Proposal Development and Writing Support
Proposal Development Services
The Proposal Development Services (PDS) team offers extensive services and resources to UC Davis researchers to assist in the development and submission of extramural funding proposals, including individual research grants, individual fellowships, larger center-scale and team grants, equipment grants, and institutional training grants. The unit provides early career research support, project management for large team grants, and a toolbox with templates, training opportunities, and resources to facilitate successful proposals.
Quick links:
- Supplemental Documents Resources (SciENcv, DMS, etc.)
- Early Career Resources
- Proposal templates (DoD, DOE, USDA, NSF, NIH, etc.)
- Budget and Research Admin Resources
More about Proposal Development Services
For WSVM facilities and resources templates visit the following:
WSVM Facilities and Resources Templates
Grantsmanship Learning Lab
This self-paced Grantsmanship Learning Lab was created by the Proposal Development Services team. Our goal in creating this resource is to improve researcher confidence and success in grant writing, which benefits the overall research enterprise at UC Davis.
Modules include:
- How and where to get help on campus
- Developing Your Grantsmanship Strategy
- Strategies for Finding Funding
- Beyond Research Project Grants
- Reading an RFP
- Developing Your Pitch
- Framing the Project Description
- Developing Your Project Description
- Revising and Resubmitting
- Broader Impacts
- About You: Building a Biosketch
- Science Communication: How to talk about your research
- Spit & Polish - Text Formatting, Style and Layout
- Grant Visuals and Design
- Grammar Hammer - Common Mistakes in Scientific Writing
Corporate or Foundation Grant Proposals
Development officers may be available to assist with corporate or foundation grant proposals, relationship management, or outreach. To identify the appropriate contact, email the Foundation and Corporate Engagement office at [email protected] or contact Shari Kawelo, WSVM Development, at [email protected].
Clinical and Translational Science Center (CTSC) Support and Tools
The Clinical and Translational Science Center provides a comprehensive array of services to help the research community advance translational science. Resources include:
- Boilerplate Text for Grants
- Consultations and Office Hours
- Data Loofah Data Assessment Tool
- Data Management and Sharing
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Cite the Grant
- How to Request a CTSC Voucher
- How to Request a Letter of Support
- NIH Public Access Compliance Instructions
- and more
Research Skills Workshops by UC Davis Health
- R-Award Seminar Series
- R-Award Program (RAP)
- NIH Roadmap: Grant Process Overview
- and more
UC Davis Health Webinars and Workshops
Environmental Health Sciences Center Monthly Aims Review Meetings
Our monthly Aims Review, a part of our Career Development Program, helps investigators prepare to submit intramural or extramural research proposals by reviewing the project's Specific Aims. Investigators preparing to submit a grant proposal are invited to share their Specific Aims page and get feedback from experts in Epidemiology, Exposure Science, Toxicology, Biostatistics, Translational Medicine, and Community-Based Participatory Research.
Data Management Planning with DMPTool
- The DMPTool from the California Digital Library is an online tool for creating data management plans.
- Funder-specific templates and resources are available to guide you through the process of creating a data management plan that is in compliance with funder requirements.
- Email [email protected] to schedule a consultation related to the organization, storage, preservation, and sharing of data as well as support with using the DMPTool.
Access the Data Management Planning Tool
Research Policies and Compliance
Agreements Guidance
CDA/NDA
A Confidentiality Agreement, also called a Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA), a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) or a Secrecy Agreement, establishes a legal record for preserving privileged or proprietary information and is generally designed to protect the confidential information of both parties for a defined time. Both UC Davis and its industry collaborators, sponsors, and licensees have an interest in maintaining the confidentiality of their proprietary information. A Confidentiality Agreement may be a necessary precedent to a sponsored research agreement or a clinical trial agreement with industry.
MTA/DTA
A Material/Data Transfer Agreement (MTA/DTA) is an agreement between UC Davis and one or more outside entities, (e.g., another university, a company, or a non-profit organization), that covers the transfer of proprietary tangible research materials, and/or the transfer of any data and information. These agreements are important to preserve rights and set expectations between the parties involved.
ROI
Submitting an Invention Disclosure, also called a Record of Invention (“ROI”), is the first step in protecting your interests, and the ideal time to do so is before your invention has been published, publicly presented, or discussed outside of UC Davis.
MOU
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is typically a high-level statement of mutual interest to explore or outline a collaboration (often describing general goals, activities, and logistics). It is recommended to start with the UC Davis MOU template whenever possible as it is explicitly non-binding and does not commit university funds, staff, facilities, or other resources. It will also cut down on negotiating time. Faculty are advised to refrain from signing MOUs on behalf of the university. Only duly authorized persons may sign after review by the appropriate office such as Office of Research or Global Affairs if international. Visit the Global Affairs Agreement Types and Templates page for further information.
UC Davis Research Policies and Compliance
All Policies and Regulations that govern the conduct of research at UC Davis are available on the Office of Research website
UC Davis Research Policies & Regulations
Research Definitions
Cayuse SP
All new research proposals must be submitted using Cayuse SP.
Cayuse SP is designed to manage research operations and provide a framework to track and report on sponsored program activities. It manages the life cycle of sponsored projects with Cayuse SP, a flexible, user-friendly Web application designed to reduce complexity, improve collaboration, and provide visibility from pre-award through post-award.
Cayuse 424 continues to be available for all Grants.gov submissions.
Training resources:
- Cayuse SP training page
- Cayuse 424 training page
- Recorded trainings from the UC Davis Office of Research
FAQ's - https://research.ucdavis.edu/research-support/proposals/spo-proposal/spo-faqs/
For further assistance, please email [email protected]
Types of Research Grants
New (unsolicited; solicited)
A formal request to a sponsor for funds to support a new project. A solicited proposal is submitted to a sponsor in response to an RFA, RFP, RFQ or PA. An unsolicited proposal is one that is not in response to a published request.
- Visit the Sponsored Program’s Proposal page for more details.
- All Institutional Information required for proposals is available online.
- Templates for the common proposal elements are also available online.
Renewal
A renewal application or proposal is a competitively reviewed proposal which builds upon the original work performed. It generally extends the scope of the original work, extends the time period, and includes a request for additional funds.
Revision
A revision proposal is a modified and resubmitted request for funding (proposal) for a project that was previously not funded either because it was denied by the sponsor or withdrawn by the principal investigator.
Subaward/Subcontracts
An agreement with a third-party organization performing a portion of a UCD research project or program. The terms of the relationship (subgrant/subcontract) are influenced by the prime agreement, detailing the award to the University. A subrecipient works collaboratively with the prime award recipient to carry out a portion of the prime award’s scope of work.
Supplemental Proposal
A supplemental proposal is a request to the sponsor for additional funds for an ongoing project during the approved performance period. A supplemental proposal may result from increased costs, modifications in design, or a desire to add a closely related component to the ongoing project. Some sponsors also offer supplemental programs which are designed to fund the hiring of minority or undergraduate students.
No-Cost Time Extension
An extension of the period of performance beyond the expiration date to allow the principal investigator to complete a project at no additional cost to the sponsor.
Non-competing continuation grants
Non-competing continuation grants are submitted when a project has been guaranteed funding for multiple years. A continuation application is submitted annually after the first year, for each subsequent year of the project. For the NIH, a non-competing continuation application uses the PHS-2590 application kit. The applicant is required to provide a progress report and note any changes in the personnel budget. The initial Notice of Award received by the PI should state if the NIH Streamlined Non-competing Continuation Procedures (SNAP) can be followed.
Just-In-Time Requests (JIT)
For programs and award mechanisms they specify, some sponsors allow the submission of certain elements of a competing application to be deferred until after the submission deadline. Commonly called Just-in-Time (JIT) requests, these elements are to be submitted when requested by the sponsor. JIT requests may include:
- Budget revisions and clarifications
- Other Support documents
- Certification of Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval of the project’s proposed use of human subjects (when applicable)
- Evidence of compliance with the education in the protection of human subjects requirement
- Verification of Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) approval of the project’s proposed use of live vertebrate animals (when applicable)
- Additional certifications or other items as requested by the sponsor.
The sponsor will notify the Principal Investigator (PI), department administrator or SPO if a JIT submission is required.
More details on the Office of Research Post-Proposal Actions page.