Hello Chris, Although I don't have a template for you, I'll throw these suggestions out for your consideration, since I have been through exactly the same process more than once. Approach your proposal writing from the perspective of "What's in it for them" to support you in your academic pursuits. Review any corporate value, mission statements, or similar information, and connect in as clear a manner as possible how the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) you will gain through your academic efforts will contribute to meeting those things. For example, if you can connect those KSA's more effective risk management interventions, which in turn contribute to reduced costs, then that is an argument that for profit organizations tend to pay attention to. I would suggest you avoid the loftier "support professional development because it's the right thing to do" approach. I can say from personal experience (not once, but twice!) this is usually an unsuccessful strategy. I am currently pursuing two Masters degrees, and have secured funding for all of one, and part on another program (not the 2nd Masters), and I can say that if I had written my proposal like I had the previous ones ("this is the right thing to do, so please support me...") my academic plans would look very different. Best of luck to you Chris; good on you for taking a graduate program on; they are a lot of work, believe me, but worth it....