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Research

RGI Application and Submission

Proposal Application & Instructions

There are three parts to the proposal:

  1. The basic project data (see below) are submitted online via a secure Web site.
  2. The project narrative is submitted as a single PDF file.
  3. The budget spreadsheet is submitted as a single Excel file.

All parts of the application are Mac- and PC-compatible. Following submission, the proposal will be routed electronically to collect required officials' signatures.

Basic Project Data

The basic project data are entered directly into the online secure Web site:

  • PI, Co-PI(s) biographical data.
  • Abstract.
  • Suggested external reviewers.
  • Keywords.
  • Deliverables and milestones.
  • Return on investment.
  • Budget justification.
  • Space needs.

It is highly recommended that you Save and Continue or Save and Exit your application frequently when working on the proposal. The Web-based application does not have to be completed in one online session. You may exit and return to the proposal from your last saved session. Once you enter a section of the proposal, e.g. budget justification, you will be required to enter some type of text even as a place holder to be able to move on to the next section. You can always return and edit any section.

Suggested External Reviewers

You will be asked to enter names and contact information for two to five suggested external reviewers for your proposal. The external reviewers should be nationally recognized in the field of expertise related to your work. Do not recommend individuals with whom you or any named person on the proposal may have a conflict of interest. Conflict of interest for the RGI program is defined as any evidence of the following relationships:

  • Known family relationship.
  • Business or professional partnership.
  • Past or present association as thesis advisor or thesis student.
  • Collaboration on a project or on a book, article, report, or paper within the last 48 months.
  • Co-editing of a journal, compendium, or conference proceedings within the last 24 months.
Project Narrative

Minimum font size is 11 point (suggested fonts are Arial, Tahoma, Times New Roman, or Georgia). Narratives are limited to five pages—up to four pages single-spaced for the project description, and one page for the bibliography. Include the following in your proposal as appropriate:

  • Background, theoretical framework and significance of research.
  • Description of project: specific hypotheses, aims, methods (including measurement tools), potential impediments to completion, alternative approaches; contributions/roles of research team members.
  • Significance of project: innovations, contributions to the field. If the project has a local focus, include potential national applicability.
  • Sustainability of research beyond RGI proposal.
  • Figures.
  • Bibliography.

Save the project narrative as a PDF document. If your computer cannot convert documents to PDF, you can download the free CutePDF Writer. After you install it, create a PDF by printing your document to the "CutePDF Writer" in your print dialog box.

Budget Spreadsheet

Before using the Budget spreadsheet, you MUST do the following:

  1. Save the template (Excel file) to your computer. Please rename the file with the Last Name, First Name of the lead PI.
  2. Close your Web browser. You cannot work with the form online.
  3. If you have a two-year budget, you must enable macros. If you have a one-year budget, you can safely leave macros disabled.
    To enable macros in Microsoft Office 2003/XP/2000: To enable macros in Microsoft Office 2007:
  4. Save the file. (If you are using Office 2007, please save the file in Office 2003 (.xls) format. For more information, please see the Campus Document Standards.)
  5. Follow the Budget Instructions included in the Excel spreadsheet.

Proposal Submission and Electronic Routing

To submit your final proposal:

  1. Complete the Basic Project Data in the secure Web site.
  2. Upload the completed Budget Spreadsheet (Excel).
  3. Upload the completed Project Narrative (PDF).
  4. Once you are satisfied with the proposal, select the SUBMIT PROPOSAL button in the electronic application. Once you submit the proposal, you will no longer be able to make changes or additions. You will receive an e-mail confirming the submission.
  5. The proposal will be routed electronically to the lead PI's Department Chair, Director or Unit Head, and the corresponding Dean or designee for final official signatures.

Once all the official electronic signatures are completed, the proposal is officially accepted by the Graduate School.

RGI Deadline

All proposals must be submitted by 9 a.m. on Monday, October 5, 2009.

Page last updated on: 09/17/2009