Proposal Development
The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is dedicated to helping UNG faculty and staff develop competitive proposals for external funding. While the investigator is responsible for writing the proposal, our grant specialists provide intensive support to help you throughout the process. All our staff keep abreast of the latest funding trends and receive training on everything from proposal development techniques to agency-specific issues and quirks. Click on the tabs below to learn more about the proposal development process!
- Communicate Your Intent to Apply
- Coordinate Your Submission with OSP
- Proposal Components
- Budget Preparation
Who needs to know you’re applying for a grant or contract?
Whether you already have an idea and need help finding funding or need to refine your project and put together a research team, OSP is the best place to start. OSP can help you identify: Once you’ve identified a funding opportunity to apply to, contact OSP to help you with the following: OSP will work with PIs to determine what level of support is needed to submit a successful application. Learn more about the submission process!
Every proposal is different and depends on a number of factors such as sponsor and program guidelines, federal or state regulations, university regulations and processes, the submission system, collaborative arrangements, and much more. However, all proposals are alike in that they require time to develop, edit, assemble, and review. The following are typical components requested when applying for external funding: Proposal templates such as budget spreadsheets, program-specific checklists, and various proposal documents are available to UNG employees on the OSP Department site in myUNG (login required) or contact grants@ung.edu to request a template.
In addition to the merit of your project, your grant proposal will be reviewed for the reasonableness of the funds requested. The budget of your proposal should reflect, as accurately as possible, the funding necessary to carry out the project, matching your timeline and objectives. Cost Share Cost share, also referred to as matching funds or in-kind contributions, are project costs funded by the University. This could include PI effort, supplies or travel funds, or cash contributions from partners, as well as other expenses. Such costs should not be included in a budget unless required by the funding agency. Typically, a sponsor will include a specific percentage in funding opportunity guidelines that an applicant must meet when proposing cost share. Such commitments must be documented in letters of support and reviewed and approved by OSP and UNG administration.