The COTA Proposal Studio is your one-stop-shop to support you in developing and submitting proposals for funding opportunities outside the college, whether inside UF or from external funding bodies. See the outline of steps below to submit a strong proposal.
Find Funding: After developing your project idea, it is time to find the right funding opportunity for your project. Here are links for finding funding: faculty funding and student funding.
Here is a starter checklist to lay out your basic project details to help you match to the right funding opportunity.
Assess Feasibility: Look more closely at whether the funding opportunity is a good fit for your project. Check what expenses and time period it funds, and browse past awards. Talk to your Director to discuss unit support. Contact the Proposal Studio and we’ll look at the funding opportunity with you too and demystify the fine print before you invest more time.
Notify Proposal Team: If you haven’t already, contact the Proposal Studio and let us know that you plan to submit a proposal.
- This will allow us to help you determine the correct way the proposal should be submitted (UFIRST, UF Foundation, UFOLIO, InfoReady, or as an individual).
- We will assist with setting preliminary deadlines to ensure a successful submission
- Let us know areas where you might need additional assistance (e.g., assistance writing a budget justification).
Prepare Proposal: Begin preparing your proposal for submission.
- The Proposal Studio will help you determine what documents will be needed and give you a budget template with updated indirect cost percentages and salary rates.
- The proposal studio will also complete the UFIRST submission form for you, assist you with your budget, and direct you to other assistance as needed.
- The proposal studio can direct you how to work with your Director, UF and COTA Advancement Teams, COTA Fiscal and HR Teams, and others who can help you to prepare your proposal.
- The Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Initiatives will review your proposal narrative and offer constructive feedback.
- More proposal preparation support is coming soon!
Proposal Approvals and Submission: Consult the Proposal Studio for internal deadlines, as these will differ based on the way the proposal will be submitted. For grants and fellowships that will be received through the UF Office of Research, proposals must be approved by the Director and Dean and sent to the Division of Sponsored Programs 9 am the day prior to the sponsor deadline. In order to help you meet this deadline, please send your proposal materials to the Proposal Studio at least one week before the deadline. Your school, center, or institute may also have an earlier deadline – check with them as well.