University Research Administration

Proposal Development and Submission

The University of Chicago as an institution formally submits proposals on behalf of investigators, research programs, and units within the University. The proposal process varies depending upon your particular location in a division, school, or unit 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. In the BSD, proposals are sent to ORS; in the PSD, proposals are routed through the PSD LBC; in the SSD, proposals are routed through the SSD LBC. Most other schools, units, or programs have administrators who work directly with URA staff. URA gives the proposal a final review and provides institutional approval prior to submission to a potential sponsor. If you have questions about the process for your location, please call URA (702-8669) for assistance.

Proposal Preparation

Guidance for Writing Effective Proposals

A list of various resources compiled to help you prepare your proposals.

Step-by-Step Guide to Proposal Development

Recommended reading for new administrators.

Proposal Preparation Checklist

Designed to help you keep track of everything required for your proposal.

Sponsor Application Forms

For both federal and nonfederal agencies

Quick Reference Fact Sheet

Institutional information often required when preparing an application

University of Chicago Fact Sheet

(i.e. Number of employees, University Motto, Tuition, etc.)

Sample Cover Page for Nonfederal Proposals

Sample Language – Intellectual Property and Research Tools

Sample texts are provided to assist you with the preparation of grant applications.

Subaward Guidelines

Summarize the procedures for the administration of subawards.

Small Business Subcontracting Plans

Preparation and reporting requirements

Budget Preparation

Use these proposal budget resources to guarantee you prepare the most accurate budget. In addition, most agencies provide information for budget format requirements on their websites. Visit our Agency Websites page for links to Agency websites.

Proposal Budgets detail of the items included in a proposal budget
Computing % Effort from Calendar Months worksheet (Excel)
BSD ORS Budget Templates for various agencies
Federal Indirect Cost Rates and Policy
Non-Federal Indirect Cost Rates
Secretarial/Clerical and Other Direct Costs on Federal Research Project
Benefit Rates

Transmittal Forms

URA requires that a Transmittal Form accompany all proposals. In most cases you will use The Proposal Transmittal form. However, there are specific transmittal forms for Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Clinical Trial Agreements, and eSNAPs (NIH’s electronic Streamlined Non-competing Award Process).

The Proposal Transmittal Form (PTF) and Instructions
Material Transfer Agreement Routing Form
Clinical Trial Transmittal Form
eTF (to be used with eSNAPS)

Standard Agreements

There are specific procedures and boilerplate agreements established for Research, Material Transfer Agreements and Clinical Trials.

Links to Standard Agreements
Clinical Trials
Material Transfer Agreements
Subawards

Electronic Submission

Agency specific information for electronic submissions can be found by visiting Electronic Research Administration (eRA). For federal applications submitted via the Grants.gov portal visit Grants.gov at The University of Chicago.

Electronic Research Administration (eRA)
Grants.gov at The University of Chicago

Institutional Policies

Federal Regulations

Compliance

Principal Investigator Eligibility

Cost Sharing

Proposal Submission & Award Acceptance

Proposal Submission Policy

Conflict of Interest

Indirect Cost Rates and Policy

Intellectual Property, Data Rights & Data Retention

Principal Investigator Responsibilities for Financial Oversight of Grants and Contracts