Preparing and Submitting Proposals

First Steps

Read the funding opportunity announcement or RFP thoroughly
Contact potential project partners, e.g. faculty colleagues, students, other researchers
Contact Sponsored Programs Office to alert them that you are preparing a proposal or have interest in a funding opportunity
Establish a relationship with the Program Officer, pitch your project idea, ask technical questions
Notify your Dean of your intent to apply for a funded project. This is especially critical if you will require release time, matching funds, special equipment or space needs
Assess any special procedures or issues; for example, human subjects, animal subjects, hazardous materials, space or special equipment requirements
Register for electronic submission (FastLane, grants.gov, etc); the Sponsored Programs Office can help you with this
Prepare a proposal preparation timeline to ensure that you will meet the deadline; allow 2-3x more time than you think you will need; allow time for your colleagues to review and comment on your proposal draft

Prepare a first, rough draft of your ideas and project approach
Review your draft with others involved in your project
Make a list of supplementary information needed; for example, available resources (faculty expertise, equipment, lab resources, etc); letters of support; supporting letter from university administration (i.e. Dr. Knowlton); your vitae and vita from all participating faculty
Begin collecting supplementary information
Complete a first draft of your budget
Review budget draft with Budget and Grants Office (Sara Hare)
Prepare final draft of your proposal

Circulate final draft of for comment and critique to proposal partners (Director of Sponsored Programs can review your draft and identify other faculty colleagues who can provide critiques)
Finalize proposal incorporating comments and critiques
Finalize proposal budget
Complete Internal Review & Approval Routing Sheet
Circulate finished proposal and budget with Routing Sheet to: 1) Dean and 2) Sponsored Programs Office
Coordinate proposal submission with Sponsored Programs Office

NOTE: All proposals must be submitted by the Sponsored Programs Office