The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research

Preparation of a Sponsored Proposal

Following identification of a funding source or potential sponsor, the next important task is to prepare a strong proposal for submission to the agency. The proposal is the primary vehicle by which the prospective project director communicates an idea and plan to a sponsor. It informs why, how, when and by whom the activities being proposed will be done. Formats vary but a typical proposal would include the following parts outlined below.

Most sponsoring agencies provide their official cover sheets. When none is provided, the Principal Investigator should develop a cover page that includes the following:

• Title of the proposed research;
• CFDA #
• Name and address of the sponsor;
• Name and address of Morgan State University;
• DUNS #
• Name and Title of the Principal Investigator;
• Total amount requested;
• Proposed duration of research, typically given in months;
• Authorizing signature(s), minimally, the appropriate Dean and the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs/ Sponsored Programs and Research.

Sample of official cover pages (face sheets) for various agencies and a generic cover page developed by OSPR can be found in the Appendix (A-2)

The Technical Aspects of a Proposal

The abstract provides a brief summary of the project, and in most cases, within a space limitation specified by the sponsor. It is important to use words economically and efficiently in writing the abstract. The abstract should be clear, and should accurately reflect and parallel the content of the proposal without exceeding the sponsor’s page limit. It should include the problem to be addressed, the objectives to be achieved, the approach to be used and the total cost of the project. Although it appears first in the proposal, the abstract should be written last with the thought that it may be the only part of the proposal that is read by some agency reviewers. It should be clear, succinct and effective in generating interest for the project.

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This section of the proposal allows the investigator to briefly sketch the background for the proposal; demonstrate knowledge of the field by critically evaluating existing knowledge; specifically identify gaps the project is expected to fill; and persuasively and concisely state the importance of the project. It is useful in this section to relate the aims of the project to the broad long-term goal.

In this section the Principal Investigator states the broad long-term goal and the expected outcome(s) of the proposal. This should be followed with a listing of specific objectives which should be clear, brief, realistic, and where possible, measurable.

Having stated what is to be done in the specific objectives, the sponsor must now be told how these objectives will be achieved in this section of the proposal. The discussion should relate the specific approach to specific objectives and explain why the ones proposed are best suited to achieve the project objectives. In some proposals, this section may include the projected sequence or timetable for the project.

This section answers the question, “who will do what is being proposed?”  It should include a brief description of the qualifications, relevant experiences and specific roles of all the key personnel, listing the Principal Investigator first. Personnel critical to the successful completion of the project should be included even if no salary is requested. In the appropriate section, relevant publications of key personnel must be listed.

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Most sponsored projects, especially training programs or demonstration projects, may require an evaluation component. The narrative in this section should relate the evaluation to the stated objectives; describe evaluation method and data to be used; give time frame and describe resources and personnel that will be involved; and discuss the intended use of the evaluation results.

Developing a Budget or Cost Proposal

The budget, also called a cost proposal by some sponsors, is just as important as the technical proposal. It is a comprehensive planning document that integrates all of the details for attaining objects of the proposal. The budgetary process should take into account preparation for the long-range goals, as well as the short-term objectives.

The project budget is the instrument through which the cost of the project's activities, plans, priorities, and organization are expressed. One of its main characteristics is its relative lack of flexibility. The funding agency grants a certain amount of mThe budget, also called a cost proposal by some sponsors, is just as important as the technical proposal. It is a comprehensive planning document that integrates all of the details for attaining the objectives of the proposal. The budgetary process should take into account preparation for the long-range goals, as well as the short-term objectives.

The project budget is the instrument through which the cost of the project’s activities, plans, priorities, and organization are expressed. One of its main characteristics is its lack of flexibility. The funding agency grants a certain amount of money to the project on the basis of the line-by-line budget estimate that is submitted as part of the grant proposal.

Direct cost
Practically all grant proposals are funded on the basis of a line-by-line budget, which typically includes both direct cost and facilities and administrative cost (indirect cost). Direct cost is defined as the cost of the project that will be paid directly to personnel or a vendor and is clearly assignable to a project activity.

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Included in the budget should be provisions for the following cost categories:

1. Salaries, wages, technical and special fees to cover personnel needs, honorariums, clerical assistance, and consultants. Salaries requested must be consistent with the regular practices of Morgan State University. In addition to making provisions for the above categories, it is imperative that the budget includes funds to cover fringe benefits for both regular and contractual employees.

2. Fringe Benefits (employee benefits such as social security, worker’s compensation, retirement, unemployment, health insurance, etc.) should be factored into this object using the appropriate rates, which currently are:

   Regular employees	32% of the gross salary
   Contractual employees	9% of the gross salary

   Anticipated Consultant services should be justified. Daily compensation rate, number of days of expected service and per diem allowances should be included in the travel, consultant or “other” category of the budget.

3. Communications include postage, mailing service and telecommunication charges.

4. Travel includes in-state and out-of-state trips for fieldwork, attendance at conferences and seminars needed by the investigator to enhance his/her ability to perform the work of the proposal, or to present the results of the project.

   Domestic travel includes travel in the United States, its possessions, and travel to Puerto Rico and Canada. All other travel is considered foreign travel. Government sponsors generally require persons traveling under a grant or contract to travel by U.S. flagged carriers, if available.

   The current 2003 reimbursable rates under the State of Maryland are:

   • Use of personal automobile - $.505 per mile
   • Portage is $1 per bag for a maximum of 2 bags
   • For meals –

     Breakfast	$8.00
     Lunch	$10.00
     Dinner	$23.00
     Total per Day	$41.00

   Gratuities are included in the above rates for meals.

   Due to price fluctuations from state to state, the employee who travels out-of-state and is entitled to meal reimbursement may receive an adjusted amount depending upon geographical location.

5. Contractual Services include data processing equipment rentals and supplies, microfilming, film and other equipment rentals.

6. Supplies and materials include items such as printing instructional materials, office supplies and audiovisual and computer supplies. The budget should indicate in general terms the type of expendable materials and supplies that are required to meet the goals of the project.

7. Equipment includes allowable items such as scientific equipment and apparatus unavailable to the Principal Investigator for the purpose of conducting the work required on the project. Generally, equipment refers to an item of property that has the acquisition cost of $5,000 or more and an expected service life of more than one year. A brief description and justification to show the purpose, function and cost of the equipment is necessary.

8. Grants, scholarships and awards are provided for support of graduate or undergraduate research assistants to help carry out the proposed research. Tuition remission is not taxable. Stipends are taxable and should be filed as a source of income for the tax year in which the funds were received.

9. Facilities and Administrative cost (formerly indirect cost) appears as a single separate item in the budget. This item is not University profit; rather, it represents the total real costs to the university in support of the project, which cannot be directly attributed to a project activity. This includes a portion of the university’s overall administrative cost, such as purchasing and procurement, personnel, payroll, building and equipment maintenance, office space, utilities, maintenance of the library and research administration. Facilities and Administrative cost is 46.5% of the modified total direct cost at Morgan State University, approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Cost Allocation, Region III. The modified total direct cost is the total direct cost excluding student stipends, tuition and capital expenditures (building, individual items of equipment, alterations and renovations).

10. In-kind contribution is the value of such items as equipment, facilities, and supplies that a grantee contributes as its share of project costs. The value of these services must be approved by the Principal Investigator’s or project director’s Department Head and Dean of the College or School because funding of such expenses comes from that departmental budget. Explanations for the source(s) of funds to cover this item should be clearly spelled out and a copy of the explanation attached to the proposal when forwarded for review and signature to OSPR. Principal Investigators should contact OSPR staff for assistance with in-kind contribution or cost-sharing issues. All in-kind time and services must be documented. PI’s should not volunteer in-kind contributions or matching unless explicitly required by the sponsor.

11. Matching funds are funds equal to some percentage of the total project cost.  Some funding agencies may require that the applicant institution provide matching funds. The costs of such items as travel, computer time, supplies, printing or telecommunications may also be used for matching. Contributions of salaries and fringe benefits must be approved by the Dean of the College or School and the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs/ Sponsored Programs and Research prior to submission of the proposal. Contributions of facilities and administrative cost (indirect cost) must be approved by the Vice President for Finance and Management. In some cases the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs may also be necessary. Principal Investigators should contact OSPR for assistance or clarification on matching funds.

    Note:  As of September 1, 2004, the National Science Foundation (NSF) removed criteria for matching funds or cost sharing.

12. Third Party in-kind contribution means the value of non-cash contributions provided by non-Federal third parties. Third party in-kind contributions may be in the form of real property, equipment, supplies, and other expendable property, and the value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the project or program.

    Since the budget format and allowable costs vary from one funding agency to another, it is advisable to obtain a copy of the application guidelines, program brochure, or grant policy manual from the appropriate agency to ensure that all criteria have been satisfied. Pertinent sections of the sponsor guidelines should also be submitted along with the completed budget to OSPR to prevent processing delays if questions should arise regarding the cost proposal.

Subawards or Subcontracts:  A subaward is an award to a subrecipient when the prime award is assistance (grant or cooperative agreement). It may be in the form of money, or property in lieu of money.

A subaward or subcontract constitutes an agreement between the University and another party to transfer a portion of the University’s obligations under an award to that party.

Principal Investigators must make clear provisions in the budget to pay for such sub-agreements if they are included in the proposal. Each sub-agreement should be identified separately, and followed with a brief explanation of the services that the sub-awardee or subcontractor will provide, and the appropriateness and reasonableness of the cost.

Sample Budget Computations

1. PERSONNEL

   1. Salaries and Wages

      Principal Investigator (25% @ $60,000/annum)	$15,000
      Co-Investigator (20% @ $50,000/annum)	10,000
      Research Associate (50% @ 32,000/annum)	16,000
      Secretarial Support (4 mo @ $18,000/annum)	6,000
      Research Assistant (100%)	12,000
      Technician (10% @ $27,000/annum)	2,700
      	$61,700

   2. Fringe Benefits

      *32% x $41,000 (PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR, CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR, R-Assoc.)	$13,120
      9% x $20,700 (Sec'y, RA, Tech)	1,863
      	$14,983

      Consultant Fees

      Jason Starr, D.Sc. (4 x $250) Stella Bright, Ph.D. (2 x $250)	$1,000   500 $1,500
      Total personnel	$78,183

      *Assumed to be full-time regular employees
2. TRAVEL

   1. Airfare

      RT: BA-CH-BA (2 x $450) Per diem (5 days x $28 /day x 2 persons) Ground transportation (2 x $40/trip)

      $900 280   80 $1,260

   2. Local Travel –Round Trip

      RT: MSU-BA-MSU; BA-DC-Ba (800 mi x $.27/mi)	$216
      Total Travel	$1,476

3. EQUIPMENT

   Two (2) Dell PC system and peripherals Perkin-Elmer Model 5000 Atomic absorption Spectrophotometer	$ 4,400 22,000
   Total Equipment	$26,400

4. SUBCONTRACT*

   Top Analytical Services, Inc.	$7,800
   Total subcontract	$7,800

5. OTHER DIRECT COST

   Materials and supplies Communications      Telephone      Postage Printing and Photocopying Equipment service and maintenance	$1,200 800 300 1600 900
   Total other cost	$4,800
   TOTAL DIRECT COST	$118,929

6. FACILITIES & ADMINISTRATIVE COST

   46.5% X $89,829 (**modified total direct cost)	$41,770
   Total Equipment	$41,770
   TOTAL PROJECT COST	$160,699

* Note: All subcontracts, subgrants, or consultant agreements must have prior OSPR approval.
**modified total direct cost = total direct cost – [student stipends + tuition + capital expenditures (building, individual items of equipment, alterations and renovations)]