A key word that underpins much of proposal writing is balance. For example, it’s necessary to find the right balance between providing too many details (which can take up valuable space and overwhelm the reader) and not enough information (the reviewer is unable to determine if the idea is feasible or if the PI is credible). The same thing can be said for the time it takes to work on a proposal, which is the seventh myth in this myth-busting series.
As with most things in life, the truth is somewhere in the middle, and I would recommend steering a middle course between these myths. Don’t expect to go from a blank page to a final draft in a matter of days or weeks, but, at the same time, don’t stretch the process out indefinitely. The former technique just adds unnecessary stress, while the latter means your project is likely no longer novel or timely.
However, writing a proposal—especially when you’re just starting out—can take far more time than you might think.
In particular, proposal creation should be viewed as a process, with a number of steps you need to consider if you want to give your project the best chance of success. Carrying out this process requires two equally important actions.
First, decide when you would like to submit and work backwards to figure out what needs to be done when. For example, can you line up colleagues to provide feedback a month or two before your intended submission date? Having an internal deadline can help you stay focused throughout the process.
Second—and perhaps the most challenging part of developing any proposal—you must ringfence time in your diary and defend it at all costs. Consistently working on your proposal for 3-5 hours a week with occasional breaks should allow you to produce a first draft in 6-9 months, depending on the amount of preliminary research you need to do.
While the amount of time to write a proposal can vary, there is absolutely no debate about the best time to get out your calendar and identify when you’re going to start: right now.