A person reviewing the proposal will not want to have to obtain the reference and read it in order to really understand your proposal. If a reference is unpublished, or really vital to understanding your proposal, include a reprint with the proposal. Get an outside opinion - Finally, show your proposal to one or more colleagues for comments. Ask them for an honest assessment of strengths and weaknesses. Listen to their comments and revise the proposal accordingly.
Mechanical Details Take care of the administrative details.
Don't give someone the opportunity to dismiss your proposal because you failed to follow instructions. Be sure you qualify. Many programs, particularly at NSF, which have no official deadlines, are more likely to be funded if the reviews of your proposal are complete and the project is ready to be funded early in the fiscal year before all the money in the program budget is committed to other projects. Instructions - Make sure your proposal incorporates all requested information. Readability is important Reviewing proposals is a tedious job.