research proposal melbourne university

• Academic Skills
• Reading, writing and referencing
• Referencing and research

Research proposals

How to write an effective proposal.

What's it for?

A research proposal explains the nature and extent of your planned or future research. It is written for an academic reader e.g. for your supervisor or an academic with a similar disciplinary background. By thinking through your entire research project from beginning to end, it may also highlight core issues with the feasibility of the project.

W hat's in it ?

There are some disciplinary differences regarding exactly what is included in the proposal. For example, disciplines such as Psychology may include a prominent hypothesis statement, others in the Social Sciences including Education, may expect a set of research questions that the study will answer. However, all research proposals should cover the four basic elements below.

• The research topic addresses a significant problem and, therefore, advances the state of knowledge in that field.
• Identification of an appropriate methodology and underlying theory to address the problem, including data collection methods and equipment (if required).
• Details of how the collected data will be analysed in such a way that useful conclusions can be drawn.
• An organised plan for any proposed work, including a timeframe.

Possible macro-structures

The structure of your research proposal will vary depending on the requirements of your discipline. Nevertheless, certain structural elements will be expected by your reader and these may be presented in the following order. Check with the Research Coordinator in your area for specific requirements.

Identifies the title of the project, your full name, the institution, department, and supervisor details. The title should be brief and descriptive and may use a colon (:) to separate the topic from the focus (i.e. Stormwater Harvesting: Managing the hazards of surface water pollution by run-off ).

Lists the sections of the Research Proposal (headings and indented sub-headings) and corresponding page numbers.

Outlines the essence of the research project. It describes the purpose and motivation for the study, the problem, the data collection methodology and analysis, significant results and implications of the research.

Provides background information for the research (i.e. the problem being addressed) and is typically structured from general information to narrow or focused ideas with your research question/s or hypotheses at the narrow end.

The Introduction should be about 10% of your proposal.

Imagine you are writing for a general reader rather than an expert audience. The Introduction includes a brief review of relevant literature or knowledge in the field, so that you are able to present a gap in existing knowledge and, therefore, the significance and originality of your research.

Finally, articulate the scope of your research (or what you will not be doing) to limit your task. Your research question/s should encapsulate the primary question/s you aim to solve.

Synthesises the literature in your field. Some disciplines will expect to see this in the Introduction but others will want it placed in this ‘stand-alone’ section (especially in more Humanities-based fields). Again, it could be structured from broad to narrow, so literature on the more general aspects of your topic could come first, narrowing down to published work on your particular area of interest. You might end this section by including a short summary of the main themes you have identified from the literature.

Includes a description and rationale for the methods of data collection and analysis, and the materials you will use in your research. Use subheadings if possible ( i.e. Data Collection, Data Analysis, Ethical Considerations etc.) and write with a future aspect, ( i.e. The research will initially examine water treatment processes in... )

Details any results that you may already have resulting from previous Honours or Masters’ research work, or perhaps from a pilot study. It is important to relate these results to the critical framework of your intended new research project.

Lists the stages of the research project in timeline, spreadsheet or tabular format, and the deadlines for completion of these stages or tasks. You should include any anticipated challenges to completion.

Outlines the proposed chapters of the thesis and the content of each chapter in several lines or a paragraph, including a Table of Contents.

Relates the expected outcomes of your research to the aims expressed in the Introduction so that the need for the study and the contribution to knowledge is clear.

Provides all the resources cited in your resource proposal using a referencing format favoured by your faculty or discipline. Do not list resources that are not directly referred to in your Proposal.

Writing the Research Proposal

How much should i write.

A research proposal is usually quite a bit longer than other written academic genres. In the Humanities, it could be around 10,000 words or even longer (excluding the Reference List); whereas those from more Science-oriented disciplines may be shorter.

What should I begin with?

Similar to other academic genres, writing the research proposal is a process. If you are proposing a ‘recycled’ topic that builds on previous assignments already written on the same topic, you might spend some time re-reading these. However, if you are starting a ‘fresh’ project you might consider two key questions:

• What am I really interested in finding out about my research topic?
• How am I going to do this in practice? Brainstorm responses to these questions under a strict time limit – say 30 minutes.

Then leave this ‘free-writing’ for at least 24 hours before reviewing it for a possible more polished second draft.

How should I approach the literature?

Reviewing the academic literature on your topic is one of the most critical stages of your research proposal. This section goes beyond a simple summary of everything written on a subject. Instead, it is a critical synthesis of materials that illuminates selected academic literature on your topic. Your coverage of the literature should reflect the argument or perspective that you have set out in your research question/s.

Try the following techniques for dealing with the literature:

• Develop a theme or series of themes from your broad reading, referencing the work of relevant authors who support your position or who provide counter-arguments against your point/s.
• Limit excessive quoting. Too many direct quotations will dilute your authority over the topic.
• Avoid beginning paragraphs with “Jones argues …”; “Smith states …” This approach risks losing a sense of your writer’s authority to the work of others. Instead, provide an overview of the paragraph in a topic sentence written in your own writer’s voice.

Adapted from Rudestam and Newton (2015) as cited in Paltridge and Starfield (2020). Thesis and dissertation writing in a second language: A handbook for students and their advisers. Routledge.

Tips for writing

• Avoid language that is overly hesitant or tentative (i.e. ‘It seems that…’, ‘It is hoped that …’). Instead, use confident language when you feel able to (i.e. ‘It is clear that…’, ‘I assert that …’).
• Break up large blocks of text into smaller sections using sub-headings and bullet-points.
• Anticipate possible problems with, or limitations of, your research. Address these issues directly for your own benefit as well as to improve the entire proposal.
• Make your proposal is easy for readers to skim read. Never assume your readers will read your work in a ‘logical’ order. Use sub-headings and restate key ideas to guide the reader through your writing.
• Find copies of other Research Proposals in your field and study the way they:
• devise titles.
• structure their proposal.
• use discipline-specific language.
• Take a note of anything else you notice. You might ask your potential supervisor/s for models of previously submitted proposals or search for relevant examples online (look for examples from reputable .edu or .org. web addresses)

Remember, your research proposal should demonstrate:

• the feasibility and logical foundations of your project
• a well-focussed research question, set of research objectives, or hypothesis
• the width and depth of the academic literature on your topic
• understanding of current issues or debates on your topic
• justification of your project through the literature
• a match between the methodology and / or methods and your research question/s

Adapted from Cadman (2002) as cited in Paltridge, B. and Starfield, S. (2020). Thesis and dissertation writing in a second language: A handbook for students and their advisers. Routledge.

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Go to Student appointments

• Faculty of Arts
• School of Culture and Communication
• Current students

Graduate research

Future research students.

Information for prospective students regarding the Doctor of Philosophy – Arts or Masters by Research program.

Master of Arts (Thesis only)

Doctor of Philosophy – Arts

For information about how to apply and the application timeline, please refer to the Faculty of Arts Future Graduate Research web page:

How to apply

You can search for scholarships offered by the University of Melbourne on the Scholarships website:

Melbourne Scholarships

Prospective Creative Writing students – research proposals

Here are some guidelines to assist you in developing a proposal for a research higher degree in Creative Writing at the University of Melbourne (Master of Arts or PhD).

The creative PhD at the University of Melbourne is developed and marked as a single thesis, with two major elements: a dissertation and a creative work.

Each part usually contributes 50% to the overall word count. It is possible to increase the dissertation above 50%, but the creative work cannot be more than 50%.

One way to understand the unity of the creative PhD thesis is to consider that there is one overarching research question or hypothesis, which is approached within the thesis in two different manners, a scholarly one and a creative one.

The dissertation is not an exegesis. The dissertation does not offer a commentary on the creative processes or the intentions of the writer. The dissertation is intended to stand independently as a scholarly work making an original contribution to its field or discipline. In creative writing, this field is often interdisciplinary, but it can be characterised as a discipline interested in writerly questions, that is questions that take into account creativity, creative processes, the decision-making that goes into a creative text, cultural and technological influences on writing, questions of genre boundaries (including emerging genres, hybrid genres), and questions that address issues in conceiving of writing as a craft. This is a broad description and it is not exhaustive, but it does indicate that most dissertations are investigating aspects of the act of writing.

In your proposal you should make it clear what your research question is, and how this question fits with or responds to an ongoing critical discourse. You should identify the fields or disciplines you will draw upon, what models of analysis you will adopt, and what critical and creative texts you wish to discuss in your dissertation.

The creative work will need to be articulated in your proposal with some detail, understanding that as with all creative works there will be room for re-considerations and re-drafting. You should show how your creative work addresses or arises from your research question.

Your proposal should include an indicative list of the texts you will consult.

Current research students

Information for currently enrolled graduate researchers in the Doctor of Philosophy – Arts or Master by Research program regarding supervision panel membership and timelines, as well as symposia requirements, grants and fieldwork funding.

Orientation and induction

The Faculty of Arts provides an orientation welcome session for new graduate researchers at the beginning of each year. After the orientation session, there will be a local induction to the School of Culture and Communications.

During semester, the various disciplines within the school hold staff and graduate research seminars in which local and guest speakers read a research paper, followed by discussion. You are strongly encouraged to attend and are welcome to offer papers or suggest visiting speakers. Details of the events are circulated by email.

The Culture and Communications Graduate Committee (CCGC) holds a seminar for graduate researchers on Thursday lunchtimes during semester. These informal seminars provide an opportunity to workshop new material and to meet with other students. This seminar is also a great forum for confirmation and completion hurdle requirements. Seminars will generally consist of two 20-minute papers or one 40-minute completion seminar, with time for questions. The seminar is currently being held at 1pm on Thursdays, usually in John Medley (Building 191) , 4th Floor Linkway Room.

The CCGC also hosts two Work-in-Progress days per year, commonly known as WIP Days. This is an opportunity for the Schools’ graduate researchers to present their Confirmation, Completion and Work-in-Progress Seminars in front of their advisory committees and to a broader academic audience. Graduate researchers are invited by the CCGC to register to present on WIP Day prior to the events.

University of Melbourne Graduate Student Association (GSA)

The University of Melbourne Graduate Student Association (GSA) is your voice on committees and a great provider of community and social activities for the thousands of graduate students at the University. GSA also provides the only independent advocates on campus specifically for graduate students, so if you run into any trouble in your degree, give GSA a call on +61 3 8344 8657 or drop by the Doug McDonell (Building 168) for advice. GSA manages a range of graduate-only study spaces, lockers, computer labs, meeting rooms and carrels in the Graduate Centre as well, available for all of the University’s graduate students.

Graduate Associations

Culture and communication graduate committee (ccgc).

The Culture and Communication Graduate Committee (the CCGC) is the School of Culture and Communication’s Graduate Student Association. It is an independent, student-run committee which aims to provide fair and equitable representation for all graduate researchers within the School. Formerly known as Dis/course, the committee receives funding from both the University of Melbourne Graduate Student Association (GSA) and from the School itself. With this support, the CCGC works to build a spirit of collegiality among graduate researchers and provide support and training for both research and coursework students. This includes running a variety of social events; acting as the graduate researcher voice within both the school and the university; running a weekly seminar series that provides graduate researchers with an opportunity to present their work to peers in a supportive and friendly environment; and providing workshops aimed at giving assistance to graduate researchers with various aspects of academic life.

The CCGC provides services and representation for all graduate researchers within the School: Art History, Arts and Cultural Management, Australian Indigenous Studies, Creative Writing, English and Theatre Studies, Media and Communications, Publishing and Communications and Screen and Cultural Studies. All graduate researchers are welcome and encouraged to attend meetings, raise issues regarding any aspect of candidature, offer suggestions and organise activities. The annual AGM is held at the end of year BBQ, while a general meeting is held at the Work-In-Progress day at the end of first semester, and all graduate researchers in the school are strongly encouraged to attend a meeting and get involved. For more information on the running of the CCGC, please refer to our constitution.

Any graduate researcher in the School may join the committee or get involved with the events that they organise. If you are interested email Culture and Communication Graduate committee or come along to the AGM at the end of year BBQ, or the general meeting at Work in Progress day.

Reading and Research Groups

The School hosts a dynamic community of postgraduate researchers, working across and between the range of disciplines covered by Culture and Communication. Students and staff organise and participate in a variety of reading and research groups, in addition to the more formal university programs. Designed to support high-level or intensive study of significant texts, topics and themes, these groups contribute strongly to the excellence of the research environment of the School.

Please note that the following details are subject to change: if you are interested in attending any of these groups, it would be advisable to contact the relevant coordinator first. If anyone wishes to change or alter any information on this list, please email the Advanced Study Group Coordinator. Many of these groups also have dedicated and up-to-date websites: if available, these are provided with the group listing itself.

Advanced Study Group Coordinator Joe Hughes Email: [email protected]

Information about School study spaces are available via the Faculty.

Study Spaces

The Arts Graduate Research page is the first point of contact for Faculty of Arts specific candidature requirements.

The University’s Graduate Research Hub provides information guides for graduate researchers, including the Confirmation process, submitting your thesis and examination.

Faculty of Arts candidature milestones and requirements

The Faculty sets out a minimum requirement that you must satisfy at each milestone. Please refer to the Confirmation and progress reports web page that details out the requirements for each milestone. Discuss with your Advisory Committee the content needed to satisfy the milestone requirements.

You will be required to provide all the necessary documentation (ie. reports, chapters, words of thesis, etc.) to your Advisory Committee at least 10 days prior to your review meetings. This will allow time for your Advisory Committee to review your progress and discuss it during the meeting.

Your Advisory Committee may require additional reports or chapters on top of the Faculty requirements, as different projects will have varying structures. Ensure that you discuss this with your Advisory Committee and agree to the expectations well in advance of each progress review.

Confirmation and completion seminars

As part of the Confirmation and Completion processes, graduate researchers are required to give a seminar about their research. Usually, these seminars take place at the School’s Graduate Research Symposium.

If you are unable to present at the SCC Graduate Research Symposium, you can arrange to present your Confirmation or Completion seminar on an ad-hoc basis. You will need to consult with your advisory committee to find a suitable date and time. Once you have finalised those details, please submit a Confirmation / Completion seminar booking form . The Arts Graduate Research team has a guide available to help you book a space and a separate form to advertise your seminar. You are responsible for booking your own space and time for your seminar.

Grants and funding are available from numerous sources on and off campus to help graduate researchers meet the costs associated with their research. The most common sources are listed below:

School Funding Scheme

The School Funding Scheme provides funding to graduate researchers within the School to enrich their research and candidature.

The funding covers:

• Travel funding: The School Funding Scheme is generally used to support applications for Faculty travel schemes that require a School contribution. The required School contribution will be outlined on the application page for these schemes
• Conference presentations: Graduate researchers can seek assistance with the cost of travel to either an international or national conference on the condition that they are presenting a paper related to their research topic. Applicants applying for funding for a conference must be able to clearly demonstrate that the workshop or seminar is significant for their field of research
• Photocopying or printing expenses
• Translation costs
• Equipment/consumables essential for fieldwork research
• Software and external hard drives
• Relevant training courses

Funding Amounts

For candidates who commenced before 2021:.

• Doctor of Philosophy (Arts) candidates: $1,500 over the entire candidature
• Masters by Research candidates: $750 over the entire candidature

For candidates who commenced in 2021 and beyond:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Arts) candidates: $2,000 over the entire candidature
• Masters by Research candidates: $1,000 over the entire candidature
• Applicants must be enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy (Arts) or Masters by Research (Thesis only or Advanced Seminar and Master Thesis) in the School of Social and Political Sciences
• Doctor of Philosophy (Arts) and Masters by Research (Thesis only or Advanced Seminar and Shorter Thesis) candidates must be confirmed prior to the release of Scholarship funds and the commencement of activity
• Doctor of Philosophy (Arts) applicants who have exceeded 3.5 years full time candidature (or equivalent part-time) and Masters by Research applicants who have exceeded 18 months of candidature must make a special case as to why the funding will specifically endorse timely completion. This aspect must be referred to in the supervisor’s endorsement
• Graduate researchers undertaking travel for research must first apply to Study Away via the Graduate Research Study Away web page

When to apply

There are no deadlines to apply for the School Funding scheme, and you can apply at any point during your candidature. Please note that you cannot apply for travel funding pre-Confirmation or on a final extension of candidature.

Please fill out the online application form.

Application Form

You will need to provide:

• Your student and course information
• The total amount of funding requested
• The purpose that funding is required
• A letter of support from your supervisor, confirming that the sum requested is justified; the value of the item, training or travel to your research project; and the dates and purpose of travel (if applicable)
• A budget outline, including receipts and quotes
• A declaration that you agree to the terms and conditions

The Faculty of Arts offers three main funding schemes:

Graduate Research in Arts Travel Scheme (GRATS)

GRATS offers assistance with accommodation and/or travel costs of graduate researchers in the Faculty of Arts undertaking research and/or presenting at a conference.

Faculty of Arts Graduate Research International Grant (AGRIG)

AGRIG is intended to support graduate researchers who need to conduct substantial research overseas, but do not meet the methodological or lengthy immersive research requirements of the PhD Fieldwork Grant Scheme.

PhD Fieldwork Grant Scheme

The PhD Fieldwork Grant Scheme supports graduate researchers who are required to conduct extensive, field-based research.

You can search for scholarships available for current graduate research students on the University of Melbourne Scholarships website.

What counts as reasonable for my travel costs?

• While you should be budget conscious, you do not need to choose the absolute cheapest option. You should aim for a balance between low cost and practicality, for example, a slightly more expensive air fare is acceptable if it will significantly reduce your travel time and/ or the departure/ arrival times are more reasonable

My candidature will not be confirmed when the application round closes, but will be when I travel. Can I still apply now or do I need to apply retrospectively?

• You can apply before you are confirmed (if you are within three months of confirmation) but you will only be eligible to receive the funding once you’re confirmed. In this situation, you would be offered the award conditional on successful confirmation

Can I take personal leave during my study away? And what will be funded?

• You can include short periods of personal leave (formal leave of absence) or recreational leave (informal leave built into your candidature) during your time away but you may need to insert a period of formal LOA between two separate periods of study away depending how long your personal leave is. [more specific detail needed]
• Only costs related to your research activity will be funded. For example, the transport costs to and from the location of your research activity will be funded but any detours or other travel would not be covered

Do I have any other funding options for travel?

Yes. Other travel funding is available through smaller schemes, usually with quite targeted criteria (ie demographic of applicant; discipline area; type of research activity; travel destination). It is worth checking the options at:

Faculty of Arts general

Faculty of Arts graduate research

The amount of funding I can request will only cover a small portion of my trip. What do I do?

You can apply to other schemes for funding to supplement any amount offered by a faculty scheme. Key points:

• the total amount that you are granted from various schemes should not exceed your expenses
• you will need to justify your income and expenditure as reasonable in your budget
• you should declare any grants from other schemes to awarding bodies
• you will need to fulfil all terms and conditions for each scheme that grants you funds

I have used all of my School Funding Scheme but my supervisor agrees this trip is essential to my research. Are there any funding options for me?

It is essential to plan out your proposed fieldwork and travel requirements with your supervisor early in candidature so that you have sufficient funds to support any applications to faculty funding schemes. If these resources have been exhausted and you still need to conduct essential travel, you may need to identify other funding sources such as the additional schemes at the links above.

What if my costs change between the estimates I supply and when I book them?

The sums awarded for GRATS, AGRIG and the PhD Fieldwork scheme are based on quotes or receipts, taking into account what may be considered reasonable costs. Additional sums are not awarded for any costs greater than those quoted.

Please keep in mind that travel funding is a contribution towards your travel costs and may not cover all your expenses.

What if my plans change during the trip?

It is not a significant issue if the changes are simply to your dates of travel but do not affect your departure and return date.

If the changes are to your destinations, you need to check for DFAT warnings and avoid if at all possible any affected countries or areas. You may no longer be covered by university insurance. You should also advise the university of any new destinations within your travel period so we can contact you in case of any emergencies.

If your return date changes, you should advise the faculty. If you plan to return later than originally approved in your study away application, you may need to submit a supplementary study away application to bridge the gap.

What if I don’t spend the amount granted?

The sums awarded for GRATS, AGRIG and the PhD Fieldwork scheme are based on quotes or receipts, taking into account what may be considered reasonable costs. You should be able to account for the sum granted to you on a broad level in your report to faculty, but you do not have to repay any funds exceeding your actual, final expenses.

What expenses will the School Funding Scheme pay for?

Aside from the expenses mentioned above, you may apply to the School Funding Scheme for minor sundry research related expenses such as (but not limited to):

• Graduate research business cards
• Data sticks, external hard drives
• Relevant training courses (eg in specific methods of analysis or using specific software/ programs)
• Essential books not available online, in the library, or via interloan
• High quality image files (eg of art works)

For any graduate research matters, please contact the Arts Graduate Research Team. You can visit in person at Room G07, Babel (Building 139) , email the team at [email protected] or call +61 3 8344 0013.

Personalise your experience

Graduate Research

Master of Education (Research)

• Arrow-right #1 in Education in Australia
• Arrow-right #13 in Education globally

How to apply

Application process.

There are two selection rounds each year to the Master of Education (Research) for commencement in the next year. All applications must be submitted and completed by either the 18 April or 18 September in the previous year.

We recommend you submit your application at least four weeks before the closing dates, just in case any additional documentation is required.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission into the course, as entry to candidature is very competitive.

1. WRITE YOUR RESEARCH PROPOSAL

You must provide an extended research proposal with your application. Research proposals should be 3,000–4,000 words for the Master of Education (Research) degree. The list of references (bibliography) should not be counted toward the overall word count.

Your research proposal must succinctly address the following points under separate headings:

• Outline the proposed topic of your study and explain why it is important.
• State the specific aims of your study and outline some of your potential research questions.
• Briefly discuss the key academic concepts and theories informing your study.
• Provide a brief overview of the methodology you intend to use in your study and say why.
• Provide a case for why the Faculty of Education is the right research environment for your project. In doing so you should take into account the Faculty’s specific research strengths.
• Provide a case for why your prospective principal supervisor is a good fit for your project. In doing so you should be specific about your prospective supervisor’s expertise and what it can bring to your project. We strongly recommend engaging with some of your prospective supervisor’s publications before writing this section.
• If planning to conduct resource-intensive activities such as international fieldwork briefly outline the expected costs and how you aim to cover these.
• Bibliography: Provide a list of relevant references.

2 . Find a supervisor

Find a principal supervisor who will support your research proposal and application. Your supervisor must be a current staff member at the Faculty of Education.

We recommend that you search for a supervisor on the University’s  Find an Expert page, or visit our  current research projects page to find staff members working on research projects. Please attach your research proposal (or a short summary) and CV when contacting your potential supervisors via email.

You'll need to upload evidence of your intended principal supervisor’s support when submitting your application. This can be in email format and must include the intended supervisor’s agreement to supervise you should your application be successful.

Please note that all supervision arrangements are also subject to the approval of the Faculty of Education Selection Committee. Support of a prospective supervisor does not guarantee entry to the Faculty of Education’s research higher degree program.

3. Apply online

Read the application information and apply on the  Graduate Research website .

Don’t forget to provide your research proposal and evidence of your intended principal supervisors support when submitting your application. You will also need to supply a 100-word summary of your project in addition to your research proposal.

If you have any questions about how to complete or submit your application, please contact Graduate Research Admissions at  [email protected] .

• Scholarships

Prospective graduate research students will be automatically considered for scholarships as part of the graduate research degree application. Current graduate research students can apply for scholarships via their  Student Portal .

Further information:

• Financial support
• How are graduate research scholarships awarded?

Application outcome

All correspondence regarding your application will be by email. If your application is successful, you will receive an offer letter via email explaining how you can accept your place.

We endeavour to communicate application outcomes for all applicants within six weeks from the application closing dates.

• Faculty of Science
• Study with us

Graduate research in the Faculty of Science

Work with leading research groups and use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to tackle the world’s grand challenges. Explore our graduate research options and how you can get started with us.

Why research with us?

As a graduate researcher in the Faculty of Science, you’ll:

• Learn from inspiring supervisors
• Be part of exciting research projects
• Gain access to cutting-edge facilities
• Build strong peer relationships
• Enjoy an experience like no other.

We’ll also support your journey with scholarships that recognise your talent and allow you to pursue your passion. Read on to find out more.

(Earning my PhD) gave me a lot more confidence. It gave me a sense of achievement. It took a lot of effort, but it was worth it. Dr Cathy McAuley, PhD – Agricultural Sciences

Read Cathy's story

Graduate research scholarships

We don't offer a graduate research opportunity without making sure you'll have the financial support to take it.

All our scholarships include

• Over 140 scholarships to undertake PhD, MPhil or Masters by Research programs, valued at $34,400 per annum (full-time rate)
• Some of these scholarships will be joint projects with organisations like Agriculture Victoria Research and may be based within their excellent research facilities
• Fee waivers for approved international candidates and Research Training Program (RTP) fees offset for all domestic graduate researchers
• Over 20 Rowden White Scholarships, valued at $6,500, awarded to outstanding domestic and international candidates to top-up an awarded scholarship
• Science Abroad Travelling Scholarships , valued at up to $2,000, to current graduate researchers intending to undertake travel to attend conferences, field work, etc.

Scholarships at science

Getting started in graduate research

Step 1: work out what you'd like to research.

Science at Melbourne is one of the broadest faculties of science in the country, and there is sure to be a researcher, group or project that matches your passion. There are two great ways to find your passion and a supervisor or group to help you reach it:

Option A: Explore our schools' research areas

There are a wide-range of projects and teams across our Faculty's seven schools – visit our school websites to explore our breadth and depth of research and to learn about the projects and supervisors you could join.

• Melbourne Veterinary School
• School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences
• School of BioSciences
• School of Chemistry
• School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
• School of Mathematics and Statistics
• School of Physics

Option B: Find a research project

The University's Graduate Research Opportunity Tool is a directory of PhD and Masters by Research projects – search by course, field of research or location to find a research project that you're excited to join.

Explore research opportunities

Step 2: Confirm your eligibility

To be eligible for a research higher degree, applicants must have a four-year honours degree, or equivalent, with a minimum overall average of 75%. Applicants who do not have a four-year honours degree must demonstrate they have conducted a research project equivalent to 25% of a year's full-time study at fourth-year, or masters, level.

Please also take a look at the specific entry requirements of our higher degrees.

Explore graduate research degrees in science

Step 3: Get in touch with us to discuss your interest

Now that you know what you want to research, and with who, and you know you're eligible for a graduate research degree – it's time to get in contact. Send a prospective supervisor a message on their Find an Expert profile and explain what you'd like to do.

Find an Expert

Need advice or help getting started?

We welcome general inquiries from graduates interested in undertaking postgraduate study – follow the link below to contact the people you need.

Research Proposal Writing for Fine Arts and Music

• Research Project Proposals

Where to start?

Researcher@library, 23 research things, more resources.

• Talk to a Librarian
• Research in the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music Learn more about many of the research areas at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music.
• Book a research consultation Book a one-to-one consultation with a librarian. Strongly recommended for new graduate researchers. Helpful whatever your stage or level.
• Classes and workshops for graduate researchers Join classes on reference management, discipline-specific workshops, and more.

Resources and services to support you with many aspects of your research, including:

• Finding information
• Grant support
• Data management and preservation. Including  Managing Data @ Melbourne

23 Research Things is  a series of online learning programs showcasing a range of digital tools that support research activity. 

• 2023 23 Research Things
• 2020 23 Research Things 
• 2017 23 Research Things
• 2014 23 Research Things (the original program)

Inter-Library Loans and Document Delivery For publications that the University of Melbourne Library cannot supply.

• Students and staff members may request  interlibrary loans  of books, journal articles, music scores, theses, and more.
• The  CAVAL reciprocal borrowing scheme  with other Victorian universities can also assist.
• Interstate students can access collections through  University Libraries of Australia and New Zealand (ULANZ)

Research data management Tools and modules to help you set up your data management plan.

Research ethics and integrity Detailing codes of conduct required for research ethics, integrity and compliance. SAGE Research Methods Also known as SRMO. Search by keywords or use the visual interface in the  SRMO Methods Map . Your research publications

• Elements is the key interface for University of Melbourne staff to provide details of and claim research publications. It allows the deposit of an appropriate version of publication to meet open access funder mandates, and to be available for discovery in the Open Access repository through Minerva Access .
• The Faculty Research Office can offer support, particularly with documenting non-traditional research outputs
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• URL: https://unimelb.libguides.com/proposalwritingcreativearts

Graduate Research Hub

• Preparing my thesis
• Writing my thesis

Getting started on your thesis

The approach to writing will vary by discipline. The best way to make sure you are doing the right thing is to talk to your supervisors, plan the structure of your thesis and start writing early and regularly.

In creative arts disciplines where your thesis may take the form of creative works and a dissertation, you should also discuss the form and presentation of your thesis with your supervisor, to ensure that it is presented as a cohesive whole. You can refer to the thesis with creative works page for further information on formatting , weighting and the examination process for creative works.

Thesis formats, preface and word limits

The rules governing thesis content, language and word limits are contained in the Graduate Research Training Policy while the formatting and preface requirements for theses, compilations and creative works are provided in the Preparation of Graduate Research Theses Rules . You can also refer to the sample thesis title page .

If your thesis includes some of your publications, or material extracted from some of your publications, format requirements are explained under Including your published material in your thesis .

The University repository, Minerva Access , stores completed theses and is a good resource for viewing how others have presented their work. Just browse by types and choose Masters research thesis, PhD thesis or Doctorate .

You will need to add an Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) to your thesis title page. Information on the ORCID and how to apply for one is available from the University Library

If your thesis includes third party copyright material, the Preparation of Graduate Research Theses Rules requires you to include a list of the material and whether or not you have gained permission from the copyright owners to make this material publicly available as part of your thesis. When creating the list, please use the Template for Listing Third Party Copyright Material . For further information on copyright and dealing with the copyright of others, see Copyright & Research .

Check the Handbook entry for your course for specific word limits and, where applicable, for the proportion of the thesis to be presented as a creative work.

The maximum word limit for theses (including footnotes but excluding tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices) are:

• 50 000 words for Masters theses
• 100 000 words for a PhD or doctoral thesis.

You should aim to write a thesis shorter than the maximum allowed, for example 40 000 for a Masters thesis or 80 000 words for a PhD. Any thesis that exceeds the maximum limit requires permission to proceed to examination, which must be sought via the Graduate Research Examinations Office prior to submission.

It may have been necessary for you to significantly alter your research plan, due the COVID-19 pandemic or other major disruption. In some cases, this may mean that the thesis you submit is not typical for your discipline. In your thesis, you should discuss any methodological changes you have made and explain how the changes arose because of the disruptions. Theses usually also include discussion of possible future research; you may wish to outline research that could be done once conditions change. Your discussion in the thesis of COVID-19 or other impacts will guide the examiners’ understanding of the reported work and the environment in which it was undertaken.

Acknowledging COVID-19 disruptions in your thesis

This guide discusses how to explain the impact of COVID-19 disruptions in your thesis. You should consult with your supervisors to decide what approach suits your situation best.

What to include or exclude

When you include statements within your PhD, other than in the Acknowledgements, they must be objective and within the scope of matters that examiners consider. You can include statements about the impact of COVID-19 or other significant external disruptions on matters such as the scope of the thesis; experimental design; or access to resources including facilities, collections, cohorts of experimental subjects, fieldwork, laboratories, and performance spaces. Note this list is indicative only. If in doubt, contact your supervisor or advisory committee chair about other relevant inclusions.

It is not appropriate to include emotional statements, how your experience compared to others (examination is not competitive), nor impacts such as the need to work remotely, or personal statements on mental or physical health, family, finances, nor the behaviour or availability of supervisors. Examiners are not asked to consider these matters.

While these factors may have had a profound impact on many candidates during the disruptions, there is no concept of ‘special consideration’ in examination of theses. Challenges to candidature are expected to be managed prior to submission and are not considered by examiners. For example, if access to supervisors was a difficulty, alternative arrangements should have been made. Examiners are not asked to make allowance for such factors.

Major changes to the project

If the disruptions led to significant changes to your project, you could address this in a single location.

For example, you might include a section that addresses the impact that the disruptions had on the entire thesis, or on multiple chapters within the thesis in a systematic and explicit way.

The introduction is where candidates lay out the thesis for examiners and so provides an opportunity to present objective statements regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the thesis. If the disruptions meant that different methodologies were pursued in different parts of the thesis, the introduction is a good place to explain why in a cohesive way.

Alternatively, statements can be added to the preface, to provide context to the work as a whole.

A final conclusions chapter is used to summarise the work and outline future research opportunities. If the disruption prevented you from undertaking particular research activities, you can use this section to highlight these gaps in the study and how they might be addressed.

Carefully explaining how the methodology was shaped by the disruption demonstrates your capacity to think beyond the PhD and to adapt to changing conditions. It can show that you are creative, flexible, and exploratory as a problem-solver.

The skills expected of a strong candidate include an ability to formulate a viable research question and to analyse information critically within and across a changing disciplinary environment.

You have the opportunity to demonstrate these attributes, even if the investigative component of the research was impeded. Remember that the core goal is research training, not the achievement of specific research outcomes.

Impact on specific chapters

If the disruptions impacted just one or two chapters of your thesis, they still need to stand alone as quality research.

One option is to explain the original design and how it was revised, either in the chapter introduction or in the section where it best fits in your narrative. It is important to explain to the examiners why you chose that methodology, particularly if it is unusual for your discipline. For example, the disruption may have affected the number or type of interviews that were conducted or have forced a change from experimental work to computational modelling.

Again, writing a focused discussion of the impact of the disruptions on a specific piece of work is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the qualities and skills that an examiner seeks in a strong candidate.

Impact that was not specific

You may wish to note that your thesis was completed during COVID-19 disruptions, even if there was no specific identifiable impact on the scope of the thesis or the project design. The appropriate location for this note is in the acknowledgements section because it is not examined. Remember that although this is the section where you might offer gratitude for family, friends, supervisors, inspirations, and supports; not every examiner will read the acknowledgements.

Editing my thesis

Your thesis must be your own work, and you must clearly understand your role as well as the roles of your supervisors and others throughout the editorial process.

The  Graduate Research Training Policy limits the editing of theses by others to that permitted in the current Guidelines for Editing Research Theses .

As editorial intervention (other than by your supervisors) should be restricted to copyediting and proofreading, as covered on page two of the Guidelines for Editing Research Theses , it is important that you understand the types of editing as explained on the Institute of Professional Editors Limited (IPEd) website.

The University does not maintain a list of editors. If you would like help finding a suitable editor, the Institute of Professional Editors Limited (IPEd) has a register of accredited editors.

If your thesis has had the benefit of editorial advice, in any form, you must provide the name of the editor or company providing the service and a brief description of the service rendered, in terms of the Standards, in the preface of your thesis.

Registering my intention to submit

Prior to submission, or prior to your performance or exhibition of a creative component of your thesis, register your intention to submit by logging into the Thesis Examination System (TES). About 2-months prior to your submission is the ideal time for this. Your estimated submission date, or your thesis submission date, must not exceed your maximum submission date, i.e. your expected thesis submission date as listed on the Graduate Research Details page of my.unimelb .

Registering your intention to submit begins the process of the selection of examiners. You will need to provide a brief (80-word) overview of your research question, methods and results which will be sent to potential examiners. If you are submitting a thesis with creative work, include the weighting of the proportion of the written dissertation and creative component/s. You will also be given the opportunity to name up to two people that you consider to be unsuitable examiners, along with substantiated reasons. You are encouraged to create and enter an ORCID .

Preparing to submit your thesis soon? Download our Thesis Submission Checklist to assist you.

More information

Read the  FAQs on using the Thesis Examination System

You must be admitted to the relevant graduate research degree in order to submit your thesis. If your candidature is suspended, cancelled or terminated and you wish to submit, you must first  apply for reinstatement and readmission . Before applying for readmission you should contact your supervisor or head of department to discuss your thesis. If your supervisor is no longer available please contact  the  graduate research team for your faculty , or the faculty nearest in discipline to your former department.

Resources and workshops to help you write

• Writing skills
• Publication, open access and copyright
• Library skills for researchers
• Systems and tech tools including - Nvivo, LabArchives, File Management 101, Producing excellent graphs and sessions for a range of reference management software
• Communication skills and presentation skills workshops including - Oral presentations, Working with people and managing complex relationships and Working with a supervisor
• Upcoming workshops offered by Research@Library including digital skills webinars.
• Melbourne talks - a free program for international graduate researchers to the University of Melbourne delivered by the Student Peer Leader Network in partnership with Academic Skills.
• The University’s Library Guides provide a resource of library research support information on research, reading and writing skills
• We recommend you watch the series of eight short videos on Getting Started with Library Research
• The Eastern Resource Centre Library will be regularly updated to include information on when they are hosting structured social writing sessions known as ‘shut up and write’ and library information sessions
• Connect to the  Thesis Writers’ Community on LMS. Established by Academic Skills, the Community provides information and support through the writing process for graduate researchers
• You can join GSA’s regular Shut Up & Write sessions and Shut Up & Write-a-Thons
• Book an adviser for individual appointments to help with your thesis
• Your graduate school may have writing groups and they may offer 'boot camps' for an intensive writing effort. GSA also runs regular thesis bootcamps .
• You may also find it helpful to look at theses from past candidates in your field.  You can use the Browse “Communities and Collections” function in the University's institutional publications repository,  Minerva Access to find the “Theses” collection for your faculty or department (use the “+” symbol to expand the list of communities available).  You can also use the search function to find theses with relevant keywords.
• Annual graduate research competitions organised by the University such as the Three minute thesis (3MT®) competition and  Visualise your thesis competition 

Please note: These programs and workshops are subject to change, based on bookings and demand.

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Preparing a research proposal

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The proposal is a key part of the process where applicants must demonstrate the value of their research and their suitability for program selection.

All applicants for a postgraduate research program at RMIT University should have a proposed research topic that is aligned with at least one of RMIT's identified  research strengths . Your discussion with the academic staff in your proposed school will assist you to identify whether your research proposal will be an appropriate fit for RMIT's research strengths.

Your proposal should be a two to five page overview of your research divided under the following headings:

• Title and topic
• Research questions you plan to investigate in the context of existing research/literature in the area
• Significance and impact of the research
• Methodology/research tasks required to undertake the research
• Any particular needs, if applicable (e.g. resources, facilities, fieldwork or equipment that are necessary for your proposed research program).

A good way to start your proposal is to think about your potential audience.

• Who is your academic audience and how might this work affect their understanding of the field?
• Is there an audience beyond academics, such as practitioners or the general public, who might care about your work? Why should they care?

In most cases it is sufficient to demonstrate that there is academic interest, but identifying the potential broader interest in your findings can be a way to help you find the most relevant and pressing problems.

Unsuccessful proposals tend to suffer from a number of common problems. The most common is that the researcher is not really asking a genuine research question, but seeking supporting evidence for a preconceived idea. Ask yourself: are you seeking new knowledge or trying to prove something you think you know?

Sometimes, especially in creative practice based research questions do not easily present themselves. Some research is ’iterative’: the researcher must test their assumptions through field work or creative project work before the questions come into focus. In these cases it is important to focus on what your research has to offer others beyond your own personal and professional development.

The research proposal can be a difficult document to write. If you are already in contact with potential supervisors they may read over early drafts and provide advice.

These books might also be helpful in understanding research degrees and how to write a research proposal:

• Evans and Gruba (2002),  How to write a better thesis , Melbourne University Press.
• Denholm and Evans (ed) (2006),  Doctorates Downunder , ACER Press.
• Booth, Colomb and Williams (2003),  The craft of research , University of Chicago Press.
• Dunleavy, P (2003),  Authoring a PhD , Palgrave Macmillan.
• Rugg and Petre (2004),  The unwritten rules of PhD research , Open University Press.

Some programs require more lengthy proposals with additional elements or additional selection tasks, such as the presentation of a portfolio. These are detailed in  Program Overviews .

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

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Making merry: how we brought Melbourne’s Merri Creek back from pollution, neglect and weeds

Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, The University of Melbourne

Disclosure statement

Judy Bush is the recipient of an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (2024-2026). Judy is a life member of Friends of Merri Creek and has previously been employed by Merri Creek Management Committee.

University of Melbourne provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU.

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I met with a friend for a walk beside Merri Creek, in inner Melbourne. She had lived in the area for a few years, and as we walked beside the creek, past trees, native grasses, a small wetland echoing with frog calls, I talked about how it had looked before we started the site’s restoration around 25 years ago. She stopped in her tracks, astonished. “But I thought it had always been like this!” she said.

As we grapple with bad environmental news every day, we need to tell stories of ecological restoration – to speak of what’s possible, and also what’s not.

Merri Creek is not particularly long – just 70km. But because it threads through Australia’s largest city, linking the ecosystems of the Great Dividing Range with those of Port Philip Bay, it provides habitat of regional significance . The creek’s headwaters lie in the Great Dividing Range near Wallan. It flows through Melbourne’s northern suburbs to join Birrarung/Yarra River just upstream from Dights Falls in the inner city. Its waters flow between rocky escarpment walls, through basalt plains clothed in native grasslands, and across a rocky creek bed.

From fishing grounds to industrial sewer

This is Wurundjeri Country. The region’s Traditional Custodians, the Wurundjeri , have cared for this Country for millennia, and their Custodianship continues. At the time of colonisation, the waterway was rich with biodiversity – woodlands, grasslands, billabongs and wetlands. The landscape was a cultural artefact, created and maintained by burning, digging, tending and harvesting.

Colonisation saw displacement, dispossession and disruption to Wurundjeri methods. As Melbourne grew, the creek’s fate worsened . Factories along its path dumped waste directly into its waters, while the sealed surfaces of the city caused flash flooding and washed litter into the water.

By the 1970s, the creek was weed-infested, polluted and threatened with further destruction from proposals to extend freeways and build culverts. Plans to connect the Hume Highway to the Eastern Freeway at Dights Falls would have completely obliterated the creek.

The beginning of restoration

It was these proposals that led people and communities to seek first to protect and then to restore the creek .

At first, these efforts were small. Friends groups and local citizen groups formed along the creek. In 1976, they came together with eight local councils to form the Merri Creek Coordinating Committee.

As interest and activity along the creek grew, the individual friends groups came together in 1989 to form Friends of Merri Creek , while the coordinating committee resolved to establish the Merri Creek Management Committee as an incorporated association of councils, the Friends of Merri Creek, Melbourne Water and the Victorian Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

This coordinated approach gave the committee more resources, allowing it to employ a revegetation team and focus on ecological restoration. This was pioneering work in Australia.

The team worked to remove weeds such as prickly pear, African boxthorn, Chilean needle grass and serrated tussock, replacing them with tubestock grown from locally collected seeds and cuttings of native grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and trees.

Some areas along the creek required more drastic action, such as earthworks to restore the creek bank’s profile where rubbish dumping and building waste had destroyed the creek’s form.

Volunteers and workers worked to restore wetlands away from the main channel to create habitat for pollution-sensitive frogs and aquatic insects such as damselflies. These creatures cannot survive the still-polluted water of Merri Creek’s main channel.

Much restoration work relied on community involvement, with planting days organised up and down the creek so local residents could contribute to its restoration.

Today, the members of the committee are the six local governments covering its catchment, Friends of Merri Creek and the Wallan Environment Group .

Why has this partnership endured?

Efforts to restore Merri Creek have been largely successful – and have gone the distance . Why? There are several important reasons, as I have explored in my research .

For one, the management committee and the friends groups work in partnership, and often take complementary roles in protecting and advocating for the creek.

As volunteers, the Friends of Merri Creek take an active and vocal role in organising on-ground volunteer activities, monitoring biodiversity to contribute to citizen science efforts and acting politically by advocating and writing submissions to planning and decision-making processes.

As an incorporated association, Merri Creek Management Committee employs skilled professionals such as the revegetation team, works with governments and agencies, and undertakes strategic planning and research.

Both the committee and the Friends have built links with the Wurundjeri’s Narrap natural resources team , as part of efforts to centre care for Country . They have both worked to build local connections and a sense of stewardship for communities near the creek, through community organising and collective action such as on-ground activities, planning and advocacy.

Read more: Many urban waterways were once waste dumps. Restoration efforts have made great strides – but there's more to do to bring nature back

The result is palpable. If you go for a walk along Merri Creek these days, it’s hard to reconcile the reality now with its former life as an industrial sewer.

Frogs, birds, snakes, eels and insects are returning to the creek and the newly created wetlands. It’s even possible to glimpse a swamp wallaby , 5km from the heart of Melbourne. Locals show their love of the creek through painting, poetry and daily visits .

Job done? Not quite. There are always threats, ranging from design and construction of new suburbs in the creek’s northern reaches to inner-suburban dense development close to its banks. Floods bring litter and weed seeds directly into the creek’s environment. And industrial pollution flowing down drains or illegal clearing of vegetation require us to maintain active stewardship. Pollution in the creek’s sediments, including heavy metals, means true restoration is a long-term endeavour.

Merri Creek is a peaceful place, an exciting place, a meditative place, a thriving place, a cultural place connecting to Wurundjeri custodianship and continuing care for Country, a place full of life, wonder and joy.

This story is part of Good Green News, a new series on community efforts to restore nature. Read the other stories here .

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Call for Research Proposals

The TIAA Institute & Boettner/Pension Research Council (PRC) Partnership announces a Call for Research Proposals on Retirement and Longevity, Behavioral Finance, and Insurance

Proposals due June 14, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EST

The TIAA Institute is partnering with the Wharton School’s Boettner Center/Pension Research Council at the University of Pennsylvania to solicit research proposals focused on later life  retirement income outcomes, health care dimensions of retirement, psycho-socio dimensions of retirement, and Demographic comparisons of retirement readiness and outcomes . We have a strong interest in the following research topics, but we also welcome proposals on other topics relevant to any of the three aforementioned thematic areas:

Retirement Income and Outcomes

• The role of guaranteed income, fixed and variable annuities
• Optimal portfolio construction to generate retirement income
• Consumption differences between early and later retirement years
• Social Security claiming and retirement timing
• Anticipated impacts of Social Security trust fund depletion on retirement income

Health Care Dimensions of Retirement

• Mental health and cognitive decline in retirement
• Projected impacts of health care and medical innovations on longevity and retirement
• Product innovation in long-term care insurance

Psycho-social dimensions of retirement

• Behavioral and social dimensions of labor supply at older ages
• Impact of advice on retirement decision making
• Relationship between psycho-social health, physical health, and financial security
• Psycho-socio aspects across retirement stages

Demographic comparisons of retirement readiness and outcomes

• Potential generational impacts of potential Social Security reforms
• New developments in estate planning, bequests, and inheritance
• Differences in employment and consumption patterns during retirement
• Racial, ethnicity, and cultural differences in preparing for and moving through retirement

Eligibility:  Any faculty member with an active appointment at a U.S. college or university is eligible to submit a proposal, as are researchers with appointments at U.S. public policy research organizations. Junior faculty members are encouraged to apply and special consideration will be given to their applications.  Final funding decisions will be contingent upon continued funding from TIAA.

Anticipated Outcomes:

• Innovative research that informs product and service development in the retirement industry, as well as public policy;
• Strong thought leadership at dissemination events highlighting findings; and
• Encouraging new researchers to join the retirement research arena.

The proposal deadline is June 14, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EST.

How to Apply:  Please submit the proposal materials detailed below as  a single integrated file in an e-mail attachment to : Sandra Scutt,  [email protected]

In the subject line, please write your last name and PRC/TIAA 2024-25 Proposal

Instructions for preparation of your proposal file are as follows:

1) Proposals should follow NIH-style formats which can be found at: ( http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html )

• Face Page , NIH-style:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/fp1.pdf
• Abstract  (150 words)
• Proposal Narrative  (3-5 pages):
• Title of proposal, name of investigator(s) along with full contact information
• Research Question(s)
• Project Motivation and Goals
• Research Plan/Methodology/Analytical Framework
• Data sources
• Potential Conclusions and Policy Implications

4)  Targeted Timeline  for Deliverables (see below)

5)  List of References  cited in the Proposal

6)  PI(s) Bio-sketch , NIH-style:  https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm

7)  Proposed Budget and Budget Justification , NIH-style:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/fp4.pdf

Note : This grant program will support only the direct costs of research and does not fund overhead or indirect costs. A maximum of $85,000 will be allocated per selected proposal.  Proposals must include a detailed and complete budget, separately itemizing costs for at least the following expenses:

• Personnel, including salary and benefits for the principal investigator and any co-investigators or research assistants (each separately itemized);
• Travel for research-related purposes;
• Equipment, materials, and other expenses, including itemized costs of (if any) and justification for, data, postage, printing, or other incidentals.

6)  A 3-page resume /C.V. for primary investigator(s)

Deliverables:

• All deliverables must be submitted in Word and all tables/figures in Excel (e.g., no LaTex or pdf files).
• Interim and Final Reports on research and financials (see Targeted Timeline).
• Working Paper: The working paper from the project must be suitable for posting as a TIAA Institute  Research Dialogue  on the TIAA Institute’s web site and on the Boettner Center/PRC’s website.

Non-Technical Report and Executive Summary  outlining the main findings and implications of the research. The non-technical report should be 1,500-3,000 words in length, and the executive summary approximately 300 words. The report should be suitable for posting as a TIAA Institute  Trends and Issues  note. These should not be simple copy-paste excerpts from the Working Paper but should be free-standing.

• Up to two oral presentations of the research may result if requested by the TIAA Institute. Funding for any necessary travel to such meetings will be provided by the TIAA Institute.

Targeted Timeline:

• Research to be conducted from July 8, 2024, through September 5, 2025.
• Interim Report: Interim progress and financial report to be submitted January 15, 2025.
• Final Report: Final narrative and financial reports to be submitted September 27, 2025.
• Possible Workshops/Convenings Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026.

Recipients of a TIAA Institute/Boettner award will be expected to comply with the following conditions:

1) For this project, the PI(s) must obtain IRB approval if human subjects are to be used, take human subject certification training (CITI) if necessary along with sponsor approvals, as required by their institution (e.g., foreign clearance). If human subjects are used, a copy of the IRB letter of approval or exemption must be submitted to the PRC/Boettner Center prior to project funding release.

2) PI’s are required to acknowledge grant support received for this research on all papers and presentations stemming from research conducted with this financing. Please use the statement below on all papers resulting from this funding:

“The project described received funding from the TIAA Institute and the Wharton School’s Pension Research Council/Boettner Center. The content is solely the responsibility of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent official views of the above-named institutions.”

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May 6, 2024 - Office for Research Administration

Nsf proposal & award policies & procedures guide (pappg) updates effective may 20, 2024.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently announced changes to the NSF PAPPG (NSF 24-1), applicable to any proposal submitted or due on or after May 20, 2024  Please visit NSF's website for a detailed Summary of Changes to the PAPPG (NSF 24-1) . Significant changes include but are not limited to:

  Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions. 

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May 2, 2024

Purdue University chosen by Indiana Office of Energy Development for small modular nuclear reactor study

A Purdue University-led team was selected by the Indiana Office of Energy Development as the successful respondent to a request for proposals for a study to research small modular nuclear reactor technology and the potential impacts should the technology be deployed in Indiana. (Purdue University photo/Kelsey Lefever)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University has been selected by the Indiana Office of Energy Development (IOED) to research small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) technology and analyze the potential impacts should the technology be deployed in Indiana. This partnership comes following Purdue’s selection as the successful respondent to IOED’s Request for Proposals for an Indiana-focused SMR study. 

“The energy transition is ongoing and will be for decades to come. In Indiana, we’ve added a lot of tools to our toolbox to help better manage the energy transition, but the conversations must continue,” said Ryan Hadley, executive director, Indiana Office of Energy Development. “This SMR study is reflective of a proactive spirit to learn more about Indiana’s possible energy future. We are eager to learn more from this opportunity.”

The SMR study aligns with the IOED’s mission to provide comprehensive energy planning and policy development for Indiana that is affordable, stable, reliable and inclusive of a diverse and balanced generation mix. 

  “As a state and national leader in nuclear engineering education and research, along with our proven track record in innovation and energy generation, we are uniquely positioned to work with the Office of Energy Development on this exciting endeavor,” said Dr. Seungjin Kim, the Capt. James F. McCarthy, Jr. and Cheryl E. McCarthy Head of the School of Nuclear Engineering at Purdue University, who is leading the study as the principal investigator (PI). “We carefully assembled a project team that consists of experts from Purdue University as well as Argonne National Laboratory, Energy Systems Network and Ivy Tech Community College.”

The assembled team, in coordination with the IOED, will perform an extensive study on topics related to SMR technology:

• Current status of SMR technology
• State and local economic impact
• Workforce development and employment
• Safety, environmental impact and nuclear waste, siting considerations
• Community engagement needs and best practices

Interest in SMR technology in Indiana has grown in recent years. The Indiana General Assembly has passed legislation related to SMR technology development ( IC 8-1-8.5-12.1 ), and Purdue and Duke Energy published an interim report related to their ongoing study investigating the feasibility of using advanced nuclear energy to meet the West Lafayette campus community’s long-term energy needs. Through collaboration with some of the leading experts in advanced nuclear technology in both the public and private sector, Purdue and Duke Energy identified a number of findings and recommended next steps in the interim report, which are succinctly summarized in a two-page fact sheet .

“Purdue began seriously researching the practical application of small modular nuclear technology with Duke Energy in 2022 when we kicked off our joint feasibility study,” said Ryan Gallagher, associate vice president of Purdue Facilities Operations and Environmental Health and Safety and a co-PI for the project. “Since then, we have continued to expand our knowledge on topics including technology development, approval and implementation timelines, siting considerations and other factors that position us well to help the state evaluate the potential benefits SMRs could bring to Indiana.”

Work on the SMR study began earlier this year and will be completed by Oct. 31, 2024.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research institution demonstrating excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities and with two colleges in the top four in the United States, Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, including nearly 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 13 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the new Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and Purdue Computes — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives .

Media Contact: Tim Doty, [email protected] . 

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• Research Proposal

Research Proposal (EDUC90253)

Graduate coursework Points: 12.5 Online

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The student will prepare under supervision a thesis proposal, providing a clear indication of the nature and purpose of the research to be undertaken in the thesis. The proposal should contain:

• a clear statement of the purpose of the research and the research question(s) being investigated;
• a justification of why the chosen topic is a worthwhile one to research;
• a substantial overview and critical discussion of research already done in the area available in the research literature;
• a critical discussion of the research methodology proposed, showing its appropriateness for answering the research question(s); and
• an outline of the research design and the timeline for implementing it.

Intended learning outcomes

Students will extend their capacity to evaluate research literature in educational psychology in order to make informed decisions about the conduct of independent enquiries in psychology and education.

Generic skills

• Develop literature review skills
• Develop an evidence-based argument

Last updated: 10 February 2024