Although the Sponsored Programs Office will not write your proposal, OSP provides faculty and staff with a range of proposal development support to help you make sure it is complete, well written, and thoroughly addresses sponsor guidelines.

Our goal is to provide customized proposal assistance geared to the PIs specific needs.  The types of assistance we offer include:

• Helping to determine eligibility and project suitability for funding opportunities
• Reviewing sponsor guidelines to develop submission plan and timeline
• Budget review and development

• Editorial review of proposal narrative, review for formatting, readability, and responsiveness to the sponsor.

Below is a step-by-step guide that you may find useful as you develop your proposal. 

• Step 1: Brainstorm

Identify the project idea; what you wish to do.

• Step 2: Discuss Your Idea

Discuss project idea with Colleagues, Chairperson, Director or  Dean, and Office of Sponsored Programs to evaluate your ideas and assess capabilities to conduct the project.

• Step 3: Identify Possible Sources of Support

Browse through the Grant Sources page and contact OSP to assist in identifying possible sources of funding.

• Step 4: Review Specific Application Guidelines and Forms

Establish contact with sponsor as may be indicated. Our office can help with making sure applicaiton guidelines are met and forms

• Step 5: Begin "Needs" Assessment

Conduct a recent literature review. Gather your background information. Has anyone done this before?

• Step 6: Identify and Collect Data to Support Need

Gather information to support the significance, need, and potential impact of the project.

• Step 7: Develop Implementation Design

Outline the tasks, steps, experiments, or procedures.

• Step: 8: Write Concept Drafts of Proposal

Review with colleagues and the Office of Sponsored Programs.

• Step 9: Identify Project Costs and Develop Preliminary Budget

With assistance from the Office of Sponsored Programs.

• Step 10: Revise Proposal as Needed

Get the feedback from your colleagues, etc., and make your revisions.

• Step 11: Prepare Application and Budget

Complete the final narrative section and gather supporting documentation. Fill out required forms. OSP will assist with budget creation and review and also assist with interpretation of specific application requirements.

• Step 12: If Necessary, Submit Protocol to IRB, IACUC, or Radiation Safety Committee for Approval 

Use of human or animal subjects or radioactive materials requires approval by the appropriate regulatory committee. You do not necessarily need approval prior to submission of a proposal, but it will be required prior to project initiation, and may be required by the funding agency before an award can be made.  OSP can advise you on what approvals are necessary for your particular project. 

• Step 13: For Electronic Submission--Make Sure You are Registered

Electronic submission to federal agencies, including NSF and NIH, requires prior registration.  Contact the Office of Sponsored Research so we can get you registered.  YOU MUST DO THIS AT LEAST A WEEK BEFORE THE DEADLINE.  Registration approval may take several days. Make sure you provide our office with your login information (user IDs, passwords, generated alternative social security numbers, etc).

• Step 14: Complete the Sign Off Sheet For Grant/Contract Proposal Approval (PDF)

Fill out the applicable portions of the approval from and sign where indicated.  Give the form and a copy of your final proposal to your Department Chair, Director, or Dean for their signature. Be sure to submit this form to OSP FIVE (5) DAYS PRIOR to submisssion the deadline. 

• Step 15: Bring the Signed Approval From and Final Draft to the Office of Sponsored Programs FIVE DAYS PRIOR to the SUBMISSION DEADLINE

After your Chair/Director/Dean has signed the approval form, our staff will route the proposal for final administrative approvals by the Director of Sponsored Programs, the Provost, the Vice President for Finance and Administration, and the President.

• Step 16: Submission

The final submission process will vary according to the sponsoring agency.  If hard copies are required, our staff will make the required number of copies and mail them to the sponsor.  If electronic submission is required, the faculty or staff member may, if appropriate, upload or transmit the application themselves, or Office of Sponsored Programs Staff may do it for them.  PLEASE NOTE that Grants.gov submissions must be done by Office of Sponsored Programs staff from our office.

Electronic submission to most federal agencies will result in an electronic notice to the Director of Sponsored Programs, who will then log on to the appropriate web site and give final institutional approval to the proposal. Applications that do not have institutional approval will not be reviewed.

• Step 17: Celebration!