Proposal Plan & Development

Proposal Planning for Success

Plan Early. Submit Stronger Proposals.

Successful grant proposals begin well before a funding opportunity is released. OSPRA partners with faculty, staff, and students throughout the development process, helping identify funding opportunities, build collaborative teams, develop competitive projects, and navigate proposal requirements.

8-12 Months Before Submission: Project Planning

Establish a strong foundation for your proposal.

Key Activities

Identify internal and external collaborators.
Determine the expertise needed to achieve project goals.
Engage community and stakeholder partners as appropriate.
Define measurable goals, objectives, and expected outcomes.
Assess staffing needs and potential consultants.
Develop a project concept paper and preliminary timeline.

OSPRA Support

Funding opportunity identification
Partnership and team-building strategies
Inclusive project planning
Concept development guidance

4-8 Months Before Submission: Proposal Development

Transform your project idea into a competitive proposal.

Key Activities

Review the funding opportunity and sponsor requirements.
Meet with the program officer when appropriate.
Develop the project narrative framework.
Create a proposal preparation checklist.
Draft the budget and identify any required cost share or matching funds.
Begin writing core proposal sections, including:
- Need or problem statement
- Project work plan
- Management and staffing plan
- Evaluation and assessment approach

OSPRA Support

Sponsor and program guidance
Cayuse project setup
Budget development
Proposal organization and planning

2-4 Months Before Submission: Refinement & Assembly

Strengthen the proposal and assemble supporting documents.

Key Activities

Complete narrative drafts.
Gather required attachments and institutional documents.
Incorporate feedback from reviewers and partners.
Refine the budget and justification.
Ensure proposal components align with sponsor requirements.

OSPRA Support

Proposal review and editing
Compliance guidance
Coordination of supporting documentation

Final 30 Days: Review & Submission

Prepare the proposal for institutional approval and sponsor submission.

Key Activities

Complete final edits.
Confirm all required forms and attachments.
Obtain institutional approvals.
Submit through the appropriate sponsor portal.

OSPRA Support

Final compliance review
Routing and approvals
Submission assistance

How OSPRA Can Help

OSPRA provides support throughout the proposal lifecycle, including:

Funding searches
Proposal planning
Budget development
Cayuse administration
Compliance support
Proposal review and editing
Coordination of institutional approvals
Submission assistance

Ready to Start?

Contact OSPRA as early as possible in the planning process to maximize competitiveness and allow sufficient time for development, review, and institutional approvals.

Get the Funding Conversation Started

Ann Serra, Dir. OSPRA
serraam@udmercy.edu
(313) 993-1469

Quick Links

CAYUSE, GrantForward, Candid & CITI Programs Support
Michele Favoretto
favoremi@udmercy.edu
(313) 993-1428

Forms

Required Forms/Templates

Grants.gov Helpful Links

Working with OSPRA from project concept through award has significantly increased my awareness and understanding of the processes and UDM policies.

OSPRA Workshops

OSPRA offers a series of workshops throughout the academic year. Browse the workshop schedule and register today.

NEW Faculty Members

OSPRA Workshops offer the perfect opportunity to lean more about the sponsored research activities at UDM and gain an understanding of the process and policies. Register today.