As noted earlier, solicited proposals are usually written in response to a formal "request for proposal" (RFP).

Most RFPs are available on the Web. For instance, the National Science Foundation's site at

funding/> provides links for all sorts of research funding opportunities. There is a link for undergraduate students, for graduate students, for K-12 educators, and for many program areas such as engineering. geosciences, and so on. Go to this site and click on a link that interests you and locate the RFP. Write a memo to your instructor explaining why you are interested in this research and what focus your proposal would take. For instance, you might have a good idea for a proposal in response to the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) RFP. What topic would you choose and how would you make your best case?