Proposal Preparation Process

Our vision in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering is to be a leader in research and service that improves the quality of life and fosters economic growth. To help meet that vision, ERAD is here to aid faculty in applying for and winning research opportunities. ERAD can walk you through the steps to submitting a request for funding to government agencies, industry, or other partners.

Pre-Award Responsibilities

PI

  • Identify funding opportunity
  • Share with ERAD administrator
    • Draft project narrative or description
  • Draft budget to support planned work
  • Prepare proposal support documents
  • Finalize budget with ERAD
  • Finalize narrative
  • Final review and release for submission

ERAD

  • Serve as PI point of contact
  • Assist in identifying funding opportunities
  • Review opportunity and assist with determining proposal requirements
  • Prepare AU e-Cover Form
  • Review pre-proposal and LOI
  • Aid with budget preparation
  • Provide letters of commitment or intent as needed
  • Review supplementary documents
  • Finalize budget
  • Submit proposal to OSP for review and final submission to Sponsor

Find Funding

Find funding opportunities from some of our most frequent funders by visiting the sites below or by searching with the PIVOT tool.

pivot logo

PIVOT
auburn logo

Intramural Grants Program
pivot logo

National Science Foundation
nih logo

National Institute of Health
dept of energy logo

Department of Energy
usda logo

USDA NIFA

Prepare Proposal Documents

Faculty members will develop the proposal and gather supporting documentation following the sponsor’s requirements. All proposals and pre-proposals containing a budget must be reviewed and approved by ERAD before submitting to the sponsor.

Submit draft proposals to the appropriate contract and grants specialist via email or through this form.

At minimum, the submission should include:

  • Announcement/RFP/BAA solicitation or link to website
  • Statement of work (draft or project summary)
  • Draft budget and budget justification: 2025 Budget Template

Special Topics

Research Compliance

Please follow the sponsor requirements for human subject research, animal care and use, or biological hazards approvals for the proposal. Visit the Office of Research Compliance page for more information.

Limited Submissions

If the RFP indicates the institution is limited in the number of proposals it can submit, please refer to the Limited Submission policy and process.

Pre-proposals

Faculty may submit white papers or pre-proposals without a cover form or ERAD review as long as no budget is required.

Subcontract vs Consultant 

Responsible Conduct of Research

Auburn University requires all research personnel (faculty, staff, postdocs, students, and anyone who manages or administers research) to complete the CITI AU Basic RCR Training course every 3 years. Please see more information on Auburn’s RCR page here.

Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI)

Employees responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of sponsored research, engaging in technology commercialization, and/or related activities must annually report Significant Financial Interested through a disclosure form in Endeavor. If a FCOI is present, steps are taken to develop and implement a management plan. 

Final Review and Submission

The full and final proposal should be submitted to the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) via the Endeavor Proposal Routing System for final review by 8:00 AM, 7 business days before the sponsor’s deadline. OSP will review the materials, provide feedback as needed, and issue final approval.

Once the final proposal and the PI’s notice to submit are received and reviewed, OSP will submit the proposal directly to the sponsor or return the approved proposal to the faculty member for submission, as appropriate.