# Proposal readiness checklist

Use this checklist before submitting a proposal or asking an industry partner to review one.

## The one-minute test

A reviewer should be able to answer these questions immediately:

- What problem are we solving?
- Why does it matter to the partner or community?
- What will the team build, measure, or learn?
- What will exist at the end of the funding period?
- How much support is requested and why?

## Required content

- A specific, descriptive title.
- A short abstract that stands on its own.
- A problem statement grounded in a real need.
- Deliverables that can be demonstrated or evaluated.
- A feasible timeline with clear milestones.
- A named faculty lead and student roles.
- A budget tied to the work, not a generic amount.
- A plan for sharing results at IAP meetings.

## Final pass

- Remove unexplained acronyms.
- Replace broad promises with testable outcomes.
- Confirm the requested funding matches the budget.
- Check that the abstract and description tell the same story.
- Read the proposal aloud once. Awkward sentences usually hide unclear thinking.

> Treat the proposal as an interface between your team and the people deciding to support it.