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Grants

Departmental Contacts: Valeria Cid Garza

The Biology grants staff assist faculty, postdocs, and graduate students in identifying possible funding sources, processing proposals, and overseeing the administration of grant awards.

It is best to start the application process as early as possible. Faculty may schedule an appointment with grants staff to discuss application plans, budget preparation, and the grant submission process. Staff can also provide current rates for budget items (salaries, benefits, tuition, and indirect costs) and specific wording for certain sections of the budget justification.

Faculty Role in the Grants Process

To ensure the grant process flows smoothly, faculty should:

  • Plan ahead: Contact grants staff at least 4 weeks before the sponsor deadline. Provide all draft materials required under the Grant Submission Deadlines at least 10 business days before the OSP deadline.
  • Read sponsor guidelines carefully and follow instructions.
  • Allow enough time for review, budget preparation, and SAGE routing.
  • Respect staff time: make and keep appointments. Be aware that staff are generally working on several proposals at the same time—many with similar deadlines. Other proposals cannot be set aside to expedite processing of late submissions.
  • Be flexible and open to suggestions.
  • Stay in touch with staff until your proposal is submitted.
  • Provide timely responses to staff requests for information. Delays in providing information can affect the quality and timeliness of submissions.

Faculty Expectations: Professional Conduct

The Department values a respectful, collaborative environment in all grant activities. Faculty are expected to:

  • Engage with grants staff in a professional, collegial, and solution-oriented manner.
  • Recognize that grants staff manage multiple proposals and deadlines concurrently.
  • Provide accurate, complete, and timely information when requested.
  • Allow reasonable time for staff to address questions or resolve issues before escalating concerns.
  • Raise questions or concerns constructively and through appropriate channels, allowing staff the opportunity to resolve them.
  • Understand that final responsibility for proposal content, certification, and submission rests with the PI, consistent with UW policy.

Grants Staff Commitments

Grants staff will:

  • Prepare and format budgets in line with sponsor and UW guidelines.
  • Enter proposal information into SAGE and coordinate internal routing.
  • Provide sponsor and UW compliance guidance to the best of their knowledge, and escalate complex issues to OSP/GCA.
  • Communicate deadlines clearly and track departmental requirements.
  • Provide timely responses to routine inquiries.
  • Prioritize urgent requests: Faculty who submit draft requirements at least 10 business days before the sponsor deadline will have their deadline-driven requests prioritized.
  • Attend required and scheduled pre-award meetings, or provide advance notice and follow-up if conflicts arise.
  • Make every effort to ensure accuracy in budget and SAGE entry; faculty review remains required under UW certification policy.

 

Finding Funding Opportunities

Grant Preparation & Submission

Training for Research & Grants

Grant Resources