Why examples matter
Reading about how to write a proposal is helpful, but seeing a real one is even better. Examples give you a tangible sense of how all the key elements come together in practice. You get to see how experienced researchers structure their ideas, justify their questions, and explain their methods. If you’re new to academic writing or just unsure where to start, a sample proposal can act as your north star.
Whether you're applying for a PhD, writing your thesis proposal, or planning a funded research project, these examples will give you a concrete sense of what works (and what to avoid). Think of it as getting a behind-the-scenes look at successful academic thinking.
What does a strong research proposal look like?
A solid research proposal includes a series of clearly defined components, each of which plays an important role in convincing reviewers of your project's value. It starts with a focused and compelling title, followed by an introduction that hooks the reader and outlines the research problem.
You’ll also need to provide a well-reasoned literature review to show you understand the field, as well as detailed methodology to prove your approach is sound. A good proposal finishes with a discussion of the expected contribution and a realistic timeline. Don’t forget proper referencing, which shows academic credibility.
👉 You can explore these steps in depth in our main guide:
How to Write a Research Proposal (Step-by-Step Guide)
Sample research proposal
Title:
Framing digital humans as team members: A role-based study of human–AI collaboration
Problem statement:
Despite the growing use of digital humans (DHs) in education, healthcare, and customer service, their design is still focused on fixed roles. This limits their potential in team-based, adaptive settings. There’s a gap in the literature around understanding DHs as flexible collaborators within human–AI teams.
Research questions:
- How are digital humans currently conceptualized and utilized in team settings across different domains?
- How can Belbin’s Team Roles framework inform the design of adaptive digital humans?
Methodology:
This mixed-method study begins with a systematic literature review (43 peer-reviewed studies), followed by qualitative interviews with DH designers and researchers. Data will be coded using Belbin’s behavioral team role framework. The combination of literature synthesis and primary data ensures both theoretical depth and practical relevance.
Expected contribution:
This research introduces a new role-based framework for designing flexible digital human agents and contributes to the field of Human-Agent Teaming (HAT). It aims to bridge the gap between technical design and team dynamics theory.
More research proposal examples
Research proposals vary depending on their purpose, audience, and discipline. Below are three common types and what makes each unique. We’ve also included free downloadable proposal PDFs so you can see exactly how these ideas work in practice.
Download Examples:
Seeing real proposals gives you a clear sense of how ideas, structure, and style come together, making it easier to model your own work after successful examples.
Tips for using research proposal examples
- Don’t copy, adapt.
Seeing a great research proposal example can be inspiring, but it’s important to treat it as a guide, not a shortcut. Copying sections word-for-word rarely works because your research question, context, and evidence will be different. Instead, pay attention to how the example frames its problem, builds a case for the research, and walks the reader through the methods. Then, adapt that approach to fit your own project. The goal is to borrow the thinking process behind the example, not the exact language.
- Focus on structure.
The real strength of a good example often lies in its structure; the way it takes the reader on a logical journey from the introduction to the conclusion. Notice how the author introduces the problem, transitions into the literature review, and connects the methodology to the research questions. A well-structured proposal makes it effortless for the reviewer to follow your reasoning. Use examples to map out that flow, and then create your own outline that follows a similarly clear and convincing order.
- Study examples in your discipline.
A strong proposal in one field might not work at all in another. Proposals in engineering often emphasise technical feasibility and precise data plans, while those in the humanities might focus more on theoretical framing and critical analysis. Social sciences often fall somewhere in between, blending conceptual frameworks with qualitative or mixed-methods approaches. That’s why it’s important to study examples from your discipline, you’ll start to notice patterns in tone, structure, and level of detail that match your field’s expectations.
- Use ResearchRabbit to explore real examples.
Not every example you come across will be relevant to your work, and wading through dozens of mismatched proposals can be frustrating. Tools like ResearchRabbit can save you time by helping you locate research in your area and see how ideas have evolved over time. You can follow citation networks, spot influential authors, and identify where your own work could fill a gap. The closer the example matches your topic or approach, the more useful it will be for shaping your own proposal.
How ResearchRabbit helps you write better proposals
If you’ve ever spent hours digging through PDFs only to come up empty-handed, you’ll know how frustrating research can be. ResearchRabbit is designed to cut through that noise.
It lets you explore citation networks so you can trace how ideas are connected and see the bigger picture of your topic. You can discover related studies you might have missed, ones that directly align with your research interests. Instead of bookmarking endless tabs, you can save, organise, and visualise your reading list in one place, making it much easier to spot patterns or gaps in the literature.
And when you’re faced with a dense, 30-page academic paper, ResearchRabbit can summarise the key points so you spend your time thinking about ideas, not wrestling with jargon. Whether you’re still shaping your research question or deep into writing your literature review, it helps you stay focused, organised, and ahead of the curve; so your proposal comes together faster and with more confidence.
Final Thoughts
Looking at real research proposal examples is one of the smartest ways to learn how to write your own. Use them to inspire structure, sharpen your argument, and avoid common pitfalls. Once you know what a successful proposal looks like, writing your own becomes far less intimidating.
🔗 Don’t forget to check out our full guide:
How to Write a Research Proposal (Step-by-Step Guide)
And if you’re feeling stuck, ResearchRabbit is here to help you discover, explore, and organize everything you need; so you can focus on what really matters: building a brilliant research project.
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