Where can I locate research funding opportunities? How do I develop a competitive proposal? Where do I find the data needed to complete my proposal? What is a data management plan? What is required for a federal proposal? Who do I contact with questions?
It takes considerable time and effort to develop a successful proposal — in fact, proposal success rates average 20–33%, depending on the field. Funding agencies reject half the proposals they receive because the applicant did not follow instructions, or the proposal did not match the funding program. The rewards for obtaining research funding can be great, enabling you to explore new frontiers, instruct your students in the conduct of research, and yield new discoveries to grow knowledge of benefit to society.
This guide will assist faculty in the development of successful funding proposals. Please also refer to the University Research Administration pages for more information regarding proposal development and support services.
Also see:
- The PSD-LBC Roles and Responsibilities Matrix explains expectations of PIs, the GCAs, and URA and other areas during the proposal process.
- Proposal Development Process for Researchers: This infographic provides an overview of the proposal development process for researchers and grant administrators, as well as post-award processes for researchers.
- Expectations for faculty in the proposal development process, a quick guide to pre-award development for faculty.
- What happens behind the curtain? An overview of pre-award process for faculty and research administrators.
- Proposal Development Resources from the Office of Research Development
- IT Services Research Resources for Proposal Development.
- Experts Search provides searches by topic or faculty name
Research in the PSD is also augmented by collaboration with Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory, both of which are located in the suburbs of Chicago. These collaborations provide researchers with easy access to unique, large-scale experimental resources in high-energy physics and in solid-state, nuclear, and low-temperature physics, chemistry, computer science, and environmental science.
We invite you to explore the websites of the Physical Sciences Division (PSD) departments, institutes, and centers to learn more.