There are several search engines available online including Grants.gov. However, if you need assistance identifying potential sources of funding / grant opportunities, contact UMSL's Research Development staff.
Talk to colleagues who have prior experience dealing with the agency or foundation. Check with the Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) office about previous or pending applications submitted to that organization by the University.
Yes! Direct contact with the sponsor(s), usually via telephone or email, is highly recommended. Most program officers want to discuss a proposal's feasibility with an applicant. This contact also provides an opportunity to clarify guidelines and get any up-to-the-minute information. Statistics show that applicants who have consulted an agency in advance are far more likely to receive funds than those who have not. Research Development and Sponsored Programs Administration staff can assist PIs in locating agency contact information.
A proposal should follow the application guidelines and budget forms provided by the funding agency precisely. Templates for many standard federal agency forms are posted on the Sponsored Programs Administration web site or can be accessed through the Internet. If forms are not provided, the SPA has sample formats that may be used as models. Check with the program officer to ensure that the generic budget format is acceptable to the agency. Also, you can find Budget Checklist on our resources web page.
You can find a Budget Checklist on our web site.
Give the best estimates possible — a padded budget will be detected, but an inadequate budget will reflect the applicant's inexperience.
Indirect costs (F&A) should be included at the federally negotiated rate (see Indirect Costs). Any waiver of indirect costs must be approved in writing by the Institutional Official, Christopher Spilling (x5899).
You must submit your budget to the Sponsored Programs Administration office at least 2 weeks before the proposal submission deadline. Any exception must be approved by Vice Chancellor Christopher Spilling (x5899).
When writing your proposal, clearly state:
The problem to be investigated and its significance; i.e., an abstract that is clear, concise and specific. It may be the only part of the proposal that some reviewers read.
The specific activities planned and the measurable accomplishments to be realized.
The appropriateness of the proposed design and methods. An emphasis on the importance of your work and your ability to complete the project.
The stature of your institution and its facilities.
The cost efficiency of the project and the justification of budget items.
Cost-sharing or matching funds require letters of commitment.
The possibility of continued support after the initial grant period ends. Make certain that all organizational aspects of your proposal (typing, referencing, copying, editing, etc.) are without error.
Yes — follow the guidelines meticulously. Reviewers and panel members look at hundreds of applications. If the application is not prepared in accordance with the guidelines, essential information may not be readily accessible and the probability of funding will be reduced. In some cases, the proposal may be returned without review.
This is a good question to ask the program officer. Some agencies allow you to suggest reviewers to include or exclude, but others do not. Please keep in mind that your suggestions are just that — suggestions. A successful proposal must be prepared as carefully as a manuscript submitted for publication. Most proposals will be subject to peer review by the funding agency and may go through additional reviews before a determination on funding can be made. Therefore, pre-submission screening by your colleagues is essential.
Submitting a final draft to the Sponsored Programs Administration office as early as possible minimizes the possibility of delays at the time of submission due to errors or missing information.
Review of the use of human subjects, animals, radioactive material or recombinant DNA in research is mandated by federal regulations and University policy. The responsibility for this review belongs to the University Regulatory Committees. Please allow enough time for Committee turnaround and resubmission if necessary. For more information visit Research Compliance.
The University requires that a completed PeopleSoft Signature Routing Sheet, or "Signature Page," be filed with the Sponsored Projects Administration office prior to submitting a grant proposal.
This applies to ANY grant being submitted to ANY agency. Access to the Signature Page is available from most campus computers for users who have completed PeopleSoft training. By completing the Signature Page, applicants provide the information and obtain sign-offs needed to register and track proposals in the PeopleSoft System. The Signature Page is used to assign credit for the project. SPA staff can assist with the completion of the information, but applicants are required to obtain signatures from their department chair and College/School dean. If the proposal involves committing resources from another College/School or University Extension, the respective dean/director must also sign. These signatures indicate agreement to honor any commitments made in the proposal.
If you are going to be away from the University at the time of submission, you must arrange for signatures before leaving.
Contact Melissa Laurenti (314) 516-5894 if you have questions.
YES! For many programs, the success rate of first-time applicants is very low, but a significant number of those proposals are funded upon resubmission. Contact Sponsored Programs Administration or Research Development staff to discuss strategies for resubmission.
