cl

Develop a Novel

Research Idea

Consider Feasibility: Preliminary

Work

Identify a Funding Agency

Design Checklists

& Timelines

Review Agency

Guidelines

Complete Proposal Form Set

Submit for Narrative Review

(Recommended)

Develop Proposal

Narratives

Respond to Compliance

Requirements

Prepare Budget

Collect Supporting Documents

Assemble Complete

Application Package

Submit to URA for Review

Prepare USF Internal

Form

Submit to Sponsored Research

The Pre-Award Proposal Path

How novel/original is your idea?

What important question(s) does your idea answer? (i.e., how impactful is your research?

In what ways is your idea feasible?

How does your idea fill a gap in research or take scholarship in a new direction?

How does your idea align with the funding agency’s needs?

In what ways does your idea include broader contexts?

What disciplines does your idea bring together?

Feasibility

What pilot/preliminary data supports your proposed project?

What credibility/relevant

experience/expertise do you and your team bring to the project?

How does your previous research,

publications, teaching, conference

presentations, etc. support your credibility

and research?

What type of infrastructure (facility resources) supports

your project?

Consider Feasibility: Preliminary Work

In your proposal, address yourproject’s proof-of-concept and thosepreliminary steps that demonstrateyour relevant experience and thefeasibility of your proposed research.

Identify a Funding AgencyWhile your impactful research should drive your grant initiatives, identifying an appropriate funding source and determining your eligibility is critical to finding a good fit.

Review the Funding Search Tools to identify available funding sources.

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3 4

5 6

1. PI and institution eligibility

2. Project deadlines

3. Project’s fit with agency’s goals/objectives and timelines

4. Proposal format and structure(e.g., page limits, margins, font type and size, etc.)

5. Supporting materials required

6. Budget limitations and requirements

Review Agency GuidelinesOnce a funding agency is identified, the guidelines should be reviewed carefully.

What proposal pieces will you need to provide?

What letters of support will you need?

Who will be engaged as partners, collaborators, subcontractors?

What does your preliminary budget look like?

What funding registration and/or internal forms need to be completed?

What will you require in terms of data management, post-doc mentoring, digital data research, and intellectual property plans?

How complete is your CV and Biosketch?

Respond to Compliance Documents

USF Internal Form USF Conflict of Interest Form

Research Integrity & Compliance Programs

Forms & Applications

Researchers must complete the USF Internal Form and InterestApplication as well as any funding agency registration.

Researchers must also fully disclose any financial interests thatwould reasonable appear to directly affect the sponsoredproject by completing the USF Financial Relationship DisclosureForm (Conflict of Interest).

In your proposal, address your project’s proof-of-concept andthose preliminary steps that demonstrate your relevantexperience and the feasibility of your proposed research.Specific compliance forms & applications to applicableboards/committees are required if the proposal involves any ofthe following:

Human subjects, live animals as subjects; RecombinantDNA/RNA; Infectious agents, biological toxins, human blood orbody fluids; Narcotics/controlled substances; Radioactivematerials, hazardous materials; Scuba activities.

See the below research integrity & compliance programs formore information: Biosafety, Office of Export Controls,Institutional Review Board (IRB), Scientific Diving Program,Radiation Safety Office.

Develop Proposal NarrativeTypical Sections in the proposal narrative include the following:

Project Summary Project narrative

Description of

personnel

Budget justification

Guiding the reviewer to maximize readability

and to emphasize

critical points and

connections

Demonstrating a sound

management plan

Meeting the agency’s format

requirements

Aligning proposal aims with agency’s

mission/RFP

Identifying how your research advances your

field and shows gap in

knowledge base

Crafting a compelling

story

Selling your idea clearly, making the

funding agency care, and

establishing credibility by showing you

can do the work

Designing graphics and captions that

propel proposal

aims forward

Presenting a clear, succinct, comprehensive,

confident proposal

Prop

osal

Nar

rativ

e Re

view

(Rec

omm

ende

d)

Prepare Budget

Faculty and academic staff salaries

Travel

Participant costs

Fringe benefitsGraduate and undergraduate salaries Equipment

SubcontractsOther direct and indirect costs

Collect Supporting Documents

Subcontract informationLetters of

collaboration

Institutional information

Biosketchesfor all senior personnel

References

Current & pending support

Description of facilities

Submit to Sponsored Research

Submit to URA for Review

Assemble Complete

Application Package

Perform final checks on the proposal to be sure that all necessary components and documents that support the proposal form set are included in the application package.

Your URA will ensure that your proposal application is complete and aligns with the RFP guidelines/requirements.

Prior to submission, the PI must submit a USF internal form. This form is part of the approval process at the department, college, and university level.

Once the proposal is finalized and approved by all administrators, the PI submits the proposal to the assigned Sponsored Research Administrator (SRA), who is authorized to submit the proposal to the funding agency. The PI receives confirmation once the proposal is submitted.

Final Proposal StepsAdditional proposal steps include the following:

Prepare the USF Internal

Form