Proposal Submission Timeline.

On-time submission of grant proposals is important. Proposals submitted without sufficient preparation and review are at higher risk for failure. Electronic submissions have added last-minute challenges to the process, including an unfair burden on grants and administrative staff and more stringent format requirements that may delay or prevent a proposal’s submission through the electronic portal.

Investigators, particularly new investigators, are encouraged to start the writing process months in advance of any expected due date. It is not uncommon for an investigator to need two months or longer to produce a fully formed grant application.

SPH grant submission timeline

One month before the grant submission deadline

  • PI notifies grant administrator of intention to submit

10 Business Days before the submission deadline:

  • PI submits all final administrative components to the Grants Administrator for review.
    Administrative components:

    • cover letter
    • biosketches for all key personnel
    • budget and budget justification
    • animal subjects documents
    • other support disclosures
    • all sub-award documents
    • facilities and resources statement
    • human subjects documents
    • equipment
    • select agents
    • letters of support
    • data safety monitoring plan
    • other attachments, per FOA
  • The Grants Administrator will then:
    • notify OSP of intent to submit and provide FOA
    • review, edit, and/or request changes to administrative documents, including all sub-award documents
    • upload final administrative documents and draft technical documents to sponsor portal, including converting budget to required sponsor forms
    • draft Proposal Summary Form and secure approvals from Grants Manager/Department Administrator, PI, Department Chair, and the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Advancement/Assistant Dean for Research Administration.

5 Business Days before the submission deadline:

  • Grants Administrator:
    • submits final administrative components to OSP, includes all BU and sponsor-required documents/forms, except for final technical components
    • completes FCOI and invites investigators to complete
    • facilitates any necessary changes to administrative documents after OSP reviews and provides feedback

3 Business Days before the submission deadline:

  • The PI provides all technical components to the Grants Administrator.
    Technical Components:

    • project summary/abstract
    • project narrative
    • introduction (to resubmission)
    • specific aims
    • multiple PD/PI plan
    • bibliography
    • research strategy
    • resource sharing plan
  • The Grants Administrator reviews and uploads technical documents to OSP for review.

 

Helpful Links
OSP Procedures for Proposal Submission
OSP Policy on Proposal Review and Submission
Proposal Summary Form
BU Institutional Numbers and Rates (including University ID numbers, fringe, and F&A/overhead rates)
BU Budget Templates (links)
Sample Budget Justification (NIH)