Pre-Award Administration
Finding the right match between funding source and proposed project is an important step in the proposal process. The Office of Sponsored Programs has a variety of resources to assist faculty and staff in identifying funding sources.
- SPIN (Sponsored Programs Information Network) - SPIN is a computerized database of funding opportunities designed to assist faculty (and to a limited extent, graduate students) in the identification of support for research, education, and various other projects. The database consists of federal and non-federal sponsors and is updated monthly to add new funding sources and incorporate changes to existing ones. A search can be directed toward a particular field of study or a particular need such as publication support, conference support, international travel or sabbatical support. Contact ORA to arrange for a pre-search interview. In addition, OSP provides Grant Alerts to an identified group of faculty and administrators who have made OSP aware of their individual research interest, area of expertise, and project enhancement needs. Informative Alerts are also sent to all faculty, via faculty@morehouse.edu, which may have a broad interest and may be most conducive to cross collaborative projects.
- Publications and Sponsor Announcements – OSP will request foundation, governmental agency, and corporation guidelines and annual reports when necessary. With the advent of the Internet, most professional entities post their funding guidelines on their Website.
- Attendance at Technical Assistance Workshops/Seminars – OSP will attend technical assistance (TA) workshops and seminars to gain a better understanding of a program’s purpose and funding criteria.
Undergraduate Funding Opportunities
The Undergraduate Funding Opportunity booklet lists scholarships, internships, and research opportunities for undergraduate students. Compiled and maintained by the office’s student intern, this valuable instrument outlines various sources of funding opportunities.
Proposal Development/Review/Submission
Grant Officers assist researchers, project and program directors with proposal development by clarifying sponsors' submission procedures and interpreting College policies related to sponsored activities. Individuals are encouraged to consult with the OSP staff at any time during proposal development. Assistance provided at an early stage can help avoid problems that might result in a sponsor's rejection of a proposal or resolve issues that could delay acceptance of an award. It is particularly important to notify OSP at an early date when responding to detailed proposal solicitations.
Given the complexity of some solicitations it is not possible to anticipate every question that can arise during proposal preparation. What certifications are required? How should subcontracts be costed? What is "off-campus?" Is approval needed from an institutional review committee? Can sponsored funds be used for facility renovations?
Typical OSP input to the proposal development process includes:
- Proposal editing;
- Budget preparation and proper costing;
- Identifying accounts for matching funds or cost-share contributions;
- Providing logistical support for items such as space and personnel;
- Assisting the investigator in complying with any relevant special reviews;
- Coordinating documentation for subcontracts and/or consultants;
- Preparing certifications and representations for signature;
- Photocopying the final proposal (number of copies required by sponsor plus one copy for the
- department and one copy for Development/OSP); and
- Coordinating department chair/unit/Center director signature(s)
Negotiation with Funding Agencies
OSP reviews all award terms and conditions, in conjunction with the principal investigator to fully understand the technical aspects of the project. Award terms relating to cost principles, payment, property, intellectual property, legal issues, etc. are reviewed by OSP in concert with other individuals (e.g., Legal Counsel, Business Office – Special Projects.)
