Writing Proposals

UF provides a wide range of resources to support the preparation of a research proposal. These resources help ensure proposals meet institutional, sponsor, and regulatory requirements.

• Postdoctoral Research Mentoring Plan:
  Access examples of Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plans for NSF proposals shared by faculty members.

• Boilerplate Language:
  The standard text for commonly required sections in proposals, such as:

  • Broader Impacts
  • Data Management Plans
  • Responsible Conduct of Research

• Frequently Used Facts:
  Essential information required in proposals, such as:

  • UF Tax ID, DUNS Number, and SAM registration status.
  • This information is often needed for proposals submitted to federal and state agencies.
• Large Multidisciplinary Proposal Support:
  The Office of Research offers additional support for developing large, complex, or multidisciplinary proposals.
• Eligibility to Submit Proposals:
  Make sure to review the eligibility criteria for both faculty and students to submit research proposals through UF’s Office of Research.
• Proposal Templates and Forms:
  Access necessary forms and templates for proposals, including institutional statistics and frequently used facts that are often required in the submission process.
• Proposal Development Assistance:
  UF’s Office of Research offers assistance in crafting and submitting competitive proposals, including workshops and one-on-one consultations

Finding the right funding opportunities is key to the success of your research. UF researchers have access to both internal and external funding sources.

UF Internal Funding

• Opportunity Seed Fund:
  Announced annually in the fall, this fund supports innovative, high-risk, high-reward research projects.

• Research Foundation Awards:
  Provides grants to support faculty research across a wide range of disciplines.

• Matching Funds for Training Grants:
  These funds are available to support new training grants, fostering the development of future researchers.

Federal Funding Agencies

State Funding Agencies

Developing a well-structured and compliant proposal is crucial to winning grants. Here are key tools to help guide the process:

F&A Rates (Facilities and Administrative Rates)

• These indirect costs cover institutional expenses such as administrative services and facility maintenance. Ensure that you apply the correct F&A rates for your project.
• F&A rates differ based on the type of research (on-campus, off-campus) and the funding agency. Check UF’s Office of Research website for the most current rates.

Fringe Benefit Rates

• These rates account for employee benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans, and must be included in the project budget. Make sure to consult UF’s up-to-date fringe benefit rates when preparing your proposal.

Boilerplate and Institutional Statistics 

• UF provides templates and standard boilerplate language for commonly requested sections of proposals, such as data management plans and broader impacts. Use these to streamline your proposal writing process.

sIdentify upcoming funding opportunities from federal, state, and private sponsors using these search tools:

• Pivot:
  A comprehensive funding database where researchers can search for federal, state, and private funding opportunities.

• NSF Award Search:
  Allows users to search for awarded proposals, which can provide insights into successful applications.

• NIH RePORTER:
  A database that includes detailed information on NIH-funded research projects, including funding amounts, project abstracts, and investigator details.

• Foundation Directory:
  A tool for identifying potential funding sources from private foundations.