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RGI Application and Submission

Application deadline for 2008-'09 awards has passed.

Proposal Application & Instructions

There are three parts to the proposal, and then an electronic routing process for approvals:

1. The basic project data (lead PI data, title, abstract, biographical data, suggested external reviewers, keywords, deliverables and milestones, return on investment, budget justification, and space needs) 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.
4. The proposal routing process collects required officials' electronic signatures.

Basic Project Data

The basic project data is entered directly into the online secure Web site. It includes:

• PI, CoPI data.
• Abstract.
• Biographical data.
• 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 (New for 2007)

You are strongly encouraged to enter names and contact information of up to three 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 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 4 pages, including figures and bibliography. Include the following in your proposal as appropriate:

• Background, theoretical framework and significance of research.
• Description of project: specific 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. Enable macros (you must have macros enabled to complete the form):
   1. Start Microsoft Excel.
   2. From the Tools menu, select Macro, then Security.
   3. In the Security dialog box, click Medium, then click OK.
   4. Open the Budget spreadsheet that you saved in step 1.
   5. In the dialog box that appears, choose Enable Macros.
4. Save the file.
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 electronically, the submission is final and you will no longer be able to make changes or additions. The proposal will be checked electronically, and you will receive an e-mail confirming the submission.
5. Once the proposal is accepted, it will be routed electronically to the lead PI's relevant 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 as final by the Graduate School.

RGI Deadline

All proposals must be submitted by midnight on Monday, October 8, 2007.