UMBC Research and Creative Achievement Opportunities
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OSP Pre-proposal Process

 

What is a Preliminary Proposal?

 

Preliminary proposals, sometimes referred to as white papers” or “pre-proposals,” are concise, preliminary descriptions of projects that are submitted to funding agencies. Funding agencies use preliminary proposals (1) to determine whether potential projects address their funding priorities, and/or (2) to gather information on specifictopics.

 

Funding Agency Guidelines

 

Funding agency guidelines regarding Preliminary Proposals vary. Other information may be requested, in addition to project descriptions, such as strategies, partnerships and cost estimates. Some agencies require Preliminary Proposals to be submitted by the University’s Office of Sponsored Programs and others require them to be submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI).

 

What Proposals Require UMBC Approval & Routing?

 

The question occasionally arises as to whether or not a “preliminary proposal” requires authorizing approval of the institution prior to submission.

 

If the submission meets any of the following criteria, it is not a preliminary proposal, and should berouted:

 

·         The submission has a specific budget that would serve as the basis for anaward,

 

·         The submission includes an irrevocable commitment of UMBC resources,

 

·         The submission is going toindustry,

 

·         The submission includes items that require institutional approval like a reduced or waived F&A rate; or

 

·         If there are any restrictions on IP ownership or publication rights.

 

If any of the above criteria are met, then create a preliminary proposal in Kuali using proposal type “Pre Proposal”, and rout it as you would a regular proposal. The user can change the Kuali proposal type to “New” if and when the preliminary proposal becomes an actual project.  If none of the above criteria are met, then the preliminary proposal does not require routing.  The Office of Sponsored Programs requests an information copy.  

 

Should a proposal be submitted to a sponsor without UMBC institutional approval, the proposal may be rescinded and/or award declined.

 

Preliminary proposals submittals should also include the following   statement:

 

"Preliminary Proposal: Pending InstitutionalApprovals.  This does not represent a firm quote and does not commit University personnel, facilities or funds."