Introduction
Getting Started
Who can help me navigate UNMC’s research infrastructure?
Your department administrator and Sponsored Programs Administration (SPAdmin) grant specialists understand UNMC’s research infrastructure and can guide you. You should notify both as soon as you identify a funding opportunity you plan to pursue. Identify your SPAdmin grant specialist at https://www.unmc.edu/spa/about/my-contact.html. SPAdmin contact information: Web site: https://www.unmc.edu/spa/ Phone: 402-559-7456 Email: spadmin@unmc.edu
Does UNMC offer grant writing assistance?
Yes, researchers can request grant and manuscript editing assistance through the Research Editorial Office. Web: https://www.unmc.edu/vcr/cores/research-editorial/ Phone: 402-559-4132 Email: grantseditor@unmc.edu
Roles and Responsibilities for Research Administration
Effective sponsored project management
Effective sponsored project management is a collaboration among Principal Investigator(s); Departmental Administrators and other research staff; Sponsored Programs Administration (SPAdmin); and Sponsored Programs Accounting (SPAccount).
Principal Investigator
College, Department, or Unit Administrators and other research staff
Sponsored Programs Administration (SPAdmin) staff
Web: https://www.unmc.edu/spa/
Phone: 402-559-7456
Email: spadmin@unmc.edu
Sponsored Programs Accounting (SPAccting) staff
Web: https://info.unmc.edu/management/finance/spaccounting/*
Phone: 402-559-5822
Who can sign grant proposals prior to submission?
The Director of SPAdmin or a designee are the only personnel who can officially sign grant proposals, subcontracts, and internal forms as the institutional official for sponsored projects at UNMC. A SPAdmin grant specialist reviews the application first to be sure it is complete and then will obtain the institutional signature for the applicant.
Considerations When Preparing a Federal Grant Application
Read the instructions early, carefully, and often. Early in the process, investigators should review submission timelines and requirements of the Research Funding Announcement (RFA) and the programmatic guidelines. The applicant should communicate the information as soon as possible to anyone helping them with their grant application, including their department administrator and designated SPAdmin grant specialist.
How are federal grant applications submitted at UNMC?
Federal grant applications are prepared by investigators and departmental personnel, and submitted using Cayuse424, a system-to-system interface that:
Link to Cayuse424 (log in with UNMC net ID and password) Web: https://idp.unmc.edu/idp/profile/SAML2/Redirect/SSO?execution=e1s1
Contact your SPAmin grants specialist for questions about using Cayuse424.
Preparing Non-federal Grant Applications
Investigators need to be aware of submission deadlines and requirements of the Research Funding Announcement and programmatic guidelines. Communicating this information to your department administrator and SPAdmin grant specialist as soon as possible is critical for establishing timelines and generating project support.
How are non-federal grant applications prepared at UNMC?
Investigators and departmental personnel prepare non-federal grant applications in accordance with sponsor guidelines. Many non-federal sponsors also use federal NIH forms, such as the PHS 398 face page and the detailed budget, checklist, biosketch, and other support forms. Be sure you are using the most current version of the guidelines and required forms, which are on the NIH Web site at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm.
Submitting Federal and Non-federal Applications
Are there prerequisites to submitting a grant application?
NIH submissions require an eRA Commons ID and password. This eRA Commons ID is also required on every NIH Biosketch submitted. To request an ID and password for the Principal Investigator and an ID for other key personnel, including graduate students, contact SPAdmin at 402-559-7456.
Required internal budget and other forms must be routed through the appropriate Department and College units and signed by UNMC’s institutional official prior to grant submission. For more information, see section 6 below, Research Administration for Grants and Subcontracts.
Are there minimum time requirements for Sponsored Programs review prior to grant application?
Draft applications should be sent to SPAdmin for review at least three business days (ideally five business days) before the submission date. SPAdmin carefully reviews all forms, including the budget and program requirements, to correct errors or inconsistencies that would disqualify the grant from review. NIH and other sponsors can and will disqualify grant applications that do not comply with instructions.
Who submits the final grant application?
After SPAdmin review and signature by UNMC’s institutional official, SPAdmin submits the application to the sponsor. Federal applications are submitted to www.grants.gov directly from Cayuse424, and non-federal applications are submitted electronically or shipped per sponsor guidelines. Departments may transmit or ship applications themselves if they wish, but only after receiving SPAdmin approval and by making arrangements in advance with SPAdmin.
Sponsor guidelines specify how to submit applications. Guidelines generally include an identifier (e.g. Funding Opportunity Announcement number), due date and time, paper or electronic submission instructions, required contact and format, award amount (including F&A), period of performance, and eligibility requirements. Guidelines may be program-specific or generally applicable to the sponsor. Be sure that you are working from the current version of the guidelines.