Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
all of the rules as stated in the guidelines. Federal grant applications are now online.
All forms must be properly completed. Typical forms for a USDA project are the
cover page, abstract, project description, budget, budget justification, scientist cre-
dentials, facilities, certification, conflict of interests, and endorsements. The budget
must allow for overhead (the university's cut). For example, overhead for research
projects in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University
of Georgia is 39%. That means if the proposal limit is $150,000, the most that can be
requested is $107,913.67 with the remainder going to the university to provide lights,
air conditioning, library services, grant processing, etc. Some granting agencies have
limits on overhead amounts (AFRI limit is 22%—reaping $122,950.82 for a request
of $150,000), and the university will determine if it will accept those limits.
We can increase our chances for success when preparing the application in several
ways. First, we should position our proposal, making sure it meets the program goals
and spelling out clearly how it meets those goals. We should take some time to make
sure that the proposal fits into the thought collective of our reviewers as that is the
basis for their review criteria (even more than the stated criteria). Also, we need to
make sure that we emphasize strengths of our proposal and the investigators.
Successful proposal writing characteristics include
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A thorough, up-to-date knowledge of literature
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Familiarity with the prevailing paradigm and how our proposal fits into it
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The latest buzzwords
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Clear and concise writing
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Preliminary data that helps demonstrate the feasibility of our idea
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A track record by the principal investigators
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Adequate facilities and equipment
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A novel idea
We must make sure we know how the application is to be submitted and that it is
submitted by the deadline date with all the proper authorizations. Usually it requires
authorization by each participating department, the participating college(s), and the
university. Do not expect everyone at our university to be available in their offices
at 4:30 when the proposal must be submitted by 5:00. It is a good idea to make an
appointment with each designated official before crunch time. We need to know
what the policies are for getting the proper authorizations. Proposals that cross more
than one university require extra signatures and extra time.
After we have submitted the application, there is generally a long wait. Certain
proposals, usually long-term ones involving several investigators and millions of dol-
lars will organize a site visit for finalists. Scientists and program staff will come to our
location to view the facilities and listen to presentation from each of the collaborators.
These site visits need to be carefully planned and choreographed from the time the
team arrives at the airport to the time they all depart. They will be observing
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The ability of the team to plan, organize, and execute the visit
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A common vision of team members
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Strong support from the administration
