Faculty Development Programme on “Research Proposal Writing"

CHRIST University, Pune Lavasa Campus, proudly announces a 10-day online Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on Research Proposal Curation and Grant Writing to be held from 08th to 19th September 2025. This FDP is thoughtfully designed to equip faculty members, early-career researchers, and academic professionals with the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to conceptualise, draft, and submit competitive research proposals. It aims to foster a strong research culture by guiding participants through every stage of proposal development, from identifying research gaps to preparing polished submissions for reputed funding agencies such as ICSSR, ICHR, DST, UGC, AICTE, DBT, and various international bodies.

The FDP adopts an intensive, practice-based approach where participants will work on their own project ideas and progressively develop them into full-fledged proposals through guided exercises, expert feedback, and peer learning. This hands-on format ensures that participants acquire not only theoretical understanding but also practical competence in designing robust research projects. It will demystify funding processes, build proposal writing confidence, and help faculty align their research ideas with institutional priorities and funding agency expectations. The sessions will combine lectures, interactive workshops, proposal clinics, and collaborative reviews to create a dynamic learning experience.

The programme will be led by (Prof.) Dr. Sheeja Karalam, Coordinator, Centre for Research Projects, CHRIST University, Bengaluru. She is a distinguished academician and research mentor with a rich track record of successful grant acquisitions and extensive experience in training researchers. Her expertise will provide participants with insights into crafting persuasive proposals, understanding evaluation criteria, and avoiding common pitfalls that often hinder funding success.

This FDP is coordinated by Dr. Purnendu Bikash Acharjee, Head: Research Funding Projects and Patents, CHRIST University, Pune Lavasa Campus, and is envisioned by the Dean and Director, Fr. Lijo Thomas, with the support of Academic Coordinator Fr. Justin P. Varghese and Associate Deans Dr. Parameswaran S. and Dr. Jibrael Jos, whose leadership has consistently nurtured a thriving research culture on campus.

The ten-day programme will include the following key sessions:

• Day 1: Understanding the Research Funding Landscape – Funding bodies, schemes, and evaluation processes.

• Day 2: Identifying Research Gaps – Literature mapping, research questions, and SMART objectives.

• Day 3: Building the Proposal Framework – Background, rationale, and conceptual framework.

• Day 4: Methodology and Budget Planning – Research design, sampling, data collection, ethics, budgeting, and timelines.

• Day 5: Institutional Seed Money Grants – Institutional formats, policies, and success stories.

• Day 6: Proposals for ICSSR, ICHR, DST – Guidelines, structures, and assessment parameters.

• Day 7: Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Approaches – Cross-institutional and cross-disciplinary networking.

• Day 8: Ethics and Data Management – Responsible conduct, plagiarism checks, and data sharing norms.

• Day 9: Proposal Clinic and Peer Review – Mentoring and draft refinement.

• Day 10: Final Presentation and Submission Readiness – Proposal pitching and planning submissions.

This FDP promises to transform research ideas into competitive, fund-ready proposals.