Office of Sponsored Programs

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Office of Sponsored Programs Grant Seekers Toolkit

Finding a funder, preparing a proposal, and ultimately receiving a grant is part science and part art with a lot of luck mixed in. You'll find many resources on the internet to assist you along the journey. Likewise, the OSP webpages have a variety of tip sheets, guidelines, and training materials.

The Grant Seeker's Toolkit is intended as a one-stop shop for information related preparing a UACES grant proposal. The answers to many of your questions are included in these documents as are templates, writing tips, and information about what goes in the boxes on the form you are trying to complete. As always, if you have any questions, contact the OSP office for assistance.

Proposal Development

Various sponsors often require unique information and formatting. These resources will assist in understanding proposal requirements and other information frequently called for in Requests for Proposals.

Contents of a Proposal - What does a sponsor normally require?
Frequently Used Information -Chart Format (Signature Authority, EIN, DUNS, Indirect Cost Rate, etc.)

Writing Tips and Style Suggestions

Grant writing is not academic writing nor is it business writing. It is a writing form of its own.

Technical or Personal Writing Style - Which is Best for your Proposal?
Grant Proposal Writing Guides - Tips for Writing Successful Proposals
Writing to Keep Funders Happy - Improving consideration during review
Using Correct Punctuation - A handy graphic for reference

Budget Development and Financial Concerns

The budget is among the most important parts of a proposal. Sponsored Programs staff assists in developing budgets and have many resources at their disposal to ensure a proposal budget is complete, realistic, accurate, and within the funder’s guidelines. The following documents provide a number of resources to assist the PI in developing a draft budget.

Indirect Costs

Budget Development

IRS Information

UA System Consolidated Financial Statements- For sponsors requesting it
IRS Determination Letter - The Institutional Official Tax Status
Current IRS W-9

References

Sponsored Programs has its own jargon, acronyms, and frequently used information. These documents answer many common questions about terminology and offer supplemental information PIs may find helpful when preparing proposals.

Grants Dictionary - A list of common terminology
Alphabet Soup- Common Acronyms in the Grant World
Grant or Gift? -What is the Difference and Why does it Matter?

Boiler Plate Information and Samples

Examples of letters, pre-written proposal information, and other documents required to complete the internal review process and satisfy the requirements of many RFPs.

Letter of Commitment/Intent Templates

Letter of Commitment Sample with UACES as Lead

Miscellaneous Templates

Agreement/Sub-Contract Templates:

Forms, Forms, Forms

Standard forms and other information frequently required for proposal submission.

For Proposals

SF-424 --Standard form for Federal Grant Applications
SF-424A --Standard budget form for Federal Grant Application
Felony and Tax Certification (signed) UPDATED for 2017! --as required for NIFA projects
Felony and Tax Certification (signed)--OMB Form 0505-0025 required by many federal programs
Conflict of Interest --Statement required of PIs for NIFA programs
Current and Pending --Listing of Projects funding and under review for NIFA programs
Project Summary/Abstract --Overview of Project for NIFA programs
Assurances-Construction Programs
Assurances-Non-Construction Programs
USDA Assurance of Civil Rights Act Compliance (requested by certain agencies under USDA)
Certifications regarding Debarment and Suspension; Drug-Free Workplace; PFCRA; and Environmental Tobacco Smoke