Proposals

The proposal process focuses on securing funding and setting the foundation for successful research, programmatic, and training projects. This includes identifying funding opportunities, interpreting sponsor guidelines, developing competitive proposals, coordinating submissions, ensuring compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements, and completing any post-submission updates. 

Getting Started 

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) reviews, approves and facilitates submission of all proposals on behalf of WP faculty and staff. The PI, college administration support staff and OSP work together as a team to ensure the most competitive and compliant proposals are submitted. All proposals must comply with University, State, Federal and sponsor requirements and PIs must obtain institutional approvals (e.g. College, and OSP approval) prior to submission to the sponsor. 

Proposal approvals are routed through the Cayuse Sponsored Projects grants management system.
(click here for more information on Cayuse)

Whether you are new to writing proposals or a seasoned principal investigator, OSP will assist you with: 

• • Understanding sponsor solicitations 
  • Developing a proposal in accordance with sponsor guidelines 
  • Understanding WP-specific proposal requirements (including documentation and eligibility) 
  • Understanding the process for proposal submission and approval at WP 

Timelines & Deadlines

Proposal Submission Deadline Policy 

OSP expects to receive notification that you intend to submit an application at least 6 weeks prior to the sponsor deadline. Given the level of review and compliance checks that sponsors expect OSP to complete, OSP cannot guarantee that a complete compliant application will be submitted prior to a deadline, if the applicant does not notify OSP of their intent to apply for funding at least 4 weeks (22 business days) prior to a grant deadline. While it is OSP’s goal to support the submission of all applications, OSP reserves the right to refuse to submit any proposal which we are contacted within 3 weeks of the sponsor deadline. 

What Needs to be Communicated and When: 

Proposal Development & Submission Timeline (6/2/3 Timeline) 

6 Weeks/30 Business Days Prior to the Sponsor deadline:

• • • • Notify OSP that you Intend to Apply.  
    •  
      • To do this, please fill out the OSP Intake form (Link to OSP Intake Form) 
    •  
      • After your In-take form is received and reviewed, OSP will create a Cayuse Proposal & Project in the Sponsored Project’s module. Prospective PIs will be sent a link to the Cayuse proposal where they will be tasked with populating the rest of the relevant information. 
    •  
      • For additional information about Cayuse, please click here 

2 Weeks/10 Business Days prior to the Sponsor Deadline:

• • • • Route your application for internal review using Cayuse Sponsored Projects 
    •  
      • Click here for additional information about Cayuse’s internal routing process

3 Business Days prior to the sponsor deadline:

• • • • All final materials must be uploaded into the sponsor submission system.
    •  
      • All other required materials must be submitted to OSP. 

Once all the proposal packet has been approved in Cayuse and all the materials have been uploaded, OSP will schedule a meeting for final proposal submission. 

OSP’s standard practice to ALWAYS plan to submit your application at least 3 business day prior to the sponsor’s deadline. 

Proposal Approvals 

Proposal materials will be entered into the Cayuse Sponsored Projects grants management system. Once submitted, the proposal and relevant documents are uploaded, Cayuse will electronically route the proposal and collect the required approvals. 

For more information about Cayuse’s routing process, click here. 

*Note: All approvals must be collected prior to submitting the proposal to a sponsor. In those cases where the approvals were not collected prior to submission, (insert guideline once finalized) 

WP Proposal Fact Sheets

WPUNJ Fact Sheet
The WPUNJ Fact Sheet provides official information necessary for proposals, including information about University Officials and institutional registration numbers

WPUNJ Budget Fact Sheet
The WPUNJ Budget Fact Sheet provides information about the University's Indirect Cost Rate agreement, State of NJ Fringe Benefits, and other information that may be needed for the completion of proposal budgets and the management of awards.