University- and Campus-specific Questions
More information on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Sponsored Programs policies is available at Home | Sponsored Programs Administration (illinois.edu)
Who is eligible to be a PI?
The Campus Administrative Manual provides more information on Eligibility to Serve as Principal Investigator.
Is there a guide to help me with proposals and grants?
The PI Handbook is a comprehensive resource that covers the whole life cycle of sponsored projects, including proposals.
How early do I need to submit this to SPA?
The complete and final proposal must be submitted to SPA four (4) business days in advance of the sponsor’s deadline. Know the submission deadline and build a timeline allowing time for Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) review and approval.
What does SPA review when they review your proposal?
- Compliance with sponsor guidelines
- Compliance with university, state, and federal policies
- Budget accuracy and proper assessment of negotiated rates
- Cost sharing
- Thoroughness of the budget justification
- Required approvals (IRB, IACUC, etc.)
What is our Federal-Wide Assurance number, Animal Welfare Assurance number, UEI, CAGE, TIN and other Federal IDs?
This information and more is available at Home | Sponsored Programs Administration (illinois.edu) and in the UI Institutional Profile.
What is our federally negotiated F&A Rate Agreement?
Documentation of rates and more information about our F&A rate, as well as fringe and tuition remission are available here.
What is the difference between Direct Costs and Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs?
Direct Costs are items that can be easily assigned or allocated to a specific sponsored project with a reasonably high degree of accuracy. Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs are costs incurred for common or joint objectives in which the benefit is not readily assignable to a specific sponsored project.
The program announcement limits the number of submissions from our institution. Who should I contact?
Please see more information about the Limited Submission Selection Process overseen by the OVCRI. The process usually begins by submitting a NOI to limitedsubs@illinois.edu.
Does my proposal need to go through SPA?
Yes, and the PDO will need the complete and final proposal five (5) business days in advance of the sponsor’s deadline. Know the submission deadline and build a timeline allowing time for our review and approval.
Does my pre-proposal/LOI need to go through SPA?
Only if an authorized signature if required. Even if you are not required to go through SPA, please notify the PDO office at NCSA-PDO@mx.uillinois.edu so that we may provide any needed guidance.
What resources are available to identify funding opportunities for sponsored projects?
The OVCRI maintains a list of Featured Funding Opportunities.
Where can I get more info or a template regarding a Data Management Plan (DMP)?
More resources on data management plans may be found below. A generic DMP template is coming soon.
Who can help me develop a proposal budget and justification?
Email the Proposal Development Office for assistance. Budget proposal and justification templates are available here.
How do I determine effort on a project?
Effort is determined based upon the Institutional Base Salary, which includes academic year salary and academic year professorship stipends, but not administrative stipends. More details are available here.
What is a budget impact statement?
What is the difference between a subaward/subcontract/subrecipient and a consultant? What is required for each on my proposal application?
More information on these distinctions may be found here.
What information is available about intellectual credit? (Also referred to as "Intellectual Contributions" or "Credit Allocation.")
More information on intellectual credit—what it is and how it is measured—can be found here.
What is a conflict of interest and do I have a conflict?
Find out more about possible conflicts of commitment & interest here.
Can I give you everything but the project description in order to submit to SPA and continue working on it up until the due date?
No. The PDO will need the complete and final proposal five (5) business days in advance of the sponsor’s deadline. Know the submission deadline and build a timeline allowing time for our review and approval.
NCSA-specific Questions
When do I fill out the NCSA Proposal Commencement Tool?
As early as possible. This is how you initiate a proposal with NCSA. You do not need to have to have all the information in order to submit via the tool.
How early do I need to submit my proposal to the NCSA PDO?
The PDO will need the complete and final proposal five (5) business days in advance of the sponsor’s deadline. Know the submission deadline and build a timeline allowing time for our review and approval.
What documents does the PDO assist with?
The PDO will develop the budget and budget justification. We also can review and provide suggestions on biographical sketches, current and pending support, and other supplementary documentation.
When should I contact the Proposal Development Office (PDO) vs. the Business/Grant Office?
Contact the PDO if you would like to discuss developing a research proposal, submitting a research proposal or other sponsored funding application, or with questions that may arise prior to receiving an award. (In sponsored awards lingo, this is "pre-award.")
Contact the Business/Grant Office if you have already received an award and have questions or need help. (In sponsored awards lingo, this is "post-award.")
Is there an available template for my Facilities document?
The NCSA Facilities Statement (updated twice annually) information is available here.
Sponsor-specific Questions
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
What is SciENcv?
SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae is a researcher profile system for all individuals who apply for, receive, or are associated with research investments from federal agencies.
ORCID : Create/Connect an ORCID iD
