Proposal Development
From initial idea to final submission, the Office of Applied Research and Grants is here to support the development of strong, competitive proposals. We encourage faculty and staff to reach out early to discuss project concepts and explore funding strategies.
To make the most of our initial conversation, please come prepared with the following (as available):
- A brief project summary or abstract
- Any identified funding opportunities or areas of interest
- Preliminary budget needs or considerations
- Desired timeline for the project
We’re here to help you turn great ideas into successful proposals.
Samples and Templates
Federal Resources
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Submitting a proposal to the National Science Foundation typically begins with identifying a relevant program and reviewing the associated solicitation. Investigators are encouraged to contact the program officer to discuss project fit. Once a concept is developed, the proposal is prepared and submitted through Research.gov, following NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG).
- NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
- How to Register for an NSF id in research.gov
- How to initiate a new proposal in NSF
- Drafting Your Biosketch and Current & Pending Support Documents with SciENcv
- Broader Impacts
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant application process is comprehensive, and you should plan well in advance to ensure all the appropriate forms are completed. All NIH applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by authorized institutional officials - individual PIs cannot submit directly and must work through MSOE's sponsored programs office, where an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) handles the actual submission. When preparing an NIH application, proposers should review the specific solicitation and the NIH SF424 Application Guide. Once submitted through Grants.gov, the application transfers to eRA Commons, where you can track your application status, view reviewer comments (if not funded), submit progress reports (if awarded), and manage your grant.