Proposal Preparation

Submitting a full proposal requires a series of orchestrated steps. But what seems a daunting task with its many forms and must-have approvals can be quite manageable if you follow these steps.

 

Milestones & Deadlines Guide

The grants team’s goal is to make the funding proposal submission process as seamless as possible for faculty who seek to act as a Principal Investigator (PI), co-PI, senior personnel, or fellow through internal (e.g., SC&I, RU Research Council) or external (e.g., federal agency, foundation) funding. By adhering to the submission schedule, below, and working proactively with the Research Project Coordinator (RPC), Writer-Editor, Business Specialist, and Research & Sponsored Programs (RSP) Grants Specialist, an accurate, thorough, and compliant proposal can be accomplished—on deadline.

 

Days Before Sponsor Deadline Anticipated Actions

60
  • The PI submits a Planning Funding Application (PFA) via the SC&I Research Portal based on their close reading of the sponsor’s request for proposal. 
  • The Research Project Coordinator schedules a start-up bid meeting to plan the proposal submission with the PI (e.g., review Request for Proposal [RFP]; budget development; supporting documents; writing the narrative; and deadlines).
  • Requests and submissions to the grants team will be responded to during regular business hours. 

15
  • The PI provides a complete budget and budget justification—with assistance from the Business Specialist and RPC—along with an abstract or a statement of work.
  • The grants team reviews the submission and promptly offers feedback so these and other supporting documents can be fine-tuned and ready for the next deadline.

5
  • All supporting documentation required from the sponsor is completed by noon, which may include bio sketches; current & pending support (CPS); collaborators & other affiliations (COA); data management plan; facilities;  equipment and other resources; references cited; summary; and subawardee documents.
  • The detailed description of the project, sometimes referred to as the narrative (or “the science”) —typically a lengthy document, is complete and final. 
  • All documentation is now complete. The RSP Specialist reviews and may request edits and changes before submission to the funder.