10.13 - Grant Proposal Policy

Funding Opportunity Approval

Prior to a grant proposal being developed, an analysis will be completed to determine if the funding opportunity aligns with the mission and vision of the University as presented in the annual budget and strategic plan.

Grant programs are most effective when they are developed to address real needs and consistent with The University’s mission. Priority and approval are given to projects that support:

• Resources and equipment for projects to which the University is already committed
• Other elements of projects to which the University is already committed
• New projects that enhance specific aspects of the University’s missions and current priorities and are self-supporting for their duration
• New initiatives that may not be self-supporting, but would enhance specific areas of the University’s missions or current priorities

   

  An analysis will also be done to assess resources that will be needed and applicable compliance requirements to determine if the funding opportunity should be pursued. The funding opportunity analysis shall be approved prior to application preparation.

   

  Proposal Budgets

  An appropriate and anticipated budget shall be developed. Budgets are the financial reflection of the University’s programmatic plans and describe the costs to be incurred by the grant project. Budgets provide a framework for achieving the goals of the project given the resources available and serve as a means to communicate that framework consistently to all appropriate staff. Accurate budgeting and adherence to budgets results in more efficient operations and increases the probability of achieving project results while still maintaining compliance with funding agency regulations. Whenever possible, budget planning should be conducted with an eye to maximizing efficiency and coordination of resources available.

   

  Grant budgets must:

• Accurately reflect project objectives
• Realize all required matching, earmarking or set-aside requirements
• Consider and incorporate any expected sources of program income or funding support
• Be correctly allocated according to any rules and guidelines, wherever applicable
• Cover all direct and indirect project costs and any forecasted salary, benefit, service, or supply rate increases
• Comply with all grant-imposed guidelines and regulations
• Be prepared and submitted according to prescribed deadlines
• Be reviewed and approved by the granting agency, if required

Proposal Approval

All grant proposals (including renewals) must be delivered for review prior to the submission deadline to ensure that proposed projects are consistent with the University priorities as outlined in the annual budget and strategic plan and that they have the support required for success. All additional information should be submitted at this time for approval:

• Supporting qualitative or quantitative data and/or calculations used in seeking the grant
• Any materials that the funder has requested
• Budgets
• Information that commits the University to terms and conditions