Concept Note — Zia Hassan

Function: The BIS is responsible for sensitivity to punishment, non-reward, and novel situations. It regulates avoidance behavior.
Emotional Responses: It is associated with feelings of anxiety, fear, and apprehension. When activated, it can lead to cautious or inhibited behavior.
Neurobiological Basis: The BIS is thought to involve brain regions such as the hippocampus and amygdala, which are associated with processing risk and fear.

A concept note is a brief, concise document that outlines the core idea of a proposed research project, typically used in the early stages of grant funding applications. It helps funders quickly assess whether a project aligns with their priorities before requesting a full proposal.

🔍 Purpose of a Concept Note

Gauge interest from funders before investing time in a full proposal.
Summarize the problem, solution, and significance in a compelling way.
Demonstrate feasibility and researcher expertise.

📄 Typical Structure of a Concept Note (1–3 pages)

Here’s what it usually includes:

Title

A clear and descriptive title of your project.
Background / Rationale

What problem are you addressing and why is it important?
Objectives / Research Questions

What are the main goals or hypotheses?
Methodology / Approach

How will you conduct the research? What methods will you use?
Expected Outcomes

What results do you anticipate and how will they make an impact?
Significance / Alignment

Why is this relevant to the funder’s mission or strategic goals?
Timeline and Budget Summary (optional)

A rough sense of the project duration and scale of funding needed.
Principal Investigator(s) Info

Brief bios or qualifications of the lead researchers.

✍️ Tips for Writing a Strong Concept Note

Keep it clear, concise, and jargon-free.
Tailor it to the specific funder’s goals or priorities.
Emphasize novelty, feasibility, and potential impact.
Be specific enough to show rigor, but short enough to stay skimmable.

Would you like a template or example tailored to your field?