The IP team offers ongoing support to University faculty and staff across the entire grant cycle or sponsorship/partnership process, including:

  • Researching and identifying funding sources;
  • Drafting, preparing, and submitting proposals;
  • Assisting with the acceptance of awards or sponsorships; and
  • Facilitating award management and reporting.

To maximize success in the proposal process, we recommend the following steps:

1. Start early

Strong projects and proposals require deliberate and thoughtful planning, ideally beginning 3-6 months before the submission deadline. Faculty members are encouraged to:

  • Collaborate with the IP team to align project ideas with funding agency missions;
  • Gather preliminary or baseline data relevant to the project;
  • Conduct a comprehensive literature review on the project topic;
  • Develop the project idea in partnership with colleagues and potential collaborators;
  • Share a concept paper with their supervisor, department chair, or dean;
  • Prepare a professional bio-sketch or curriculum vitae (3-5 pages, adhering to most funders' limits); and
  • If the project involves human subjects or vertebrate animals, contact the Vice Provost for Sponsored Research for guidance on Institutional Review Board processes. More information is available here. 
2. Create a budget plan for the project

Develop a detailed budget plan with line items that outline all project activities. Utilize the budget planning worksheet on the Resources page to calculate personnel needs, fringe benefits, and indirect costs. Ensure the budget complies with the funder’s guidelines, which may include restrictions on personnel base salary, indirect costs, and unallowable expenses. For specific guidelines and limitations, consult with the IP and Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) teams. Detailed information on budget preparation can be found on the OSP webpage. 

3. Complete all prerequisite requirements in advance of the proposal submission deadline
Financial Conflicts of Interest Training: 

All University-affiliated researchers must complete training on Financial Conflicts of Interest (FCOI) at the time of any proposal submission. Access the FCOI training module here.


Financial Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form: 

The project lead or Principal Investigator must complete the University’s Disclosure Form for each grant submission and submit it to the University’s Conflicts Coordinator in OSP. Access the disclosure form and additional information here.


Approvals: 

All proposals and budgets must be approved for submission by your dean or department chair to ensure alignment with the school’s objectives. The dean or chair must email their approval to the Vice Provost for Sponsored Research. Some funders may require additional institutional approvals and signatures; the IP team will coordinate with OSP and other University departments to secure these approvals. All approvals must be secured at least 48 hours before the proposal deadline. Some funders require additional institutional approvals and signatures. The IP team will coordinate with OSP and other University departments to ensure the required signatures are obtained. All approvals should be in place within 48 hours of application or proposal deadlines.


Submission: 

Once training and approvals are complete, the IP team will submit the proposal on behalf of the faculty member, ensuring it meets all funder submission requirements.