Your proposal should include the cover page shown above.  Then respond to the following elements.  It is not necessary to follow the outline sequentially – it is more important to make a strong case for your project in whatever logical order you deem appropriate, so long as the elements below appear in your narrative.

Project Information: Describe the information technology application research you wish to perform. This section should outline the problem or question you wish to research. Research questions must be connected to prior literature, and proposals must demonstrate sufficient grounding in the relevant literature of related disciplines.  Proposals must have realistic prospects for contributing to applicable information technology literature. Please provide a literature review to document current knowledge in the field, and discuss how your research will expand this knowledge base.  Describe how your research will help advance the mission of USAFA, the USAF, and/or the DoD.

Research Objectives: Provide a well-defined list of the research objectives, hypotheses that you plan to test and/or questions you plan to address.  If your proposal seeks to design new tools, a design discussion will take the place of a discussion of hypotheses or research questions.

Research Design and Assessment Strategy: Provide an overview of the research design and why it is appropriate for the questions you are addressing.  Explain your data collection methods, data analysis and, where appropriate, how you will assess the effect and/or the effectiveness of your information technology application.

Researcher Qualifications: Please provide a brief paragraph on the personal qualifications of each researcher to perform the project described, including academic background and research history, but CVs are not necessary. List previous related research grants and provide a summary of completed work as applicable.  Any prior IITA support and reports must be identified.

Cadet Involvement: IITA encourages cadet involvement during your research.  Explain how cadets will be involved in performing the research.

Cadet Involvement as Research Subjects:  Explain how cadets will be used as human subjects.  Using cadets as human subjects for the research project is not the same as having them actively participate in the carrying out of the research itself. The use of cadets as human subjects requires the prior approval of the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

IITA Laboratory requirements: The IITA lab is located in 4J15, Fairchild Hall, and is available to all researchers as required. It is currently equipped with both UNIX and NT servers, workstations, printer, scanner, and audio-visual equipment and can be reconfigured to meet varying research needs. Use of the IITA lab is encouraged. Please outline your lab requirements. Questions regarding available resources should be directed to the IITA Lab Director.

Budget: Make as accurate a prediction as you can regarding proposed spending in support of your project.  This includes travel costs, conference fees, etc., as well as hardware or software.  You may list this in any appropriate format, either within the body of the proposal or as a separate attachment.

Conferences and Workshops as appropriate, IITA will host conferences and workshops.  Your proposal must include information on the conferences and workshops that you wish IITA to host.

Management Plan.  Include a management plan and milestones.  Your management plan must indicate who will conduct each part of your work.  If your project involves cadets as researchers, you must secure approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before you can begin project activities.  IRB approval is not required prior to proposal submission. If you have already sought approval, please attach a copy of the IRB approval letter. For information on the USAFA IRB and to determine if you need to apply, please see their web site at: http://www.usafa.af.mil/superintendent/xp/xpx/irb/index.cfm.  Your Gantt chart needs to show your plan to complete each step of your research. Your milestone chart must start with your initial research and conclude with publication of your finding.  Multi-year projects can be broken down into quarters.  One year projects must be broken down into months.  Use Microsoft Project for your milestone chart.  An example of a milestone chart can be found at (Appendix 2).

If you are not familiar with, or do not have access to, MS Project, IITA can assist you in building your milestone chart.  Simply list your project milestones in a clear format in the proposal itself, or as an attachment.  Don’t forget to include such milestones as the purchase of key equipment, etc.