Writing a Proposal

Here are some basic tips for writing a solid fellowship proposal.

• Know the requirements of the application.

Each fellowship is different. Some may request two letters of recommendation, some three. One fellowship may desire a resume and another a curriculum vitae. Make sure you know what is required and that you submit each piece when the time comes. Most institutions receive hundreds if not thousands of applications for single fellowships and are looking for easy excuses to reject most submissions. Do not give them that excuse!

• Ask for advice.

You may know someone who has written a successful fellowship proposal. You may know someone who has reviewed successful fellowship proposals. Do not be afraid to ask for help or guidance. Also, many institutions provide lists of current and past fellowship winners. Consider reaching out and asking what their experience was, especially if its for a fellowship you are applying for.

• Become acquainted with the institution’s staff.

Archivists, curators, and librarians are well aware of their institution’s holdings. Reaching out and building a professional relationship is great for the early stages of a proposal. It helps you learn about the collections you wish to examine and builds a rapport between you and the people who will be reviewing your application.

• Request your letters of recommendation as soon as possible.

Most fellowships require at least one letter of recommendation, if not two or three. Make sure you ask your letter writers early so they have time to discuss your project with you and produce letters that truly capture the scope and significance of your project.

• Keep to the due date.

Many institutions set a firm deadline for fellowship proposals. Know when that deadline is and plan accordingly. Make sure your letter writers know the due date, too!

• Do not go over the proposal’s word count.

Most fellowships set a word count for proposals. Know what the word count is and stick to it. Too many words may waste the institution’s time while reviewing hundreds of applications and may come off as inconsiderate. Keeping to a word count also helps scholars better explain their project succinctly, a useful skill for many situations.

• Know your proposal’s audience.

Application reviewers are often not specialists in your field and may not recognize certain phrases, concepts, historiographies, or methodologies. Keep this in mind when explaining the process and objectives of your project.

• Demonstrate knowledge not just of your project, but of the institution’s holdings as they relate to it.

Fellowships often provide funding for scholars to research a particular institution’s holdings. Make clear in your proposal that you know what materials are available at the institution you are applying to and explain why they are essential for your project. Keep in mind this is an artful skill, as it requires you to explain materials you have not yet examined.

• Explain your project’s significance.

Institutions love knowing that their collections are valuable to cultural and historical understanding. Structure your proposal so that it explains the significance of your project and how the institution’s holdings are crucial for displaying that significance.

• Be prepared for rejections, but not dismayed.

Fellowships are competitive awards and the applicant pools increase each year. You will likely receive rejections early in your career. However, some institutions recognize growth and perseverance. Always consider reapplying during the next application cycle. Also, proposal writing is useful for refining your project and bettering your arguments. Do not think a rejection is a waste of time.

• Request feedback.

Whether your proposal is accepted or rejected, considering asking the institution for feedback. Reviewers may be willing to tell you what you did wrong and what you did right. This information can be very helpful when writing your next proposal.

Other Resources

Several institutions provide advice on how to write fellowship proposals.

Yale University - Writing a Fellowship Proposal

Yale University’s Writing a Fellowship Proposal website provides a comprehensive explanation of the writing process for fellowship proposals, including guidance on requesting letters, creating budgets, crafting resumes, drafting personal statements, and more.

Cornell University - Fellowship Application Tips

Cornell University’s Graduate School provides various Fellowship Application Tips for finding fellowships and writing applications, with an emphasis on scheduling and drafting.

UCLA - Writing Fellowship and Grant Proposals

UCLA’s Graduate Writing Center provides great content on how to write a fellowship proposal. Its Writing Fellowship and Grant Proposals website includes several recorded workshops, writing guides, and links for other writing tools.

UNC - Grant Proposals (or Give me the money!)

The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill maintains an excellent website that explains quite well the application process of most fellowships and how to write a proper proposal.

ACLS - Writing Fellowship Proposals

The American Council of Learned Societies provides a free article PDF on how to write proposals for ACLS fellowships. Authored by a former program officer, this document provides general insights regarding audience, strategies, structures, significance, and more.

Nature - Secrets to Writing a Winning Grant

Secrets to Writing a Winning Grant is an article on the website Nature. Although written for the scientific community, scholars working in the humanities may learn a great deal from the anecdotes provided.