What topics will this proposal template work for?

The template is flexible enough to use across most fields of study and/or research topics. While it closely reflects a typical research proposal within the social sciences, it can be tailored to fit pretty much any research topic. You may just need to add a section or two, depending on your university’s requirements.

Can this template be used for research proposals that are not for a dissertation or thesis?

Yes, it can be used for research projects or even research grants. If you need to produce a proposal for a research grant, you’ll need to cover the same content. However, you will need to go into more detail regarding your budget, funding requirements and resource requirements.

How long should my research proposal be?

This varies depending on the university, the degree and the level of study (i.e. undergrad, Masters, PhD). As a rough guide, a research proposal at Masters-level generally ranges between 2000-3000 words, while a PhD-level proposal can range from 5000-8000 words. It’s best to check with your university what their requirements are before you start writing your proposal.

How long should each section of my research proposal be?

There’s no set formula or word count allocation for this. However, generally speaking, the introduction and background section (which includes the research problem), along with the literature review section will make up the bulk of your word count in a research proposal.

Do I need to provide a full literature review in my research proposal?

Generally, you don’t need to provide an extensive, in-depth literature review at the proposal stage. However, you need to show that you are familiar with the key literature in your research area and that you have identified a clear research gap. That said, requirements vary between universities and degrees, so check with your university what level of depth they expect from you at this stage of the research.

Do I need a detailed methodology for my research proposal?

Generally speaking, you don’t need to outline every detail of your research design and methodology at the proposal stage. However, you do need to show that you have a decent understanding of what methodology you will apply, what data you’ll collect, how you’ll collect it and how you’ll analyse it. So, don’t cut corners here – make sure you have a firm understanding of whichever methodology you plan to use before you propose a design. Within the research proposal template you will find more info about what you need to cover.

Can I share this research proposal template with my friends?

Yes, you’re welcome to share the Grad Coach research proposal template as you wish. If you want to post about it on your blog or social media profiles, please reference this page.

I’m lost. Where can I get help with my research proposal?

Within the research proposal template, you will find clear explanations of what needs to go into each section, as well as links to additional resources. If you still need help with your research proposal, you’re welcome to consider our dissertation and thesis coaching services.

Free Download 📥

Research Proposal Template

Starting out on your research proposal and not sure how to structure it, or how to craft a smooth-flowing document? Our free proposal template will help you fast-track your writing and improve your chances of a speedy approval.

What’s Included In The Proposal Template

Grad Coach’s free dissertation/thesis proposal template covers the core essential ingredients for a strong proposal. It includes clear explanations of what you need to address in each section, as well as straightforward examples and links to further resources.

The research proposal template covers the following core elements:

Introduction & background (including the research problem)
Literature review
Research design/methodology
Project plan, resource requirements and risk management
References
Appendix

The cleanly-formatted Word document is fully editable, so you can use it for your proposal, copy over the contents to a fresh document, or convert to LaTeX.

Download The Research Proposal Template (FREE)

PS – you can also download our dissertation/thesis chapter templates here.

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

How To Write A Research Proposal

The template provides step-by-step guidance for each section of your research proposal, but if you’d like to learn more about how to write up a high-quality research proposal for your dissertation or thesis, check out the rest of our free proposal-related resources:

If you’d prefer 1-on-1 support with your research proposal, have a look at our private coaching service, where we hold your hand through the research process, step by step.

Psst… there’s more (for free)

This post is part of our dissertation mini-course, which covers everything you need to get started with your dissertation, thesis or research project.

Check out the free course

27 Comments

Abdico on September 23, 2020 at 7:55 am

Very interesting and guiding coach. Am very attracted by their skill of coaching
Reply
- Ntlahla Mapekula on July 6, 2021 at 9:08 am
  
  Wow! very impressive and informative, I can see clearly now and I think I am ready to start.
  Reply
Pooja on October 20, 2020 at 10:03 am

Guided points mentioned in the article. It covers more of what is needed for research papers.
Reply
- Umar Fernando on September 30, 2022 at 6:09 pm
  
  Amazing content. Easy to understand, clear, precise and to the point. Research was a scary topic for me but after watching these videos, my confidence level has certainly increased.
  Reply
Mohammed Al Maskari on November 15, 2020 at 4:42 pm

Thank you very useful guiding will recommend to my friends
Reply
Toni on December 2, 2020 at 3:47 am

nice and easy to understand, thank you
Reply
- Derek Jansen on January 4, 2021 at 9:28 am
  
  Thanks, Toni. Best of luck with your research proposal.
  Reply
  - Amru Miftah on November 8, 2022 at 1:06 pm
    
    Thank you so mauch for helping me by giving so many informato n
    Reply
- Antonina on July 23, 2023 at 9:23 pm
  
  This is a good addition!
  Reply
YACINE MEBCHICHE on January 23, 2021 at 2:15 am

Thanks too much for your help.
Reply
David on January 25, 2021 at 4:52 pm

If only universities explained it so simple. Thank You, sending love from South Africa
Reply
- Numo on March 23, 2021 at 3:06 am
  
  I so much appreciate your help, very useful.
  Reply
- Izz Hamza on November 6, 2022 at 5:42 pm
  
  Fantastic, I like it so much
  Reply
Dhammika on February 21, 2021 at 10:15 am

Clear and simple. Thanks, coach!
Reply
Hassan Shefiu Adeola on February 27, 2021 at 4:22 pm

The information is found useful thank you
Reply
olive on March 3, 2021 at 1:16 pm

Thank so much ! It is very useful…
Reply
Tayo on June 14, 2021 at 5:43 am

I need help writing my research proposal
Reply
- Xoli on October 29, 2021 at 7:09 am
  
  I need help regarding this
  Reply
  - Grace on January 13, 2023 at 12:43 am
    
    I need help to start writing my research proposal
    Reply
Melakeselam Dimetros Gebrehanna on October 6, 2021 at 11:19 am

Thanks

For your help. I wish I could help in the future
Reply
Mohammed Ibrahim Anyass on November 7, 2021 at 12:12 am

Even though I haven’t started writing my dissertation, the understanding I have gathered from grad coach is enormous and definitely will make it so easy for me when I start to work on it.
Reply
chikomola Moreen on December 13, 2021 at 7:40 pm

thank so much I have benefit alot
Reply
Sweden Shorai Chiruka on December 25, 2021 at 3:53 pm

Thank you so much for this informative piece. I feel ready to start writing my PhD proposal now. It is good information if universities explain it this simple.
Reply
Ben on December 27, 2021 at 6:36 am

I need help on how to structure my advance research proposal portfolio.
Reply
Agartu on June 30, 2022 at 3:06 am

What is the difference between article writing for PhD dissertation
Reply
B. M on July 12, 2022 at 1:08 am

I’m just starting to watch the videos. The first video has been super helpful.

thank you
Reply
khan sher khan on March 30, 2023 at 10:38 pm

you have research proposal
Reply