Proposal submissions

Below is a general overview of the proposal development and submission process. For a more detailed outline, please review Engineering's process flows for proposal submission and contract processing.

  1. Find funding and develop your proposal. Be sure to read the funding guidelines to verify that your research fits within the program's goals and parameters.
  2. Contact Angela Childrey well in advance of the deadline to notify her of your intent to submit. She will work with you to develop a budget using the information you provide. She will also work with you to create an internal proposal record in Cayeuse/Evisions and route it for institutional review and approval. This includes providing the finalized proposal documents required by the sponsor such as the abstract/statement of work, budget, justification, etc.
    • Please provide ample time for institutional review and approval, especially if faculty from other colleges/units are involved. Additional time and documentation is needed if institutions outside of Wayne State are to be involved with the proposal.
  3. The College's lead grant/contract administrator will complete a final college-level review for university and sponsoring agency compliance. If the proposal meets the requirements, the proposal will be submitted on behalf of the university to the sponsoring agency by WSU Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA).

Keep in mind that the College of Engineering follows Sponsored Program Administration's proposal submission policyProposals are reviewed and submitted on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier a proposal is completed, the more opportunity is available for a thorough review.

 If a proposal is funded, the research support team works with SPA to facilitate account establishment once all documentation has been received. Required documentation includes the official award document, proposal with budget, pertinent correspondence and any approvals such as IRB/IACUC letters.

Please note:

  • Any proposed cost-sharing (voluntary and mandatory) requires Engineering Business Office review and approval prior to proposal submission, along with a valid funding source for the commitment.
  • Faculty are NOT authorized to sign contracts or agreements on behalf of the University. Any research-related document requiring signature (a contract, award, non-monetary agreement) must be submitted to the Research Office prior to processing. These documents likely need to be reviewed and approved by SPA and WSU's Office of General counsel prior to institutional signature. Please work with Angela Childrey to initiate this process.

Proposal deadline policy

The College of Engineering's research support office has aligned itself with WSU's Sponsored Program Administration's deadline policy in order to better serve faculty members.

The below is excerpted from SPA's proposal submission policy:

"All proposals in final form, including all necessary attachments, should be submitted via Cayuse to SPA at least three (3) full university business days prior to the funding agency's submission deadline in order to receive comprehensive review. Please note that this change from five (5) business days was made in order to provide our researchers with additional time to finalize their proposals.

For example, if a proposal is due to the funding agency by Friday at 5:00 pm, it would need to be submitted to SPA no later than 5:00 pm on Tuesday of that week. For complex proposals such as federal contract applications, center grants, program projects, proposals with more than three consortium partners, and other similar multiple-unit applications, an additional two days is highly recommended to ensure adequate time for review.

Proposals received after the internal deadline:

Of course, SPA will review all proposals whenever they are submitted; however, those proposals submitted less than three (3) full University business days before the agency's deadline will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis by the designated SPA Grant & Contract Officer [Engineering's Research Support Officer] following the completion of proposals submitted on time. Reasonable efforts will be made to complete the review and submission process before the funding agency's deadline. However, a successful submission cannot be guaranteed due to the high volume of proposals at major deadlines coupled with the level of review required to ensure electronic submission system requirements (e.g. Grants.gov) have been met. SPA cannot be responsible for failed submissions of proposals received after the deadline."