Illustrative19 rows36 months
PhD Gantt chart for a three-year thesis
Plan literature review, studies, and writing over three years.
Research Gantt Chart Maker
FigranList work packages, tasks and milestones by month and download a timeline for your proposal.
- Months, weeks or days
- Milestones and work packages
- PNG, SVG and Excel
5 work packages · 14 tasks and milestones
Task or milestoneStartEndDuration
Year 1Year 2Year 3
147101316192225283134
M1M66
M4M1411
M12M2211
M20M3112
M27M3610
Research Gantt chart templates
Illustrative20 rows36 months
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Short project schedule
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Research paper timeline
Plan a research paper timeline from drafting through submission.
How to make a Gantt chart for a research proposal
1Set the length
Choose months or weeks and the project length. Add a start date to show real dates.
2Add work packages, tasks and milestones
Type dates in the grid, or drag a bar on the same row to move or resize it.
3Download the chart
Save PNG for Word, SVG for layout software, or Excel to keep editing.
What a research timeline should show
| Element | What it shows | How it is drawn |
|---|---|---|
| Work package | A major phase of work | Group with a summary bar |
| Task | Work performed over time | Bar from start to end |
| Milestone | A checkpoint | Diamond |
| Deliverable | A result to submit | Diamond with a D code |
| Project month | Time from the project start | Numbered column |
Funders such as Horizon Europe ask for a Gantt chart of the work plan with months counted from the start of the project, so M1–M6 is the first six months.
Use days for short projects, weeks for projects under about six months, months for one to three years, and quarters only as a label for longer grants.
Research Gantt chart FAQ
What should a research Gantt chart include?
Work packages or phases as groups, the tasks inside each one with start and end months, and milestones such as ethics approval, a confirmation review or submission. Keep it to what a reviewer needs to judge feasibility: usually 10 to 30 rows.
How do I make a Gantt chart for a grant proposal?
Number months from the start of the project (M1, M2, …) rather than using calendar dates, since the start date is not known yet. Group tasks into the work packages described in your proposal, give tasks and milestones the codes used in your text (T1.1, MS1, D2.1), and add a little slack before the final deliverables. Horizon Europe asks for a Gantt chart or similar in the work plan section.
Should a research Gantt chart use days, weeks or months?
Months suit a three- or four-year PhD; weeks suit a master's thesis or a project of a few months. Days suit short projects of up to a year (366 days) and need a start date.
Can I edit the chart in Excel, Word or PowerPoint?
Export ▾ Excel gives a spreadsheet Gantt chart whose colored cells follow the start and end columns, so it keeps working when you change dates. For Word, insert the PNG (300 DPI) or SVG. For PowerPoint, open the chart in the Figran canvas (free account) and export it as an editable PPTX.
How do I show a task that happens in two separate periods?
Open the task's ⋯ menu and choose Add period. Each period gets its own bar on the same row, and the Excel export keeps both.
What is the difference between a milestone and a deliverable?
A deliverable is something you hand in, such as a report, dataset or software. A milestone is a checkpoint that shows the project is on track, such as approval to start data collection. Both are drawn as diamonds here; give deliverables a D code to tell them apart.
Can I show calendar months instead of project months?
Yes. Enter a start month (or a start date for weeks) and the chart and the task grid show real dates. You can still type month numbers such as M3.
Is it free, and is my plan private?
Yes. No account is needed to make or download a chart, and your plan stays in this browser; a draft is kept only in this browser tab. Opening it in the canvas needs a free account; you can then choose to save a copy to your account.
Can I show dependencies and progress?
Yes. Turn on Show dependencies or Show progress in Options. Arrows and progress appear on the page and in PNG and SVG downloads; Excel stores them in data columns. Moving a task does not automatically move dependent tasks.
Ready to plan your project?
Set the length and add your first work package.