SEARCH
PREPARING A PROPOSAL
University Research Administration formally submits proposals on behalf of the University of Chicago for investigators, research projects, and units within the University. The proposal process varies and depends on your particular location within a division, school or department of the University. Generally, local administrators work with faculty to prepare proposals and route them for appropriate sign-offs. They may then be sent for review to a central divisional unit/office or individual. Local administrators should follow the respective business rules within the Biological Sciences Division, the Physical Sciences Division, and the Social Sciences Division. Many schools, units, and programs have administrators who work directly with URA Staff. URA gives the proposal a final review and provides institutional endorsement prior to submission to a potential sponsor.
If you have any questions about the process, please call URA (702-8669) for assistance.
Life Cycle of a Grant
Types of Sponsors
- Government – Federal, State and Local
- Nonprofit Organizations – Foundations, Associations and Other Nonprofit Organizations
- For Profit Corporations – Business and Industry
Types of Agreements
- Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Contract
- Subaward Agreement
- MTA, CTA, CDA
Grants and Cooperative Agreements
Grants and Cooperative Agreements fall under the purview of University Research Administration and embody several distinct qualities. Grants provide financial assistance in investigator-initiated research. Cooperative Agreements provide financial assistance in investigator-initiated research as well, with technical involvement of the sponsor. Components of the proposal will often include a scope of work, a budget, a budget justification, and a specific timeline for carrying out the proposed activities. Award terms and conditions are mutually agreed upon by the sponsor and the University. See the Grants and Cooperative Agreements page for more information.
Contracts
A contract is a written, legal agreement between an institution and an awarding agency normally involving the expectation of an economic benefit on the part of the contractor and the generation of a tangible product, service, or other consideration in return for sponsored support. Contracts are procurement, and are agency/sponsor initiated research. The University enters into contracts for the support of research and other sponsored activities to obtain and disseminate new knowledge for the benefit of mankind. See Federal Contracts and Clinical Trials for more information.
