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CVs of the main members of the research team will usually be required. It is important to get the right balance of managers and workers, and the requisite skills and capabilities. Some funders insist on a partnership between academic and industrial/commercial organizations. In this case the roles of the various members of the partnership must be spelt out. Successful project management and organization are becoming increasingly important issues in the selection process. Indicate the intended management structure, the relevant experience of the responsible managers, research quality assurance procedures and other relevant budgetary and monitoring devices. Timetabling This shows when the various operations will be carried out and in which sequence, and how long the project will take overall. A bar chart showing the various tasks and their timing is a useful way to summarize the programme, together with a written description of what is involved in each task. A sequence of milestones with a description of what will be produced at each will give a reliable monitoring guide. Take into account any risk factors and build in some fallback solutions, particularly if the risks are overt and an inherent part of the project. Outputs There is little point in carrying out funded (or, for that matter, any other) research if the outcomes are not disseminated to those who might benefit from them. The proposed outputs could be in the form of articles, reports, papers, books, pamphlets, guides, conferences, computer programs etc. How the outputs will be made available to potential readers/users will also be of interest. Your intellectual property rights should also be considered here. Your aim should be to retain as many rights as possible. However, in more commercial work this can become a complicated issue and you will probably need to gain expert advice and be involved in discussions with the other participants and the promoter. There is increasing competition in the research and consultancy environment. The process has become more subject to the time limited, programmatic priorities of funding bodies, and to increasing emphasis on the relevance to industry and the economy. The ways in which applicants convey their interest and expertise, register and enter the competition are important criteria used by promoters in the selection of participants and allocation of funds. It is essential that researchers are aware of how the research agendas are set. To be best informed, get yourself on relevant circulation lists which will supply you with information, calls for expressions of interests, research conferences and other dissemination events. Consult with the sponsoring or commissioning bodies for details and opinions. For inside information, find out if any of the staff in your organization are members of an advisory or steering research group of the commissioning body: they should know more details about the research relevant agenda. Consult also with research