Funding Transition Updates: Please see Federal Transition Updates 2025 for the latest federal executive orders and research activities.
Develop Proposal Components
A proposal is a formal request for funding which outlines the specifics of the project that will be undertaken. Once the evaluation of the funding opportunity is completed, the principal investigator (PI) is well-positioned to develop a thorough and competitive submission. Successful proposals will be responsive to the specifics of the funding opportunity and include common proposal components, as well as distinct sponsor-specific required elements. RST can provide PI support in proposal development by helping with budget creation, identifying required forms, explaining submission requirements, and guiding electronic research administration.
Process
- The Principal Investigator creates a funding proposal (FP) record in myResearch and completes the information the Smartform or providing supporting attachments related to the following proposal components (as applicable).
- Conflict of Interest (COI) and Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Project Form (PDF, GW login required)
- Scope of Work
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Subrecipient Packet
- Biographical Sketch/CV
- Current & Pending (Other) Support
- Project Specific Compliance Areas
- Sponsor-Specific Required Elements [link to check list]
- Section description similar to checklist - intro of sponsor specific requirements and link to Sharepoint for each checklist.
- Special compliance areas [NSF SAI, NIH DMSP, etc.] (PDF)(GW Login required)
- GW's Institutional Information
- The Research Support Team provides support in the development of non-technical, administrative and financial components of the proposals. The RST ensures proposals are compliant, complete, and submitted on time.
- PI with the support of RST will obtain all necessary school level approval from ADR and other reviewers as needed.
- Department or School leadership provides additional review and approvals related to any commitment of institutional resources.
- Department or School leadership from collaborating schools approve the allocation of resources for their respective schools on multi-school projects.
- Once the completed proposal package is routed to the Office of Sponsored Projects, the OSP Specialist conducts compliance review of proposal components required for AOR approval. The Specialist may request additional information from the PI and RST as needed and/or consult with subject matter experts (SME) in ancillary offices to ensure compliance.
- Once reviewed and approved, the approved proposal is submitted to the sponsor based on the sponsor guidelines.
Resources
- GW Processes (GW login required)
- myResearch
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the final approver for the university?
The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) is the office of Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for GW and the office responsible for the administration of sponsored projects proposals, agreements and awards. It is the only office authorized to commit the university in agreements related to sponsored projects. All official correspondence from sponsors should be directed to OSP at osr
gwu [dot] edu (osr[at]gwu[dot]edu).- Where can I find assistance in developing a scope of work?
OVPR’s Research Enhancement Unit provides resources to help PI develop the scope of work.
Support
- For research support team (RST) contact information, click here.
- For pre-award assistance from OSP, email osp_pre-awardgwu [dot] edu (osp_pre-award[at]gwu[dot]edu).
- For assistance with myResearch, email myresearchgwu [dot] edu (myresearch[at]gwu[dot]edu).