Submit Proposal
Research Services is responsible for submitting all proposals for grants and contracts for research and other scholarly activities to public agencies (federal, state, or local government); private, nonprofit research organizations; and industries. Research Services is responsible for ensuring compliance with all university, state, and federal regulations surrounding sponsored grants and contracts as per university policy RSSP-201, Proposal Processing and Submission.
Its staff assists investigators in preparing and submitting all proposals. All proposals submitted on behalf of faculty, administrators, staff or students must be processed through Research Services; except for those fellowships awarded directly to individuals, principal investigators (PIs) or program directors (PDs) may not apply for or receive funding directly from sponsors without university approval.
Who Submits the Proposal?
Research Services is responsible for submitting all proposals for grants and contracts for research and other scholarly activities to public agencies (federal, state, or local government); private, nonprofit research organizations; and industries.
It is responsible for ensuring compliance with all university, state, and federal regulations surrounding sponsored grants and contracts as per university policy RSSP-201, Proposal Processing and Submission.
Pre-Proposal
PIs should contact their Grant Coordinator to discuss proposals under development and to provide information about the funding program.
PIs will work closely with their grant coordinator through the proposal preparation and submission process. PIs are responsible for ensuring that the proposal satisfies funding source requirements.
PIs considering contracts or involving external collaborators are urged to contact their grant coordinator early. Such proposals are often more complex and may require additional processing.
The grant coordinator offers assistance in preparing all necessary forms, representations, certifications, assurances, budget development, and other nontechnical data.
PIs are encouraged to contact the department chair and/or dean as early as possible, particularly when proposals include release time, additional space, renovations, or other resources that must be approved by the department, college or university.
All project investigators must complete Financial Conflict of Interest Training (FCOI) and screening disclosure or the proposal will not be submitted.
Proposal Submission
Five (5) business days prior to the sponsor’s submission deadline:
The PI submits the complete proposal through eRA system for the approval of the GS investigators, faculty, and any personnel providing and/or committing effort to the proposed project.
The PI routes the proposal/summary and internal budget to the department chair and/or administrative director/dean for review and approval.
Completing a proposal for a contract is typically much more complicated than a grant application. Investigators should allow Research Services and the grant coordinator additional time to process the administrative component.
The completed eRA approval routing log assures that all academic and administrative officials involved in the conduct of the proposed sponsored activity have reviewed and approved the proposal and agree to fulfill any and all commitments it sets forth. All members of the university responsible for the sponsored project must approve the proposal in the eRA system, documenting their accountability.
After review and approval, all proposals are submitted by Research Services on behalf of the Georgia Southern University Research and Service Foundation. As the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR), the Executive Director must approve all proposals before they are submitted to external funding agencies.
The full proposal must be routed through the electronic research administration (eRA) system by Research Services five (5) business days before the funding agency’s deadline for internal approvals. Failure to comply may result in the proposal being returned to the PI without appropriate approval.
PER THE UNIVERSITY PROPOSAL PROCESSING POLICY, FULLY COMPLETED PROPOSALS AND BUDGETS MUST BE RECEIVED FIVE (5) BUSINESS DAYS IN ADVANCE OF THE EXTERNAL DEADLINE.
Last updated: 4/27/2021