Writing a research proposal for PhD's.

Writing a research proposal is a crucial step in the PhD trajectory and a prerequisite for the go/no-go evaluation. All PhD candidates are required to write and submit their research proposal within 6 months after the start of the PhD project. The template and instructions are attached.

Background and aims

The PhD research proposal is a crucial step and an important educational element of the PhD training program (4 ECTS, 112 hours). Approval of the research proposal is a prerequisite for the go/no-go evaluation. All PhD candidates are required to write and submit their research proposal within 6 months after the onset of the PhD project. We ask our new PhD candidates to demonstrate ownership of their project by writing their proposal in their own words, addressing a set of predefined topics, and putting it in an up-to-date perspective. The PhD research proposal needs to be written by the candidate with consultation and feedback from the supervisory team before submitting it. Even when a peer-reviewed grant proposal is already available at the start of the PhD project, we expect the PhD candidate to work out their take on the matter and develop this into a VLAG PhD research proposal. This will not only help to improve their writing skills but will also stimulate reflection and discussions between the PhD candidate and the supervisory team. Getting acquainted with writing a rebuttal to feedback is an additional valuable learning goal for the PhD candidate.

Submission

To ensure that all aspects are being dealt with, a VLAG PhD research proposal template has been created (see attachments for template and template instructions). When the proposal is completed and approved by the supervisors, the proposal has to be submitted in Hora Finita within six months after the start of the PhD project (manual see: How to submit a Research proposal in Hora Finita? | Hora Finita: PhD candidates | Education Support).

Reviewer

After consultation with their supervisory team, each candidate submits the names of two possible reviewers. The supervisory team is required to contact one of these reviewers in advance and ensure commitment to completing the review within two weeks after receipt of the proposal from VLAG Office.

VLAG will collect feedback from one of these reviewers, who will be asked to evaluate the proposal from the perspective of a senior mentor. In many cases, a VLAG colleague from a neighboring chair group or research institute could be a pragmatic and relevant choice. In some cases, supervisory teams prefer a non-WUR reviewer (e.g. VLAG alumnus). In any case, the reviewer should not be part of the research group(s) of the members of the supervisory team, and should not be involved in the PhD project.

Rebuttal and approval

The PhD candidate is asked to return a rebuttal digitally to the VLAG Office within one month after receiving the review report. In many cases, the suggestions of the reviewer may lead to further improvement of the proposal. In exceptional cases, major revisions may be needed before the proposal is approved. Therefore, in both cases also an updated version of the proposal has to be sent to VLAG Office.

The decision regarding the approval of the research proposal is based on the report of the reviewer, the rebuttal of the candidate, and potential amendments to the PhD research proposal. The rebuttal will only be sent to the reviewer by VLAG Office upon their request.

When the final version of the proposal is approved, VLAG Office will upload it in Hora Finita.