E-Grants Frequently Asked Questions

I have identified a sponsor and program that may support my research or activity. How do I apply?

Contact the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. We will provide assistance in the proposal development and submission process and assist faculty and staff in navigating sponsor, campus, UW System, and/or federal and state regulations. 

How soon should I contact ORSP once I have identified a potential sponsor and program?

Ideally, as soon as possible in order to ensure the proper resources are allocated to support proposal submission. However, we can support condensed timeframes so long as the proper resources are available to support proposal development. Please note that if a proposal requires the signatures and/or letters of support from various campus officials, it is extremely important for PIs to contact ORSP as soon as possible in order to initiate requests for signatures. 

I have a project idea, but do not know how to identify funding or sponsors. Can you help?

Yes we can!  Our Office has access to a variety of databases that are utilized to identify potential sponsors for a particular project and will generate a detailed and customized search report. In your correspondence, please be certain to include a synopsis of the project. Additionally, faculty and staff may browse our online resources for intramural and extramural sponsor support for projects. 

Is it a good idea to contact the program officer/sponsor before I submit a proposal?

Typically, yes. This is an excellent opportunity to build a relationship with the program officer. In many instances, the program officer serves as an advocate for proposals and can be instrumental during the review process. Additionally, pre-proposal contact can be helpful as you develop and refine your methodology. Please note, however, that a valuable pre-proposal contact does not guarantee funding; ultimately most program officers use the proposal reviewers’ feedback to guide funding decisions. 

The sponsor indicates that only 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible. Does UWW qualify?

Typically, no. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is not a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Unless the sponsor allows for publicly-controlled institutions of higher education to apply, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is ineligible to apply for funding from that particular sponsor. This type of eligibility requirement typically applies to private foundations, not federal and/or state sponsors. ORSP can provide assistance in determining eligibility with these types of situations.  However, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Foundation is a separate 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and may be eligible to apply for funding. PIs interested in grant funding to support initiatives on our campus are strongly encouraged to connect with Jon Enslin, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, to discuss whether the Foundation would consider serving as the applicant for your particular project. 

Must all faculty and staff file a copy of proposals with ORSP?

All faculty and staff that submit proposals must file a copy with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs if it involves the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as a recipient of funds.  This applies even if the award is to an individual, such as certain fellowship opportunities.  The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs is charged with maintaining records associated with all proposals that involve the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as a recipient of funds. Investigators should forward a copy of the proposal, as submitted to the sponsor, to ORSP as soon as possible. Please note that proposals submitted without ORSP approval prior to submission and non-compliant with relevant campus, UW System, and/or federal/state law may prohibit the University from accepting an award. 

Now that I have submitted the proposal, how long does it typically take for the funding decision?

The time from proposal submission to funding decision vary greatly by sponsor. However, as a general rule of thumb, private foundations and sponsors typically take anywhere from two to six months to render a decision. Federal sponsors typically take six to twelve months to provide a decision. PIs are encouraged to review the program guidelines for information on the proposal review timeline. Please be advised, however, that some sponsors specifically forbid PIs from contacting program officers during the review process. When in doubt, carefully scrutinize the sponsor’s guidelines and/or policies. 

My proposal was funded. What is the next step?

Once ORSP has received notification that a project has been funded, the proposal and award is transitioned to Financial Services for post-award support. Financial Services will contact the PI to discuss post-award expenditure processing and provide assistance with navigating the campus’ financial policies and procedures. PIs receive notification from ORSP when their award has been successfully transitioned to Financial Services. 

My proposal was not funded. What is the next step?

It varies based on feedback from the sponsor and/or reviewers. Typically, PIs are encouraged to connect with the program officer to discuss potential modifications to a proposal in order to revise and resubmit. The feedback provided by a program officer tends to be invaluable and can often lead to a successful second submission. Additionally, based on the reviewers’ comments and/or feedback from the program officer, the PI may decide to postpone a second submission to gather additional data or refine the proposal methodology. ORSP can provide assistance with developing a proposal resubmission plan if appropriate.  Unfortunately, in some instances, the reviewers’ and program officer’s feedback may indicate that the proposal was not a good fit for the sponsor or program. If so, the PI should work closely with ORSP staff to identify other potential sponsors and/or programs to target for proposal submission.