Developing a Proposal

The Grant Services Officers assist with different aspects of the proposal preparation process. This assistance includes researching funding sources, interpreting guidelines, helping with budget preparation, providing required attachments, reviewing drafts and copying and mailing the final proposal.

A request for external funding always requires some degree of institutional commitment and endorsement. Sponsored projects carry with them financial, regulatory and other legal obligations. A routing system has been developed to assure appropriate review and signatory approval.

The initial stage of developing a proposal for external funding begins with the Project Development Sheet. This form provides a description of the proposed project, an estimated budget and information related to University resources necessary to proceed with the project if funded.

The Project Development Sheet is designed to assist in defining the goals and objectives of the project. The Budget Preparation Guidelines provide information useful in formulating a project budget.

This preliminary step promotes discussion with the appropriate department chair and dean to determine how the proposed project relates to the teaching, scholarship and/or service goals of Xavier University. Such discussions benefit grant-seekers and the University by identifying early in the process whether the necessary commitments for matching funds, personnel and facilities are feasible.