Request for Project Proposals
The La Follette School of Public Affairs welcomes public, nonprofit, and private sector organizations to submit project proposals for its Cost-Benefit Analysis course (domestic and international). Potential clients are encouraged to complete the Project Proposal Form or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.r for projects with a domestic focus or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (international projects).
These projects take numerous forms. Many estimate the costs and benefits of proposed policies, drawing on relevant research. Some draw on evaluations of ongoing programs to predict the costs and benefits of continuation, modification, or replication. Others develop and demonstrate the application of cost-benefit analysis protocols as components of research projects.
Student groups complete client-based projects under the direction of a La Follette School faculty member within the context of a semester-long course, beginning in September. The instructor works with the client to develop the problem statement. At a minimum, the client meets with the project team in September; more frequent meetings are suggested, depending on client interest. The client receives a written report and verbal briefing at the end of the semester.
There is no cost to the client.
Selection Criteria
- The project is achievable within one semester (approximately 14 weeks).
- The proposal asks a question that can be answered with cost-benefit analysis. The course instructors are happy to consult with potential clients about the appropriateness of a question as the basis for a course project.
- The project has the support of the organization’s leadership, including a contact person to serve as a liaison with the students and to guide the project.
2019 Timeline
May 15: Priority Consideration Deadline
June 15: Clients notified of proposal status
September 4: Fall semester instruction begins
December 6: First-draft report due to instructor
December 19: Final report due to instructor
At client’s convenience: Briefing on project and report
Considerations
- Each team has several students; however, these students have other classes, and we want to make sure all projects are feasible within one semester.
- We cannot guarantee that a proposal will be selected; we may receive more proposals than we need; and a project may require skills that are not represented among the students.
- All project clients must designate one person who will serve as the liaison with students.
- Students will present their finding to the client at the end of the semester (late December or January).
- Each team will write a report and give a verbal presentation to the client.
- The team’s final product is owned by the client organization.
- The La Follette School of Public Affairs may publicly list the organization as a client, may post final reports on its website, and may include brief project descriptions in the School’s promotional materials.
- Students may use the product in pursuit of their academic or professional careers.
Thank you for your interest in working with La Follette School master’s degree students. Please send additional questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Printable (pdf) Request for Project Proposals document.
