Common mistakes in Proposal writing

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Common mistakes in Proposal writing

Some of the mistakes are:

  1. Choosing a topic that is too large.
  2. Choosing a topic that is too complex for research at the level of the researcher.
  3. 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.
  4. Choosing research where materials are not easily accessible.
  5. Choosing research that is not researchable because the methodology of the study is not yet developed or outdated or incomplete.
  6. Using buzzwords and jargon.
  7. Objective not relevant to the project or research.
  8. Inadequate literature review.
  9. Irrelevant references should not be cited.
  10. Discussing more problems rather than solutions.
  11. The budget is inaccurate or very high.
  12. Repeating exact phrases from the funder’s guideline while developing proposals.
  13. The proposal is not structurally clear or has formatting problems.
  14. Grammar and punctuations should be correct and sentence construction should be simple.
  15. The expected result should be objective-oriented.
  16. Not having someone else review the submission.
  17. Instructions were not followed and/or all questions on the application form were not answered.
  18. Not requesting feedback.

References

  1. http://www.indiana.edu/~gradgrnt/proposal-writing-and-research-resources/the-most-common-errors-made-in-research-proposals-and-applications/
  2. https://www.alliedwriters.com/grant-writing-mistakes/
  3. https://communispond.com/insights/blog/2018/02/08/696/6-common-mistakes-proposal-writers-make/
  4. https://blog.quoteroller.com/learn-from-common-mistakes-made-writing-a-proposal/
  5. https://www.thebalancesmb.com/what-not-to-do-grant-proposals-2501981
  6. https://captureplanning.com/articles/mistakes-proposal-writers-make.cfm
  7. https://personalexcellence.co/blog/business-proposal-mistakes/
  8. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4419-1454-5_8
  9. https://azwriting.com/tips/common-mistakes-in-research-proposal-writing.html
  10. https://www.eldis.org/document/A33734
  11. https://www.mastersthesiswriting.com/blog/research-proposal-help/5-typical-mistakes-in-research-proposal-writing.html
  12. https://www.executivecompass.co.uk/blog/top-tips/7-common-proposal-writing-mistakes/

About Author

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Sagar Aryal, PhD

Dr. Sagar Aryal is a microbiologist, researcher, and science communicator from Nepal. He is also co-founder and Research Head of the Department of Natural Products at the Kathmandu Research Institute for Biological Sciences (KRIBS), where he leads research on natural product discovery and microbial biodiversity. Dr. Aryal earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2025, supported by a DAAD Research Grant and a University Grants Commission (UGC) Nepal Ph.D. Fellowship. His research interests include Actinomycetes, Myxobacteria, microbial taxonomy, and natural products, particularly the discovery of bioactive compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications. He isolated and identified Nocardia nepalensis, a novel bacterial species from Nepal, contributing to understanding microbial diversity in the region. Dr. Aryal has published more than 16 research articles in international journals and contributed three book chapters to established academic publications. He has presented scientific research findings and developed international research collaborations through visits to more than 18 countries across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. From 2023 to 2025, he served as the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Young Ambassador to Nepal. Since December 2025, he has served as an Editorial Board Member of Scientific Reports, a Nature Portfolio journal. In recognition of his scientific contributions, Dr. Aryal received the NAST Science and Technology Youth Award 2025 from the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology. He previously received the Frs. Locke and Stiller Research Award (LSRA) for the 2017-2018 cycle from St. Xavier's College, Kathmandu, and a Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Research Grant for 2017-2018. Alongside his scientific career, Dr. Aryal has more than 15 years of experience in blogging, content writing, and search engine optimization (SEO).