Key NASA History Web Sites
Interdependence of Archivists, Records Managers, and Historians
A Select Sampling of Model NASA History Publications
Tips on Writing an Unsolicited Proposal
How a Manuscript Becomes a NASA History Publication

Tips on Writing an Unsolicited Proposal

Read the section in the packet entitled “Questions Good Historians Ask.”
Write your proposal in a narrative (paragraph) form:

• remember that writing a shorter piece is often more difficult than writing a longer one;
• remember that your proposal is in effect a writing sample itself;
• use footnotes as appropriate; and
• use whatever format you think is appropriate (no specific official form is needed).

Be sure to cover the following points briefly:

• the story you want to tell;
• how you intend to tell it;
• what has been done before that is similar;
• what is new about this story;
• why it is worth telling;
• why you are the right person to tell this story;
• what product form (book, monograph, etc.) you think is most appropriate;
• the projected length in pages; and
• a proposed research plan, including a schedule and a budget.

Limit your proposal to approximately five to ten pages in length. You should flesh out your proposal with appropriate details, yet also demonstrate your broad knowledge of the topic by selectively writing about only the most important aspects.

For formal guidance on submitting unsolicited proposals to NASA,
click here.

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