Extension Proposal Development

Proposal Development Steps

 

Step 1

Extension Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) submits a proposal assistance request.

Step 2

A proposal development specialist contacts the PD/PI.

Step 3

The PD/PI works with the specialist to develop a timeline and complete the proposal.

Step 4

The proposal development specialist develops, completes, and routes the Kuali proposal.

Step 5

Sponsored Programs Office staff submit the proposal to the sponsor.

Proposal Assistance Request

As you complete the form, provide as much information as possible and either attach or provide a link to the funding opportunity.

Please allow us 24 to 48 hours from the time you submit a request to assign a specialist and schedule a meeting.

Submit Request Form

Proposal Development Specialists

 

Alyson Straquadine

Alyson.straquadine@usu.edu

435-553-9332

Cache County

Hunter Gabel

Hunter.gabel@usu.edu

385-468-4829

Salt Lake County

Proposal Development Support Services

 

Extension proposal development specialists help PD/PIs meet deadlines, comply with relevant policies, and increase the competitiveness of proposals by providing the following services.

Funding Opportunity Identification

Inform PD/PIs about funding databases and sources such as GrantForward, Grants.gov, and the Utah State Funding Portal, and assist with account and profile creation.

Funding Announcement Analysis

Assess project eligibility, alignment, and competitiveness.

Project Management Support

Schedule kick-off meetings, create proposal completion schedules, break down proposal requirements, and facilitate team meetings.

Narrative Content Recommendations

Review final proposal drafts for responsiveness to the solicitation, organization, clarity, and grammar, and compare proposal components for consistency.

Budget Development Support

Identify allowable and unallowable costs, use current salary and wage amounts, apply correct fringe benefit and inflation rates, confirm indirect cost rates, verify cost sharing authorization, and align the budget with the budget narrative.

Kuali Entry

Create, complete, and route Kuali proposals, complete required internal forms, request required subaward documents, and help interested PD/PIs learn Kuali.

Team Development & Resource Connections

Identify potential research partners and connect PD/PIs with campus resources such as the Office of Research, IRB, and IACUC.

Off-Campus F&A Rate Justification

Explain USU’s rate determination policy and the process to request an off-campus classification.

Complete F&A Form

Sponsored Programs Office Liaison

Serve as liaison with the Sponsored Programs Office to facilitate proposal compliance and timely submission, attend proposal development and sponsored programs meetings, and share policy updates with PD/PIs.

Post-Submission Revisions

Assist with scope of work, budget, award and subaward revisions and amendments.

Proposal Development Lead Times

 

The time it takes to complete a proposal or grant application depends on the complexity of the funding opportunity, the number of involved project directors or principal investigators, and the number of involved institutions. A typical federal grant application takes six to eight weeks to complete. State grant opportunities are sometimes federal flow-through funding with the same requirements.

Because Extension proposal specialists work on a first-come, first-served basis, the level of service available depends on how much time remains before the deadline when a request is submitted. As soon as you identify a funding opportunity you would like to apply for, complete a proposal assistance request form, even if the opportunity is forecasted and has not yet been released.

Multi PD/PI-Institution Project

3 Months

Before internal deadline

Multi PD/PI-Unit Project

2 Months

Before internal deadline

Single PD/PI Project

1 Month

Before internal deadline

All requests for sponsored funding, such as proposals in response to funding announcements or verbal requests for proposals, must be internally approved through a completed Kuali proposal prior to submission. To be complete, a Kuali proposal must contain a final budget and final versions of all required attachments, including support letters.

Once a Kuali proposal is complete, a proposal development specialist will submit it into routing for internal approvals. After approvals are complete, a Sponsored Programs Office proposal analyst will review and approve the proposal. Since it usually takes a few days to obtain the required approvals before the analyst review, completed Kuali proposals must be submitted into routing a few days before SPO’s four-day deadline.

Review Sponsored Programs Office deadline information

Kuali Research

 

USU uses Kuali Research to streamline proposal development, facilitate research compliance, and manage workflow. Usually, an Extension proposal development specialist completes Kuali entry for PD/PIs.

PD/PIs who want to learn Kuali can work with an Extension proposal development specialist or contact Dan Perry for one-on-one training. Learn more about Kuali Research.

Donations, Sponsored Projects & Purchasing Contracts

 

At USU, donations and gifts route through University Advancement, sponsored projects route through Sponsored Programs, and general procurement contracts route through Purchasing and Contract Services.

Each of those offices has authorized delegates who may sign agreements, grants, or contracts. Individuals who sign contracts without delegated authority risk personal liability.

The term grant is sometimes used for both donations and sponsored projects. For help distinguishing a donation or gift from a sponsored project, refer to the Gift vs. Sponsored Project Determination chart.

Training

 

Funding Opportunities

 

Resources