Some of the mistakes are:
- Choosing a topic that is too large.
- Choosing a topic that is too complex for research at the level of the researcher.
- Not giving due consideration to the time factor. This factor is important because the research work is to be completed within the prescribed time period.
- Choosing research where materials are not easily accessible.
- Choosing research that is not researchable because the methodology of the study is not yet developed or outdated or incomplete.
- Using buzzwords and jargon.
- Objective not relevant to the project or research.
- Inadequate literature review.
- Irrelevant references should not be cited.
- Discussing more problems rather than solutions.
- The budget is inaccurate or very high.
- Repeating exact phrases from the funder’s guideline while developing proposals.
- The proposal is not structurally clear or has formatting problems.
- Grammar and punctuations should be correct and sentence construction should be simple.
- The expected result should be objective-oriented.
- Not having someone else review the submission.
- Instructions were not followed and/or all questions on the application form were not answered.
- Not requesting feedback.
References
- http://www.indiana.edu/~gradgrnt/proposal-writing-and-research-resources/the-most-common-errors-made-in-research-proposals-and-applications/
- https://www.alliedwriters.com/grant-writing-mistakes/
- https://communispond.com/insights/blog/2018/02/08/696/6-common-mistakes-proposal-writers-make/
- https://blog.quoteroller.com/learn-from-common-mistakes-made-writing-a-proposal/
- https://www.thebalancesmb.com/what-not-to-do-grant-proposals-2501981
- https://captureplanning.com/articles/mistakes-proposal-writers-make.cfm
- https://personalexcellence.co/blog/business-proposal-mistakes/
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4419-1454-5_8
- https://azwriting.com/tips/common-mistakes-in-research-proposal-writing.html
- https://www.eldis.org/document/A33734
- https://www.mastersthesiswriting.com/blog/research-proposal-help/5-typical-mistakes-in-research-proposal-writing.html
- https://www.executivecompass.co.uk/blog/top-tips/7-common-proposal-writing-mistakes/