Defining the project
The first thing reviewers look for is why the dictionary is needed and what gap it fills. Existing dictionaries in the field, their shortcomings and the original contribution of the project should be stated clearly.
Work packages
- Source survey and selection of entries
- Design of the entry structure and data model
- Data entry, editing and review
- Software development and publishing
- Dissemination: publications, presentations and open access
Data management and sustainability
Many funding programmes ask for a data management plan and an account of how the data will live after the project ends. Export in standard formats (TEI Lex-0, CSV, JSON), permanent URLs and regular backups give a concrete answer.
The software budget
Listing software as separate items for development, hosting, maintenance and post-project support strengthens the budget justification. Reusing modules proven in production reduces the development item.
What the technical section should cover
- Data model and entry structure
- Search, index and relation features
- Editor roles and approval workflow
- Security, backups and accessibility
- Timeline and deliverables
Which programmes?
University research funds, national research councils, European Union research programmes and foundations can fund dictionary and digital humanities projects. Always check a programme's current conditions on its own website.
How we help
We help prepare the technical section, work plan and software budget of your proposal, and offer discounted pricing for academic projects.