Proposal Development Services

The BSOS Research Team can help faculty develop external grant proposals with a range of activities including:

  • prepare budgets, both internal and for submission;
  • coordinate the development of proposal components (scientific and non-scientific);
  • assist investigators to prepare standard proposal forms required by the sponsor and funding opportunity, and enter forms and information in sponsor submission portals;
  • assist with writing of various non-scientific proposal requirements (e.g. administrative forms, budget narrative, etc.);
  • format proposals for compliance, presentation, and consistency;
  • review documents for completeness by checking them against the funding solicitation;
  • address common compliance issues early to reduce problems identified through the UMD routing process;
  • represent UMD, in varying capacities, to external sponsors, collaborating organizations and individuals, and other constituents. This includes disseminating information necessary for the successful and compliant submission of sponsored proposals;
  • and coordinate routing of proposals (both funded and zero-dollar contractual agreements) through the Dean's Office and the Office of Research Administration.

On a case-by-case basis, and based on competing workload, proposal managers can help structure and present proposal text for clarity, and edit components so that reviewers can quickly identify the main messages, locate pertinent information, and follow the flow of the proposal.

These services are primarily available to all faculty, students, and investigators in AFAM, ANTH, CCJS, HESP, and Dean's Office units without proposal development specialists, but the team may also be able to assist faculty in other departments on an as-needed basis. Any individual who needs support for upcoming proposals should use the form linked below to indicate an intent to submit. While it is easier for the team to assist you if we have more information, only the first five questions are required in order to complete the form.

Intent to Submit form

The Intent to Submit form should be completed as soon as possible when an opportunity has been identified, but at least 30 business days (approximately six weeks) before the proposal’s due date. The due date should factor in campus closures and PI availability. (E.g. if the proposal is due on 11/3 but the PI will be traveling the week prior and wishes to submit on 10/27, 10/27 should be entered as the due date.

A detailed schedule of individual proposal components is listed in the table below and the BSOS Proposal Timeline Calculator tool will be provided to the PI and/or research team after an Intent to Submit form has been received. This tool allows you to enter your proposal due date and automatically calculates the required deadlines for each component while factoring in campus closures. Please see the second tab of the spreadsheet for non-monetary agreements.

These timeline benchmarks ensure adequate review time, allowing department and college staff to catch issues before submission to ORA. Failure to meet these timelines and route the completed proposal at least six (6) business days before the due date may result in the proposal not being approved and submitted. 
 

Research Team:
Stephanie Scribner
Maria Rawlings
Michael Lebron
Rebecca Hunsaker
Shannon Corrigan