We help the faculty and staff of Catholic University receive external funding support for their research, programs, and projects. Faculty and staff are required to contact us before applying for funding from foundations, corporations, and government agencies, and we encourage you to reach out to us as soon as possible so that we can provide the most help.

Working with us

Under the Division of University Advancement, The Office of Institutional Partnerships (IP) assists Catholic University’s faculty and staff in securing funding support from foundations and corporations, and it collaborates with the University’s Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Services (OSP) on faculty-led research, campus-wide initiatives, and programs that are seeking support from government agencies.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

When should I contact the IP team?
The IP team serves as a resource at each step of the funding process. We can provide the best assistance if you contact us in advance of your outreach to government agencies, foundations, corporations, and other private funders, as we can assist with background information, strategy, connections, and outreach.

We ask in particular that you contact us before seeking funding from corporations and foundations, as often the University has existing contacts and relationships that can be helpful, or there may already be grants in progress.

How can the IP team help me?
If you are looking for external funding support, the IP team is a great place to start!  The IP team can:

  • brainstorm and discuss project concepts
  • help identify potential funding sources
  • advise on the interpretation of application guidelines
  • review and edit proposal drafts, letters of intent (LOIs), application attachments, supporting materials
  • coordinate multi-disciplinary project and proposal planning (i.e. meetings, approvals, signatures) with collaborating administrators, faculty, and departments
  • provide project and proposal templates (i.e. concept paper, timeline, budget, etc.)
  • support application planning and submission
  • support outreach, cultivation, and relationship management of prospective and current funding partners

Do I have to contact the IP team before applying for funding from a foundation, corporation, or government agency?
Yes. To ensure the University adheres to guidelines established by the funding source, all faculty, staff, and administrators interested in engaging a foundation, corporation, and/or government agency must notify the IP team before establishing contact. 

Many funders restrict submissions to one proposal per year from the institution. Also, many funding sources (corporations, foundations, government agencies) have existing relationships with multiple University divisions, departments, faculty members, and staff. The IP team will determine if there is an existing relationship and help manage any competing interests. We will work with faculty and staff to determine project feasibility for funders as well as the best approach. 

Please contact the IP office before engaging any institutional funders.  

What is the difference between the Office of Institutional Partnerships (IP) and the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Services (OSP)?
Both offices work together closely. The IP team is housed with the Division of University Advancement. The IP team works with faculty and staff across the University to build partnerships with foundations, corporations, and government agencies to advance research, fund new programs, and support student success initiatives. The IP team offers support in identifying and engaging prospective partners and provides proposal development support.

The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Servcies (OSP) within the Office of the Provost acts as the point of academic coordination for the submission of proposals for research support, acceptance of awards, administration of internal funding of research, coordination of university research and technology transfer, and more.

How does the IP team work with my school/department’s leadership team and advancement officer?
University Advancement also has in place school-based advancement officers that focus on individual donor support. The IP team coordinates its work in academic schools/departments with these school counterparts, particularly in instances where both individual and institutional prospects are being approached for the same project.

Members of the IP team have individual school assignments where they serve as the primary point of contact:

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When should I let my supervisor, department chair, or dean know that I am applying for funding?
Give your leadership team an early heads up about your intent to apply, such as when you are able to briefly summarize the opportunity and the time commitment and resources it will demand. Ultimately your dean will need to provide her or his written approval via email to the IP team for the grant submission. 

I am a staff person. How can the IP team support my department’s work and programs?
The IP team works with offices and divisions beyond the academy, including departments within Student Affairs, Athletics, the Center for Academic and Career Success, and the Center for Cultural Engagement. If you think you have an idea for an externally funded project, get in touch with any one of us. 

Where do I find funding for my project and/or program?
Inspiration for funding ideas can come from all manner of sources, but our team also has access to funder databases and philanthropic news sources that we can access and share with you, to help identify some potential funder options. Our team can also conduct more in-depth prospecting research depending on the complexity of your project or idea. We are happy to help!

Resources

The IP team has an extensive library of resources, including recorded webinars, templates, and checklists. University faculty and staff may access our most popular resources below.

Note: Many of these resources are available only to the Catholic University community via Google Drive. If you are a Catholic University faculty or staff member and cannot access these materials, please make sure you are using your Cardinal Credentials (@cua.edu Google account), not your personal Google account.

  • Concept Paper Templates 
  • Concept Paper Guidelines
  • Catholic University’s Budget Preparation Information
  • Catholic University’s Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects
  • DoD Young Investigators Webinar Recording
  • Grantsmanship 101 Webinar Recording
  • Logic Model Templates 
  • NIH Project Readiness Checklist
  • NIH Specific Aims Guidance 
  • NIH Specific Aims Anatomy
  • NIH R Application Checklist 
  • NIH 101 Webinar Recording
  • NIH REAP/AREA Webinar Recording
  • NIH Sample Applications, Forms, etc.
  • NSF Early Career Program Webinar Recording
  • Planning Discussion Guide 
  • Project Work Plan Templates
  • Project Director/Principal Investigator Role & Responsibilities Checklist
  • Research Project Planning Checklist
  • Sample Budget Justification
  • The Guide to Writing NIH Research Aims

Three tips for successful proposals

To support you in seeking funding to support your work, we have put together three tips to help you develop strong, successful proposals. Remember, you are not alone: The IP team is ready to help you! 

1. Start early.

Strong projects and proposals result from deliberate and thoughtful planning at least three to six months (sometimes longer) before the submission deadline. We recommend completing these steps once you decide that you are interested in pursuing external funding:

  • Gather baseline data, such as preliminary/pilot studies.
  • Conduct a review of the relevant and recent literature on the subject area.
  • Brainstorm project/program ideas with colleagues and potential collaborators (e.g. faculty and staff across the University or peers at other academic institutions, community organizations, or agencies).
  • Co-plan with your collaborators to increase their buy-in and commitment. (See the project planning discussion guide.)
  • Draft a concept paper. (See concept paper template.)
  • Share your concept with your dean, department chair, or director.
  • Meet with the IP team to discuss your concept’s alignment with funding sources. (Email us now!)
  • Develop an updated copy of your professional biosketch or curriculum vitae (CV) in preparation for the proposal development process. Please note that most funders limit biosketches/CVs to three to five pages. 
  • If your project will involve human subjects or vertebrate animals, you must receive approval from the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Services, as outlined in their Institutional Review Board (IRB) process.

2. Determine the resources needed to support the program/project’s activities. 

As you finalize your concept, schedule time to create a budget plan for your project/program. Please review the budget preparation information shared by the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Services.

You can also contact a member of the IP team for the Budget Planning Worksheet, which can help with calculations of personnel effort as well as fringe benefits and indirect costs.

Budgets must comply with the funder’s guidelines which may include imposed caps on personnel base salary, indirect costs limitations, and unallowable budget expenses. Consult with the IP team and OSP regarding budget guidelines and limitations.

3. Before you submit your proposal, complete the required Financial Conflicts of Interest training, Financial Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form, and obtain department and University approvals.

All application materials, including the budget and budget justification narrative, are due to the vice provost for Sponsored Research at least 10 calendar days before the proposal deadline.

Financial Conflicts of Interest Training and Disclosure Form

All University-affiliated researchers are required by the University’s policy to complete training on Financial Conflicts of Interest (FCOI) concurrent with any proposal submission.

Also, for each grant submission the project lead or principal investigator must complete the University’s disclosure form and submit it to the University’s conflicts coordinator in OSP. Please review the FCOI form and related information.

Approvals

All proposals and budgets must be approved for submission by the appropriate dean or department chair. This approval confirms that the project aligns with the school’s instructional program, objectives, and policies, that adequate facilities and resources including faculty are available to support the project’s implementation. At least 10 days before the proposal submission deadline, approval must be emailed by the appropriate dean and/or department chair to the vice provost for Sponsored Research with the OSP.

Additional institutional approvals and signatures may be required by the funder. The IP team will coordinate with the OSP and other University departments to ensure the required signatures are obtained.

Once the required trainings are completed and approvals are obtained, IP will submit the proposal on behalf of the faculty member based on the funder’s submission requirements.