As a formal request for financial support from a sponsor for research, instructional, or other type of project, the proposal identifies a problem or need and a persuasive plan for resolving it. Strong proposals acknowledge the values and goals of the potential sponsor and justify the necessity of the funding requested with data. 

Well-crafted proposals provide a detailed, systematic implementation plan that usually includes specific and measureable goals and objectives; a plan and timeline for achieving project objectives; biographical sketches of key personnel; a transparent, appropriate budget; and clear evaluation plan. Further, all sponsor guidelines must be followed to avoid rejection due to administrative reasons.

Elected faculty are eligible to submit a proposal. For more information, review UVA's policy on PI eligibilty. To apply for an exception to the policy, submit an RUVA Funding Proposal ancillary review with all documentation required in the policy to Stewart Craig. See the Quick Guide for creating an Ancillary Review. 

Note: Funding proposals can only be submitted by OSP and specific schools with delegated authority to submit certain types of proposals. Individuals interested in pursing funding from an external sponsor or establishing agreements with external parties should consult with school or departmental research administration and/or OSP, as appropriate, for support.

No. Differentiating between gifts and sponsored programs is critical to assuring the appropriate management of awards to the university. UVA policy FIN-001 identifies charactistics of gifts and sponsored programs to assist university personnel in determining how to handle funds associated with each type of support. 

Although OSP does not currently enforce a proposal submission deadline policy, it is best practice to provide at least 3 business days to review, sign, and submit a proposal to a sponsor. 3 business days or more typically allows enough time for a high-quality proposal review. With adequate time to review a proposal, OSP can assist in making sure that important sponsor requirements are not missed, which could cause sponsor rejection of the proposal.

Before submitting a proposal to OSP, please ensure you have worked within your school, department, and/or center to ensure all proposal signoffs are complete. Make sure that the proposal is final, in compliance, and follows all guidelines listed in the funding opportunity instructions prior to sending to OSP for review. 

The Research Administrator or other administrator in your school or department should be able to help develop the required forms, budget, and budget justification.

UVA uses ResearchUVA (RUVA) as the electronic research administration system for proposal submission and tracking. All funding proposals must be entered into RUVA. See the OSP IT page for more information about RUVA and other systems that support UVA research enterprise.

Researchers and other individuals seeking to submit a proposal for sponsored funding should refer to the Researcher Resources page for guidance on obtaining assistance with this process. Depending on your appointment, you may need to work with your school or department's research administration unit to submit proposals and complete other related actions. 

PIs and UVA Key Personnel are required to have an up-to-date Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Disclosure Profile in RUVA before OSP can sign off on and/or submit a funding proposal. Depending on the project, there may be additional requirements related to human subjects and use of animals in research. See the Researcher Resources page for links to the research compliance-related offices across UVA. 

Although each grant opportunity may have unique proposal and application requirements, some sponsors provide guidance for requirements that are common across most of their grant opportunities. Always review proposal instructions thoroughly and consult with your local research administrator.

See below for example sponsor proposal development resources.

National Institutes for Health (NIH): How to Apply - Application Guide

The Write Application section covers a range of topics, including how to find forms, develop your budget, page limits, and more. NIH also provides other resources, such as the Tips for Success video series and sample applications and other documents.

National Science Foundation (NSF): Preparing Your Proposal

This page covers the proposal budget, senior/key personnel documents, data management and sharing plan, research involving live vertebrate animals, and research involving human subjections. 

No. OSP is responsible for reviewing the terms and conditions and signing agreements. If this is a required component of proposal submission, please contact OSP as early as possible in the proposal process. These agreements can be lengthy and complex, and OSP needs adequate time for review. 

Although the PI is responsible for the conduct of the project, UVA is the recipient of the actual award, not the individual PI. The university accepts the sponsor terms and conditions on behalf of the PI, shielding faculty and researchers from individual liability. 

Yes. Research Development coordinates the university's selection process for limited submission opportunities (LSO). Sponsors may reject all UVA submissions if the institution exceeds the stated limit. If you identify a funding opportunity of interest that you believe is limited, contact the LSO team immediately. They will inform you of the appropriate processes. Addtional information and contacts can be found on the Limited Submission Opportunities page.