Proposal Templates

The Templates section in ArkAssist provides a library of structured proposal outlines organised across more than 20 categories. Instead of starting every application from scratch, you can select a template that matches your funding context, customise its sections, and apply it directly to your application. Templates are available as official (curated by ResearchArk) or custom (created by you), and each contains dynamic sections that you can adapt to your specific needs.

Template Library

The template library is the main interface for browsing and selecting templates. It consists of two parts:

• Category Sidebar -- A navigation panel listing all template categories, each with a descriptive icon. Categories cover common funding areas and proposal types (e.g., Horizon Europe RIA, ERC Starting Grant, MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship, National Programmes, and many more). Click a category to filter the template grid.
• Template Grid -- The main content area displays templates matching the selected category. Each template card shows:
  • Title -- The name of the template.
  • Description -- A brief summary of what the template covers and when to use it.
  • Category -- Which category the template belongs to.
  • Created date -- When the template was first created.
  • Official or Custom badge -- Indicates whether the template is an official ResearchArk template or a custom template you created.
  • Section count -- How many sections the template contains.

Using a Template

To apply a template to your work:

1. Browse the library or use the category sidebar to find a relevant template.
2. Click View Details on the template card to see the full list of sections and their descriptions.
3. Click Use Template to apply it. This creates a new instance of the template's sections that you can customise within your application's writing editor.

You can also Download as Text to export the template structure for offline reference or use in external tools.

Creating Custom Templates

You are not limited to official templates. To create your own:

1. Click Create Template from the templates page.
2. Fill in the template metadata:
   • Title -- A descriptive name for your template.
   • Description -- Explain what the template is for and which types of proposals it suits.
   • Category -- Select an existing category or, if you have admin privileges, create a new one.
   • Mark as Official (admin only) -- Flag the template as an official ResearchArk template, which makes it visible to all users.
3. Add sections -- Build the template's structure by adding dynamic sections. Each section has a title and content area. You can add as many sections as needed and reorder them.
4. Save the template. It appears in the library under the selected category.

Custom templates are visible only to you unless an administrator publishes them as official templates.

Editing Templates

To modify an existing template you own:

1. Open the template from the library.
2. Click Edit to enter editing mode.
3. Update the title, description, category, or official status (admin only).
4. Add, remove, or reorder sections. Each section supports rich content editing.
5. Changes are saved when you confirm the edit.

Admin Features

Users with administrative privileges have additional capabilities:

• Category Management -- Create, rename, or remove template categories. Each category can have an associated icon.
• Publish / Unpublish -- Control whether a template appears as an official template in the library for all users.
• Delete Templates -- Remove templates from the library entirely.

These controls ensure the template library stays organised and that official templates meet quality standards.

Template Sections

Each template is built from dynamic sections that map to common proposal structures. When you use a template, its sections become the starting framework for your application's writing editor. From there, you can:

• Edit section content -- Modify placeholder text, add your own material, or adjust guidance notes.
• Add or remove sections -- Insert new sections or remove ones that are not relevant to your specific proposal.
• Reorder sections -- Arrange sections to match the order required by the funding call.

Templates serve as accelerators, not rigid constraints. You always have full control over the final structure of your application.

Best Practices

• Start with an official template when applying to well-known programmes. These templates are designed to match the expected structure and evaluation criteria of specific funding schemes.
• Create custom templates for recurring proposal types within your institution. If you frequently apply to the same programme or funder, a tailored template saves significant preparation time.
• Keep section counts manageable. Templates with too many sections can be overwhelming. Focus on the major structural divisions and use subsections within the writing editor for finer detail.
• Review the section list before using a template. Click View Details to make sure the template's structure aligns with the requirements of your target call before committing to it.
• Combine with AI Chat for guidance on how to approach individual sections. The chat assistant can provide targeted advice for each section's content.