Step 1. Find a Funding Opportunity
Step 2. Gather Information
Step 3. Prepare Your Application
Step 4. Approval Process and Routing
Step 5. Proposal Submission
Step 6. Breathe Deeply and Wait

Step 1. Find a Funding Opportunity:

Grant information dissemination is managed by the SDSU Research Advancement Division. Please contact the Research Advancement team for help to Identify funding opportunities.

Step 2. Gather Information:

While preparing a funding application, it’s important to do your homework:

• Research the funding agency and previously funded projects
• Get the facts: double check funding priorities, the range and number of awards available, identify any potential restrictions, and gather as many additional details as possible
• Obtain a copy of a successful proposal funded by the program, if possible. Discuss the potential of your project being favorably reviewed with a program officer. (Hint: have a one pay summary ready to share and prepare questions that are not already answered by the guidelines)
• If you receive positive feedback, you’re ready to prepare your proposal.
• If you learn that the funding opportunity isn’t quite the right fit, contact the Office of Communications & Grant Information to research other potential funding programs.

Step 3. Prepare Your Application:

• Early notification is a key for a successful submission. As soon as you know you will be preparing a funding application, contact the SRD development specialist assigned to your department. Find Your Development Specialist (Login with SDSU ID required).
• Inform your department chair and associate dean that you intend to submit a proposal.
• Read the guidelines.
• Re-read the guidelines.
• Your development specialist will also read the guidelines, and is available to answer questions.
• Your development specialist is your partner in preparing your application and can assist with:
  • Budget development
  • Interpreting guidelines and requirements
  • Providing templates
  • Coordinating with potential subrecipients included in your proposal
  • Walking you through the electronic routing and approval process
  • Notifying you of outstanding compliance issues, such as human/animal subjects protocols, conflict of interest policies, etc.
  • Providing timelines and checklists to keep you on track
  • Other proposal/pre-award services

Step 4. Approval Process and Routing:

• Before an application can be submitted to a sponsor agency, it needs to be reviewed and approved by the university. At a minimum, the proposal will be reviewed by 1) you as the PI, 2) your college dean, 3) the research foundation, and 4) the director of the division of research affairs (the designated authorized university official). Other administrators of the university, such as 5) department chair and 6) vice president for business and financial affairs, may also need to review and approve your application prior to submission.
• To begin routing your proposal for university approvals, you will need to log in to InfoEd, the system used for electronic routing and submission of proposals.
  
  Once logged in, you will find proposal routing form questionnaires under the heading "Proposal Forms"
  • Routing Form Questionnaire NIH
  • Routing Form Questionnaire NIH Human Subjects
  • Routing Form Questionnaire Other Sponsors
  
  Please download the appropriate form, complete the required field/information, and forward to your SRD development specialist. He/she will enter the information into InfoEd and start the routing process.
  
  If you do not have an InfoEd username/password, or need to reset your password, please send an email to sdsurfinfoed@sdsu.edu. If you need to know who your development specialist is, please see the directory at: Find Your Development Specialist (Login with SDSU ID required).
• Plan to have your proposal finalized 5 days prior to the deadline
  • This time frame allows for reviewers that may be out of office, time to resolve outstanding issues, and last-minute changes to be confirmed. In addition, the 5-day window provides a cushion in case there are technical difficulties with internet access, potential system outages, or any other unexpected delays.

Step 5. Proposal Submission:

• Your application is complete once your proposal has been reviewed and approved by the university and the validations are successful. Your development specialist will submit your proposal to the funding agency, typically via electronic systems.
• If the funding agency requires hard copies, your development specialist will make copies and ensure they are sent.
• Your development specialist will ensure that agency receipt notifications are obtained.

Step 6. Breathe Deeply and Wait:

The amount of time it takes for an agency to review and decide on your application can range from six months to one year. In the meantime:

• If your project includes human/animal subjects, any environmental issues, export controls, or other regulatory needs, contact the appropriate office to find out what you need to prepare.

Useful Links on Proposal Preparation and Submission

• NIH eRA Commons (Preparing an application)
• NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts (preparing an application)
• NSF Fastlane (submitting an application)
• ProposalCENTRAL (submitting an application)

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