Review & Submission Process
Our office and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) must review, guide necessary revisions, and approve all proposals prior to their submission to any external funding organization. OSP is authorized to provide final official approval for proposal submissions. Faculty and staff are not authorized to commit the institution through proposal submission or award acceptance. Failure to obtain the required university approvals before submission may result in a refusal to accept or support an award or proposal.
Types of Proposals
- Pre-Proposal
- Solicited Proposal
- Limited Submissions
- Renewal and Continuation Proposals
- Supplemental Funding Request (Additional Funding)
- Revised Budgets
Common Elements of a Proposal
Although proposal guidelines and required elements vary among sponsors, the following are common elements (attachments, information) required by most proposals.
- Abstract or Project Summary
- Biographical Sketch/Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- Budget & Budget Justification
- Cover Page & Signatures
- Data Management
- Equipment & Other Resources
- Other Support – Current & Pending
- Project Narrative/Research Strategy/Scope of Work
Proposal Portals
The following is a list of major proposal portals:
- ASSIST (NIH)
- FastLane (NSF – Transitioning to Research.gov)
- Research.gov (NSF)
- Workspace (federal proposals)
Writing & Editing
A well-written, skillfully prepared, and organized proposal is vital to its success. Our office provides assistance and guidance throughout the proposal development process to ensure proposals are as strong and competitive as possible. We can help in many areas such as reviewing and editing proposal text, developing a budget, and reviewing and submitting the completed proposal.
