Many applications are unsuccessful because the objectives of the research project were inadequately stated, not because the project was unworthy of funding. Some other reasons are:
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Deadline was not met;
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Guidelines were not followed;
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Poor presentation;
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Unrealistic budget;
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Not enough detail in budget;
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Project was predictable, routine or repeated previously published research;
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Study appears beyond capacity of applicant or of institution in terms of training, expertise, experience or resources;
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Proposal not sufficiently clear;
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Proposal not sufficiently complete in describing the study;
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Timeframe or workload is not realistic;
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Required personnel and expertise are not available;
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Potential obstacles not discussed;
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Duplication issues are not addressed;
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Insufficient literature review or acknowledgment of previously published research;
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Insufficient knowledge of field;
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Highly partisan or biased position taken on issues;
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Quality of writing poor – long, repetitious, ambiguous.
