energy efficiency and durability of building envelopes.
• Conduct extensive material characterization and simulation studies to guide the design and optimization of insulating materials.
• Utilize advanced coating techniques and perform full-scale testing to evaluate the performance and durability of building envelope treatments.

The project will benefit from access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, including material testing equipment, thermal analysis tools, and coating application setups. Collaboration with industry partners will facilitate the translation of research findings into practical applications.

Dr. Maria Rodriguez, an experienced researcher in sustainable materials and building technologies, will lead the project. Dr. Rodriguez holds a position as Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering at Peer Recognized University and has a strong publication record and expertise in the field.

The project will deliver tangible outcomes for energy-efficient buildings. It will:

• Develop sustainable insulating materials with superior thermal performance, contributing to reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings.
• Introduce advanced coatings and surface treatments developed from sustainable materials that enhance the durability and energy efficiency of building envelopes, thereby improving long-term building performance.

We will disseminate project results to relevant stakeholders, including industry professionals, architects, and policymakers. This will be accomplished through publications in scientific journals, presentations at conferences and seminars, and engagement with industry associations.

The project will commence on September 1, 2024, and will be implemented over a period of 36 months. Key milestones include material development and optimization, performance testing, prototype fabrication, and knowledge transfer activities. The milestones are summarized in the Gantt chart.

The total eligible project costs are $1,800,000. The budget will cover personnel salaries (60%), materials and equipment (10%), laboratory testing (5%), prototyping (15%), data analysis (5%), and dissemination activities (5%) as specified in the research call guidelines.

Final Tips for Writing an Winning Research Proposal

Come up with a good research idea.

Ideas are the currency of research world. I have prepared a 3 step approach that will help you to come up with a research idea that is worth turning into a proposal. You can download the Research Idea Generation Toolkit in this article.

Start with a strong research outline

Before even writing one sentence of the research proposal, I suggest you use the Research Project Canvas . It will help you to first come up with different research ideas and then choose the best one for writing a full research proposal.

Tailor to the requirements of the project funder

Treat the submission guide like a Monk treats the Bible and follow its strict requirements to the last detail. The funder might set requirements for the topic, your experience, employment conditions, host institution, the research team, funding amount, and so forth. 

What you would like to do in the research is irrelevant unless it falls within the boundaries defined by the funder.

Make the reviewer’s job of finding flaws in your proposal difficult by ensuring that you have addressed each requirement clearly. If applicable, you can even use a table with requirements versus your approach. This will make your proposed approach absolutely evident for the reviewers.

Before submitting, assess your proposal using the criteria reviewers have to follow.

Conduct thorough background research

Before writing your research proposal, conduct comprehensive background research to familiarize yourself with existing literature, theories, and methodologies related to your topic. This will help you identify research gaps and formulate research questions that address these gaps. You will also establish competence in the eyes of reviewers by citing relevant literature.

Be concise and clear

Define research questions that are specific, measurable, and aligned with the problem statement.

If you think the reviewers might be from a field outside your own, avoid unnecessary jargon or complex language to help them to understand the proposal better.

Be specific in describing the research methodology. For example, include a brief description of the experimental methods you will rely upon, add a summary of the materials that you are going to use, attach samples of questionnaires that you will use, and include any other proof that demonstrates the thoroughness you have put into developing the research plan. Adding a flowchart is a great way to present the methodology.

Create a realistic timeline and budget

Develop a realistic project timeline that includes key milestones and activities, allowing for potential challenges or delays. Similarly, create a detailed budget estimate that covers all anticipated expenses, ensuring that it aligns with the scope and requirements of your research project. Be transparent and justify your budget allocations.

Demonstrate the significance and potential impact of the research

Clearly articulate the significance of your research and its potential impact on the field. Discuss how your findings can contribute to theory development, practical applications, policy-making, or other relevant areas.

Pay attention to formatting and style guidelines

Follow the formatting and style guidelines provided by your institution or funding agency. Pay attention to details such as font size, margins, referencing style, and section headings. Adhering to these guidelines demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail.

Take a break before editing

After preparing the first draft, set it aside for at least a week. Then thoroughly check it for logic and revise, revise, revise. Use the proposal submission guide to review your proposal against the requirements. Remember to use grammar checking tools to check for errors.

Finally, read the proposal out loud. This will help to ensure good readability.

Seek feedback

Share your proposal with mentors, colleagues, or members of your research community to receive constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement. Take these seriously since they provide a third party view of what is written (instead of what you think you have written).

Reviewing good examples is one of the best ways to learn a new skill. I hope that the research proposal examples in this article will be useful for you to get going with writing your own research proposal.

Have fun with the writing process and I hope your project gets approved!

Learning from research proposal examples alone is not enough

The research proposal examples I provided will help you to improve your grant writing skills. But learning from example proposals alone will take you a rather long time to master writing winning proposals.

To write a winning research proposal, you have to know how to add that elusive X-Factor that convinces the reviewers to move your proposal from the category “good” to the category “support”. This includes creating self-explanatory figures, creating a budget, collaborating with co-authors, and presenting a convincing story.

To write a research proposal that maximizes your chances of receiving research funding, read my book “ Write a Winning Research Proposal “.

This isn’t just a book. It’s a complete research proposal writing toolkit that includes a  project ideation canvas, budget spreadsheet, project rating scorecard, virtual collaboration whiteboard, proposal pitch formula, graphics creation cheat sheet, review checklist and other valuable resources that will help you succeed.

Hey! My name is Martins Zaumanis and I am a materials scientist in Switzerland ( Google Scholar ). As the first person in my family with a PhD, I have first-hand experience of the challenges starting scientists face in academia. With this blog, I want to help young researchers succeed in academia. I call the blog “Peer Recognized”, because peer recognition is what lifts academic careers and pushes science forward.

Besides this blog, I have written the Peer Recognized book series and created the Peer Recognized Academy offering interactive online courses.

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Hi Martins, I’ve recently discovered your content and it is great. I will be implementing much of it into my workflow, as well as using it to teach some graduate courses! I noticed that a materials science-focused proposal could be a very helpful addition.

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Undergraduate research.

Why Complete Undergraduate Research?

Undergraduate research helps students develop skills that employers value. While research opportunities vary by species and discipline, a common element is starting with an interesting question that has an unknown answer. Many different careers will present students with challenges they don’t know how to solve. Completing an undergraduate research project helps students mature as thinkers and doers.

What Qualifies as Undergraduate Research?

The nonprofit Council on Undergraduate Research defines it as “a mentored investigation or creative inquiry conducted by undergraduates that seeks to make a scholarly or artistic contribution to knowledge”. For many Animal Science undergraduates, that may involve working as a research assistant in a faculty member’s program, participating in a group research project in the Animal Science Undergraduate Research Student Association (ASURSA) or working independently on a research project with guidance from a faculty mentor.

To complete undergraduate research and satisfy the experiential learning requirement in the Animal Science degree, students must enroll in ANS 492 Undergraduate Research (3 credits) and present the results of their research at an undergraduate or faculty research forum, scientific meeting or in a peer-reviewed publication.

Identifying Opportunities for Undergraduate Research

Students can seek out opportunities on their own, or with the help of an academic advisor or faculty member who specializes in the species or discipline of interest. Faculty web pages provide helpful information on the species and discipline focus of their research programs. Students can complete undergraduate research with a professor in Animal Science or in another discipline.

Students should plan to acquire initial experience in a faculty member’s research program prior to undertaking their own undergraduate research project. Participating in an ASURSA research project can provide initial experience to the scientific method used in conducting research. Getting that experience early in an academic program can help students identify or refine goals in your degree and career. There is no specific time in your program to complete undergraduate research, although prior research experience is helpful. Many students conduct research during their junior or senior years.

Earning Credit for ANS 492 Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate research must be approved by the ANS 492 coordinator, Dr. Miriam Weber Nielsen, before enrollment. Once you have identified an undergraduate research opportunity with a faculty mentor, complete the online application form at https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6lBgeycjL59tNJA . Your project will be reviewed and processed for enrollment within about one week.

Funding for Undergraduate Research

The faculty mentor will provide the project idea and research funding for students completing undergraduate research in his or her program. Additional funding is available through the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources ( https://www.canr.msu.edu/academics/undergraduate/undergraduateresearch/ ). Funding for dairy-related projects is available through the G.C. and Gwendolyn Graf Memorial Student Enhancement Program managed by Dr. Miriam Weber Nielsen.

More questions?

Please contact the ANS 492 Undergraduate Research coordinator, Dr. Miriam Weber Nielsen ( [email protected] ) for more information.

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Examples of Thesis Titles About Animal Science

If you are writing thesis or dissertations about animal science you might want to consider some of these research titles.

We have put together some examples of research thesis titles in animal science.

You can follow the steps below to search for relevant research topics and work in animal science.

• Check out the Animal Science research section or
• Search for any specific keyword or topics under Animal Science in order to see previously written work that may be relevant for your research

See some sample thesis and dissertations titles about or related to animal science

(1) Recent Advances in The Application Of Biotechnology in Animal Nutrition

Biotechnology is the use of biological processes, organisms, or systems to manufacture products intended to improve plants and animals for human use. Recently, there are wide potential applications of biotechnology in the field of animal production to increase the productivity of animals through better plane of nutrition, better production and improved health conditions. View the complete document

(2) Preference of Ram Lambs Raised on Different Bedding Materials

In sheep production, the choice of bedding materials affects production, animal growth, and animal welfare; therefore a balance must exist between animal comfort, and well being, cleanliness, and efficiency. This study investigated the preference of weaned ram lambs raised on three bedding materials (Sand, Straw, and Wood shavings) and Cement floor. A total of Eight (8) ram lambs (10-15kg) were randomly housed in a pen that was subdivided into 4 areas. View completed document

(3) Growth, Reproduction, Milk Quality, Blood Profile and Carcass Characteristics of Pigs Fed Diets Containing Graded Levels of Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal

The study which lasted for thirteen months was undertaken to evaluate Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) as feed ingredient on the growth, reproduction, milk quality, blood indices and carcass characteristics of pigs. The specific objectives were to determine the impact of Moringa oleifera leaf meal fed at varying levels (0%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, and 12%) on the growth rate, reproductive performance, milk quality, haematological and biochemical indices and carcass characteristics of pigs. View complete document.

(4) Analysis Of The Utilization Of Food Resources By The African Wood Mouse Hylomyscus Denniae Endorobae (Rodentia: Muridae) From Ihururu Forest, Kenya

Hylomyscus denniae endorobae is a rodent important in ecosystems as predator, prey, seed disperser, determinant of forest tree growth and structure as well as a contributor to biodiversity which subsequently plays a role in natural livelihood and national development. Fragmentation of tropical rain forest continues to pose a serious threat to species diversity, which leads to decreased natural income, primary production and general breakdown of an ecosystem. View complete document.

(5) Comparative Study On The Chemical Composition Of Cows, Goat And She Camels Colostrum During The First Three Days After Parturition

The present study was undertaken to compare the chemical composition of the colostrums of cows, goat and she camel’s species during the first three days after parturition. Camel colostrums was collected from camel research center University of Khartoum (Shambat), cows and goat colostrums collected from the department of animal production dairy farm college of agriculture studies, Sudan University of science and Technology (Shambat). View complete document.

(6) Evaluation of Neem Leaf Meal as a Protein Source for Sheep on Low Quality Forage

In Ghana the dominant sheep breed is the West African Dwarf Sheep (Djallonké). It is trypanotolerant, hardy, prolific and suitable for year round breeding but has its productivity to be less than optimal. Due to poor nutrition it has poor growth rate and reproductive performance. Therefore it is important to improve its nutrition and productivity. With a crude protein level of 20.9% as compared to other tree leaves, Neem leaves can be included in the diets of ruminants in the form of supplements. View completed document .

(7) Influence of Day Length, Dietary Protein Concentration and Season on Production, Reproductive Traits and Blood Characteristics of Indigenous Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) in Ghana

Four biological experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of season, daylength, dietary protein concentration and artificial insemination on production and reproductive traits, egg characteristics, and blood and semen characteristics of pearl Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris). The first, second and third experiments were of 52 weeks duration each and utilized a total of 60 and 60 and 24 Guinea fowls, respectively and the fourth was of 26 weeks duration carried out on 36 Guinea fowls. View complete document .

(8) The Relationships Among Nutrition, Soil Ingestion And Anthrax Occurrence In Zebra And Springbok In The Etosha National Park Of Namibia

The relationship among animal nutrition, soil ingestion and the seasonality of anthrax occurrence in zebra and springbok in the Etosha National Park of Namibia was examined. The nutrient content of zebra and springbok faeces was determined in wet and dry seasons for a period of two years. Nutrient content was also determined for a dominant grass species (Enneapogon desvauxii) eaten by zebra. View complete document

(9) Mortality in Small Ruminants and Implications for Livelihoods of Their Keepers in the Savelugu-Nanton District of the Northern Region of Ghana

Despite the many roles small ruminants play in the livelihoods of rural small holder farmers. high mortality in small ruminants has been identified as the major constraint impeding productivity, and hence the livelihoods of small ruminant keepers. In the Savelugu-Nanton district estimated losses in livestock output due to mortality of small ruminants are in the tune of 35%. The present study focuses on the implications of these losses due to mortality in small ruminants in the district and suggests ways of reducing the losses. View full document .

(10) Commercial Feed Availability as a Factor in Poultry (Chicken) Production in Sekyere District, Ashanti Region, Ghana

Commercial feed availability is essential in areas where poultry (chicken) farmers practice intensive production. A study was thus undertaken in the Sekyere West District (SWD) of Ashanti Region to determine the availability of commercial feed as a factor in chicken production. The study also assessed patronage of Agricare feed in Mampong, SWD, covering a period of 3 years (2004-2006). View full document .

(11) Effect of Egg Size and Day Length on Reproductive and Growth Performance, Egg Characteristics and Blood Profile of the Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris)

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of egg size and day length on reproductive and growth performance, egg characteristics and blood profile of indigenous guinea fowls in Ghana. The study was carried out for a period of ten (10) months. Two hundred and forty day-old keets hatched from three different egg size groups (treatments): small (23-39g); medium (40-42g) and large (43-49g) were used in the experiment. View full document .

(12) A Comparative Study of Some Performance Characteristics of Cobb and Ross Broiler Strains Fed Rations with Varying Levels of Palm Kernel Oil Residue (PKOR)

A  comparative  study  was  conducted  on  some  performance characteristics with 225 each of Cobb 500 and Ross 308 broiler chickens fed three rations in which PKOR replaced wheat bran at 0% (control), 10% and 20% levels. There were 6 treatments (of 75 birds each) and 3 replicates (of 25 birds  each),  in  a  completely  randomized  designed 2×3  factorial  experiment. The trial used 3-week old broiler chicks over a 5 week period. View full document

(13) Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistant Klebsiella Species in Poultry Feeds, Feed Ingredients and Fecal Samples in Imo State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the level of contamination of commercial poultry feed, feed ingredients and faecal samples with multi-drug resistant Klebsiella species in Imo State, Nigeria. Samples were collected from broiler starter, broiler finisher, growers and layers feed types of three feed brands labelled TFB, VFB and GFB. Faecal samples from broilers, layers and local chicken were collected from randomly selected farms, open market and local chicken in each zone using sterile swab stick to sample the chicken cloaca. View full document .

(14) Methane Production and in Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility of Wad Sheep Fed Graded Moringa Leaf Meal Based Diets

This study carried out in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta evaluates the feeding value of M. oleifera leaf meal-based (MOLM) concentrate as supplement for West African dwarf (WAD) sheep production. Five dietary concentrates were formulated with M. oleifera included at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of concentrate diet and chemical composition of the diets was determined using 25 WAD sheep (r=5). View full document .

(15) Biomass Yield and Nutritive Quality of Two Grasses in the Natural Pastures as Affected by Cutting Height and Interval in Abeokuta

This  experiment  was  conducted  to  study  the  effects  of  cutting  height  and  interval  on  the biomass  yield  and  nutritive  quality  of  Andropogon  tectorum  Schumach  and  Panicum maximum  Jacq.  in  the  natural  pasture  at  the  Federal  University  of  Agriculture,  Abeokuta from  October  2010  to  March  2011.  Two  cutting  heights:  20  and  30  cm  above  ground level  and  three  cutting  intervals:  four,  six  and  eight  weeks  were  combined  in  a  factorial arrangement  and  randomized  complete  block  design  with  three  replicates. View full document .

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August 28, 2024

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Do cats grieve? Research suggests they do

by Grace Carroll, The Conversation

As we grieve the loss of a pet, we may not be the only ones feeling the pain. Research is showing that cats who are left behind when another animal in their home dies could be mourning along with us.

Grief is a well-documented human response to loss—but its roots may be far more ancient as some scientists believe it evolved in extinct species of humans. Corvids—members of the crow family—primates, and marine mammals like dolphins and whales, have all been observed to change their behavior when one of their own dies, from carrying dead offspring for days, to staying close by the body, as if keeping vigil.

One theory is that grief is a by-product of the natural stress response to separation seen in social animals . According to this idea, distress and searching behavior probably evolved to encourage animals to reunite with lost group members , which was beneficial for survival. These responses persist when separation is permanent, like in death, leading to the enduring pain of grief.

While there's plenty of research on how losing a pet affects humans, much less is known about how cats cope with loss, something recent research by US-based comparative psychologists Brittany Greene and Jennifer Vonk investigated.

Unlike typical social species, the cat's wild ancestor was largely solitary. However, domestication has reshaped their behavior, enabling them to live in groups and form social bonds.

Green and Vonk's study suggests that cats can grieve the loss of a fellow pet. In their study of 452 cats, many displayed signs of distress, such as increased attention-seeking, vocalizing and reduced appetite, following the death of a companion. The study found that the strength of the bond between the animals, their time spent together, and daily interactions were key factors in this grief-like behavior.

This study builds on earlier research by animal welfare researcher Jessica Walker and her team in 2016, which examined how cats and dogs react to the loss of a companion. Walker's study, conducted in New Zealand and Australia, found that 75% of surviving pets showed noticeable behavioral changes, with cats showing increased affection, clinginess and anxiety-related vocalizations.

It should be noted that both studies relied on owner perceptions to assess changes in pet behavior, which presents a potential problem. While pet owners are often the most attuned to subtle changes in their animals, their observations may also be influenced by their own grief and emotional state.

Is it really grief?

There is an alternative explanation for changes in behavior of the owners in studies observed after a companion's death. The presence of a deceased animal can signal danger in the environment , causing pets to change their behavior as a safety measure, rather than being a grief response. Although this hasn't been studied in domestic cats , 2012 research on western scrub-jays revealed that seeing a dead member of their species can prompt alarm calls and behavior aimed at avoiding danger, much like how they would react to a predator.

Similarly, a 2006 study on bumblebees found that they were less likely to visit flowers that contained a freshly-killed bee or its scent, probably reducing their own risk of being attacked.

This suggests that what we interpret as grief might, in some cases, be a survival instinct. Some behavior the owners in the studies noticed after the death of a companion, such as their cat hiding or seeking higher vantage points, could support this idea.

A question you might be asking is whether cats mourn the deaths of their owners. Though we would like to think that our cat would mourn our death, at the minute, we simply don't know. There seems to be little to no research on how cats react to the death of their owner.

One unsettling behavior that has been well documented upon death of an animals' owner is the consumption of their remains. While cats often get a bad reputation for this, dog lovers should note that both cats and dogs have been known to scavenge human remains. In fact, pet dogs are more frequently documented doing so.

Some scientists suggest this behavior might stem from hunger, but it has also happened when food was plentiful . Another theory, better aligned with the idea of grief, is that scavenging might start as an attempt to revive an unresponsive owner. When nudging or licking doesn't work, the animal may escalate to nipping or biting in an effort to rouse them .

So the jury is still out on whether cats grieve in response to loss, or if they are responding to changes in their environment that we have yet to fully understand.

Provided by The Conversation

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• भारत सरकार GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
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विज्ञान एवं प्रौद्योगिकी विभाग

• Home   >>  
• Call of Proposals on Advanced Materials under NPNST  >>  

Call of Proposals on Advanced Materials under NPNST

The Department of Science & Technology is pleased to announce the call for proposals under the scheme “Advanced Materials” under National Program for Nano Science and Technology (NPNST) to promote the basic research activities on the thrust research areas of advanced materials, R&D infrastructure/facilities confined to advanced materials research for meeting-up the highly increasing demand of these materials towards various sectors in the coming years. Considering the important role of advanced materials, this scheme encourages and supports to proposals on the basic, applied research and translational research for the development of products.

Thematic research areas of the call for proposal:

• Affordable and sustainable materials processing
• Engineered low dimensional materials for optical and electronic applications
• Structural materials for mobility applications
• Bio-inspired materials for sensing and diagnostics
• High performance materials for energy conversion
• Theory/computational design of materials for the above verticals

For more details please visit: https://onlinedst.gov.in/

Important Dates:

Call Opening Date: 1 st September 2024   Call Closing Date:   30 th September 2024

Related Organization

Miscellaneous.

• Investment Plan 2025-2027
• Assessment and scoring guidance - Smart Ideas 2025 investment round – Endeavour Fund

Assessment and scoring guidance – Research Programmes 2025 Investment Round

• Successful 2023 Smart Ideas
• Successful 2023 Research Programmes
• Previous Endeavour Fund rounds
• Assessment and scoring guidance – Research Programmes 2024 Investment Round
• Assessment and scoring guidance - Smart Ideas 2024 investment round – Endeavour Fund

Research Programmes Call for Proposals 2025 investment round - Endeavour Fund

We are inviting proposals for the Endeavour – Research Programmes funding mechanism. The Fund’s objective is to support ambitious, excellent, and well-defined research ideas which have credible and high potential to positively transform New Zealand’s future in areas of future value, growth, or critical need.

On this page

The funding available.

The indicative total annual funding available is $38m (excluding GST). Each individual contract value is a minimum of $0.5m (excluding GST) per year and for a term of 3, 4 or 5 years.

For the 2025 investment round, the Science Board will aim to fund at least 17 Research Proposals. 

Who can apply

For proposals to be eligible under the Endeavour Research Programmes mechanism, they must:

• be made by a New Zealand-based Research Organisation or a New Zealand-based legal entity representing a New Zealand-based Research Organisation
• be designed so that the majority of the public benefits in new knowledge accrue outside of the Research Organisation or legal entity which represents the Research Organisation 
• not be made by a department of the public service as listed in Schedule 2 of the Public Service Act 2020
• be made under an investment mechanism specified in the Schedules of the Endeavour Fund 2025 Gazette Notice
• be for research, science or technology, or related activities, the majority of which are to be undertaken in New Zealand, unless the Science Board considers that there are compelling reasons to consider the proposals, despite the amount of research, science or technology or related activities being proposed to be undertaken overseas
• not benefit a Russian state institution (including but not limited to support for Russian military or security activity) or an organisation outside government that may be perceived as contributing to the war effort
• meet any applicable timing, formatting, system or other similar administrative requirements imposed by MBIE in supplying administrative services to the Science Board under section 10(7) of the RS&T Act 2010
• advise that the proposed funding recipient will, and the Science Board is of the view that it can, adhere to the terms and conditions of funding set out in an investment contract determined by the Science Board
• not be for activities already funded elsewhere.

In addition to the above criteria, to be eligible:

• research proposals can include some out-of-scope research outcomes (health, defence and expanding knowledge) and remain eligible, as long as the sum of these outcomes is 49% or less of the proposal’s outcomes.

Application and assessment information

• Registration - all applicants must register before they can submit a proposal.
• Applicant submits a proposal.
• Independent Assessors review and score the proposal against the Excellence assessment criteria.
• The Science Board decides if the proposal is eligible.
• Based on the Assessor reviews and scores, the Science Board decides which proposals progress to Impact assessment.
• Independent Assessors review and score proposals against Impact assessment criteria.
• The Science Board makes its investment decisions using the Assessor reviews and scores, and the portfolio approach described in the Endeavour Fund 2025 Gazette Notice.

Completing your registration and submitting proposals

Applicants are required to complete their registration and submit proposals in Pītau, our Investment Management System - a secure online portal. To help you prepare your registration and proposal we have provided two templates:

• Research Programmes Registration template 
• Research Programmes Proposal template 

These templates are in the key documents section below.

Dates are subject to change. If they change, we will let you know by email or stakeholder alert.

You can also subscribe to our Alert e-newsletter.

Subscribe here (external link)

Endeavour Fund Roadshows: 2025 Investment Round

Join us for the virtual Endeavour Fund Roadshows for the 2025 Investment Round on 2, 3, and 7 October 2024. This is an opportunity for the research community to engage with the Endeavour Team.

At the roadshows, we will provide everything you need to know about the 2025 Investment Round for both the Smart Ideas and Research Programmes funding mechanisms.

The Roadshow webinars are scheduled for two hours. The first hour is a webinar presentation given by MBIE, followed by an hour for Q&A. Register using one of the registration links below to secure your place.

The webinar presentation will be published on this page before the end of October 2024. 

Contact [email protected]  

Key documents

When developing your proposal, we encourage you to consult the following key reference documents:

Endeavour Fund Investment Plan 2025-2027

Endeavour Fund 2025 Investment Round (external link)  — gazette.govt.nz

Endeavour Fund

The assessment criteria

Assessors will assess proposals on each of the criteria (below) and score them from 1 (low quality) to 7 (high quality).

See the assessment and scoring guidance pages here:

Assessment and scoring guidance - Research Programmes 2025 Investment Round

Excellence: Science Criterion (25% weighting)

Research should be well-designed, involve risk and/or novelty, and leverage additional value from wider research. Assessment must have particular regard to whether the proposed research, science or technology or related activities:

• progress and disseminate new knowledge
• have a well-designed research plan and a credible approach to risk management
• are ambitious in terms of scientific risk, technical risk, novelty and/or innovative approaches
• are well-positioned in the domestic and international research context
• if applicable to the proposal, recognises the distinctive research, science and innovation contributions of Māori people, knowledge and resources, including Mātauranga Māori.

Excellence: Team Criterion (25% weighting)

The proposed team should have the mix of complementary skills, knowledge, and resources to deliver the proposed research, science or technology or related activities, and to manage risk. Assessment must have particular regard as to whether:

• the mix of skills is appropriate for the research 
• the team has the skills, knowledge and resources which give confidence in their ability to deliver the research
• if appropriate, the team has the appropriate Māori expertise for the project.

Impact: Benefit to New Zealand (25% weighting)

Research should have direct and indirect benefits or effect on individuals, communities or society as a whole, including broad benefits to New Zealand’s economy, environment or society. Assessment must have particular regard to:

• the scale and extent of potential benefits from the proposed research, science or technology, or related activities
• the extent of alignment with one or more areas of future additional value, growth, or critical need for New Zealand
• if appropriate, the extent to which the project has identified and evaluated the potential impacts for Māori.

Impact: Implementation Pathway(s) (25% weighting)

Research should have an indicative implementation pathway(s) to deliver public benefit to New Zealand that is not limited to a single firm or end-user, and an understanding of the barriers to impact. Assessment must have particular regard to:

• the degree to which the proposal demonstrates an understanding of the enablers and barriers in potential implementation pathway(s) to deliver public benefits to New Zealand 
• the credibility of indicative implementation pathway(s) to deliver public benefits to New Zealand, not limited to a single firm or end-user
• identification of the indicative end or next-users, beneficiaries, and stakeholders
• the mix of complementary skills and experience, within the team, relevant to achieving impact in the proposed impact areas
• where there is mātauranga Māori, assess whether there is sufficient input from Māori at the appropriate stage(s) of the project, that is adequately resourced, to ensure effective implementation.

Vision Mātauranga Assessment

Where applicable, proposals must consider the relevancy of the Vision Mātauranga Policy. We expect that the Vision Mātauranga Policy will not be relevant to all proposals. Proposals that give effect to the Policy should demonstrate the relevance and use of a fit-for-purpose approach.

Related to Vision Mātauranga, Assessors will be asked - in their opinion, is the Vision Mātauranga policy relevant to this proposal? (Yes / No)

If the assessor answers ‘Yes’ they will then be asked:

• In their opinion, how well will the project give effect to the Vision Mātauranga Policy (i.e., realise the potential of Māori people, knowledge and resources), and reflect genuine, fit-for-purpose approaches? 
• To consider the specific activities, outputs, and outcomes described, and whether they will create impact for Māori. 

Assessors will select from the following to best describe their opinion: Exceptional / Very Well / Well / Not Well / Absent.

Conflicts of interest

Declare any potential conflicts of interest with Assessors or the Science Board. See our web pages for members of the College of Assessors and the Science Board .

If you identify that an Assessor has an actual, potential, or perceived direct or indirect conflict of interest, declare this in the Conflicts of Interest section of your application. If you discover a potential conflict of interest after proposal submission, you must notify us immediately by emailing [email protected] with details of the conflict. Conflicts of interest may occur on two different levels:

• directly involved with a proposal (as a participant, manager, mentor, or partner) or has a close personal relationship with the applicant, for example, family members, or
• a collaborator or in some other way involved with an applicant’s proposal.
• is employed by an organisation involved in a proposal but is not part of the applicant’s proposal
• has a personal and/or professional relationship with one of the applicants, for example, an acquaintance
• is assessing a proposal under discussion that may compete with their business interests.

Funding decisions

The Science Board decides on eligibility and makes the investment decisions in accordance with the Endeavour Fund 2025 Gazette Notice, considering:

• independent Assessor reviews and scores, and portfolio balancing
• investment signals and targets in the Endeavour Fund Investment Plan 2025-2027.

The Science Board may decide to invest less than the total funding indicated in the Gazette Notice.

Contracting, payment, reporting and monitoring

Contracting (variation process) .

If the Science Board decides to invest in your proposal, MBIE will enter into a Science Investment Contract and an associated Work Programme Agreement with your organisation (subject to any pre-contract conditions being met). A sample contract is available in our Key Documents section.

The Science Board may:

• set pre-contract conditions that must be met before MBIE and the applicant organisation can enter into a Science Investment Contract or any Work Programme Agreement
• set special contract conditions, and/or
• vary the amount of funding allocated from that requested.

For successful applicants, the total funding over the term of the contract will be split into equal monthly payments and paid in advance. 

Reporting and monitoring

Successful applicants will be required to report once a year in Pītau – our online portal. Reporting guidance and templates are published annually. See the Reporting Template in the key documents section.

Email:  [email protected]

Phone: 0800 693 778 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm)

Crown copyright © 2024

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/science-and-innovation/funding-information-and-opportunities/investment-funds/endeavour-fund/research-programmes-call-for-proposals-2025-investment-round-endeavour-fund Please note: This content will change over time and can go out of date.