Quick Guide - Steps in Proposal Preparation
Start early! Writing an effective proposal to request funding for a sponsored activity such as a research project or training grant can require significant lead times. In addition, you need to determine costs and time required for your project in your funding request. Some essential steps for proposal submission are:
- Find sources of funding for your research, scholarship or creative activities.
- Review the sponsor's program announcement and guidelines
- For industry sponsored projects, contact Kimberly Thorn for assistance
- Create a record in InfoEd, complete the set-up questions, and complete the Intake/Endorsement tab (to the best of your ability) to be assigned a grants coordinator to assist in developing your budget and other essential documents. See the InfoEd Resource page for how-to guides and recorded webinars.
- Determine co-investigators, external collaborators and consultants.
- Contact prospective collaborators for subcontract documents. RSP will coordinate with
the other institution’s research office. Essential documents include:
- A detailed budget and budget justification
- A statement of work
- A letter of commitment from your collaborator's authorized official
- Subcontractor's budgets must be received before your own budget can be finalized. See Proposal Review & Submission Deadlines to determine how many days prior to submission this must be done.
- Develop your budget in InfoEd in the "Budget" tool. The F&A rate (indirect costs)
are budgeted according to UToledo policy 3364-70-23. Any questions regarding the F&A rate should be addressed to the Director of Sponsored
Programs, Kimberly Thorn at DirSponsProgs@UToledo.edu.
- Your RSP grants coordinator will review, consult, and approv your budget.
- When the budget is formally approved by a grants coordinator it will be routed through the endorsement process in InfoEd. The endorsement process seeks approval from co-investigators, all key personnel, chairs and deans. This must be done prior to proposal submission.
- All required attached documents must be uploaded into InfoEd. See Proposal Review & Submission Deadlines to determine how many days prior to submission this must be done. This complete package
may consist of:
- Detailed Budget
- Project Description or Plan
- Budget Justification
- Biosketches for All Key Personnel
- Current and Pending Support
- Data Management Plan
- Facilities and Resources
- Post-Doctoral Fellow Mentoring Plan
- Letters of Support or Collaboration
- All Subrecipient Documents
- All personnel must complete a conflict of interest disclosure in InfoEd.
- Essential information for proposals can be found at the following links: Main and Health Science Campus.