Is there a clearing house for sending grants off campus?

The Office of Grant and Contract Administration (OGCA) is responsible for the review, processing and submission of proposals to external sponsors.

What steps do I take to apply for off-campus funding?

Once you have identified your funding needs and have started to develop your project ideas it is important to scan the funding environment to see what is available in the way of funding opportunities. The best way for UMASS Amherst members to do this is to use funding resources available in the Office of Research Affairs (ORA). The ORA is also available to help you make contact with a funding agency and to develop your proposal. You should then prepare proposal in accordance with sponsor guidelines, request for proposals, program announcement or similar document if applicable. Once the proposal is complete, the following steps will help facilitate proposal submission:

-Complete Internal Processing Form (IPF) (downloadable form on OGCA page) reflecting specific information contained in the proposal;

-Obtain approval signatures on IPF, as indicated on the bottom of page

2. Usually signatures will be from Principal Investigator (PI), Department Head/Chair, and the Dean. If this is a cross-disciplinary project, other signatures may be required; refer to instructions on the back sides of the IPF. If other institutions are involved, call OGCA (545-0296), requesting to speak with the fiscal administrator handling the specific agency that you are applying to.

-Deliver proposal, IPF and guidelines to OGCA in the Research Administration Building 5-7 working days prior to sponsor's posted deadline. OGCA will review and, once all is in order and proposal is approved for submission, will Xerox, package and mail proposal to sponsor. A fully-signed copy of the proposal, IPF, and transmittal letter from OGCA to sponsor will then be forwarded to the PI.(Department Heads, Deans, Directors, etc. receive fully signed copies of the IPF).

Note - OGCA would be glad to answer questions while you are preparing your proposal, and would appreciate hearing from you when you are planning to submit an unusually large or complex proposal, especially those in response to RFP's and the like. This will enable both parties to be more prepared and effective in the submission to the sponsor.

The Office of Grant and Contract Administration has a number of steps well documented at their web site to help you through the process of submitting a proposal.

What are matching funds?

The definition of matching funds can vary considerably from one funding source to another. Some funding sources will only allow actual cash matches, while others are much more flexible, allowing applicants to include the value of donated services, volunteer labor, or even the value of past awards from other funding sources. If the funding source's materials don't clearly define "matching funds," it's always a good idea to call for a clarification.

What if I miss a deadline?

It is important to carefully note grant deadlines and submit your proposal on time. In an effort to be fair to all applicants, most granting agencies do not accept grants which are submitted late. Read the application guidelines carefully, and note whether or not you must deliver the grant by the deadline date, or if it can be postmarked with that date on your envelope -- sometimes this can make all the difference!

What is the difference between contracts and grants?

The difference between a contract and a grant is not always cut and dried but it is safe to say that a funder plays a much more active role in initiating a contract. Most contracting is done by government agencies, departments, and institutes; very little is done by foundations. Generally, a contract is a tool used to purchase goods or services. The funder identifies a need, outlines the program and then solicits bids from interested and qualified organizations. In the case of a grant, the grantee initiates a proposal based on general guidelines stated by the funder. A proposal defines the objectives of the project and the uses to which the grant funds will be put. Grants are most often made to support services or research.

What are eligible costs?

Each funding agency provides a list of what it will and will not fund in its grant guidelines. For example, some agencies may fund the cost of receptions, while others may not. If you are applying to an off-campus funding organization, we recommend that you consult the Office of Grants and Contract Administration's web site for detailed information about the University's requirements for submitting grants to off-campus organizations.

How do I get funding from local businesses for my project?

Local businesses will frequently make small donations provided that they are assured that they will be prominently identified as a sponsor of or a contributor to your activity. They may be willing to donate gift certificates for their goods or services, or in some case donate their goods or services directly (such as restaurant contributing food to an event). Large donations are most likely possible when your project is directly related to the goals of the business or its owners.

What should I do after I receive a donation from a local business?

Make sure the business receives recognition for their donation more than once. Send them a personal thank you note. Notify the Records and Gift Processing Office (by clicking on the underlined words or by calling the office at 545-4721) so that the business can receive a receipt for their donation.

This is my first time writing a grant. Who can I contact for help on campus?

Off Campus Grants: There are three areas on campus that you should consult for assistance with writing a grant to off-campus agencies: The Office of Foundation Relations is responsible for managing the University's relationships with private foundations. Please contact them if you are considering applying to a foundation for funding for your scholarly projects at 545-5867. The Office of Foundation Relations also offers training workshops for groups of six or more on campus please ohone them for more information. The Office of Research Affairs will assist you in locating an appropriate granting source for your project while the Office of Grants and Contracts Administration processes all the paperwork related to your grant. We also recommend that you discuss your ideas with your department chair or program director for information about previous grant proposals submitted by your department.

On Campus Grants: There are several on-campus funding agencies listed on this site. Most of these organizations have detailed application forms and guidelines which will assist you in writing a grant proposal. Within the descriptions or web sites for these organizations, you will find the names of individuals or e-mail links to staff who can assist you in writing a proposal for that organization. Before you begin, we recommend that you thoroughly read the granting agency's guidelines, and consult the section of this web site called How to Write a Funding Proposal for basic tips on proposal writing. After you have done your "homework," feel free to contact the staff of the funding agency for help with your individual grant.

My RSO is putting on a concert. Where do I go for support?

Two great sources for this type of event are the Student Affairs Cultural Enrichment Fund and the UMass Arts Council. Both organizations have a history of funding concerts which are sponsored by RSO's, although they each have a different funding emphasis. Read through their guidelines carefully to learn more about their granting programs. Other potential sources of support for concerts are the Student Government Association's Finance Committee, the Alumni Association, and Residential and Commuter Area Governments. Remember to always check with the advisors in the Campus Activities Office in the Student Union Building (call them at 545-3600) for assistance in developing your proposal from start to finish. They will also help you to locate other RSO's who might be able to provide technical assistance (such as lighting, sound, etc.) for your concert.

I'm an undergraduate student seeking scholarship support. Where do I go to for help?

Scholarship opportunities for undergraduate students can be found in a number of on-line electronic databases. In addition, the Office of National Scholarship Advisement (ONSA) in Room 610 Goodell Building advises on a limited number of scholarship programs. All other scholarship information for undergraduate students is available in the Financial Aid Office in the Whitmore Administration Building.

I'm a UMass graduate student. Where do I find out about fellowship opportunities?

The Graduate Student Grant Services (GSGS) helps promote the scholarly activities of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who seek extra mural support for their study. GSGS provides a variety of funding opportunity information services, training workshops and individual and departmental consultations. A notice board with upcoming fellowship deadlines is located outside of the office at Room 517 Goodell Building.

Our RSO wants to apply to an off-campus funding source. What steps do I take?

Begin by discussing your project or idea with the advisors in the Campus Activities Office (call 545-3600 for an appointment). They will help you to assess the various funding options for your event or project. It is always easier to obtain funding from on-campus funding sources than it is to go off-campus. For this reason, we suggest that you first review the list of on-campus funding agencies on this site to locate a grant source. If you still feel that applying for funds from an off-campus source is your best option, we recommend that you begin by researching potential funding sources at the Office for Research Affairs' helpful web site. Here you'll find several databases which can help you to find the perfect grant program for your project or event. We also strongly recommend that your undergraduate organization collaborate with an academic department, cultural center or campus organization which has experience submitting funding proposals to off-campus funding agencies. Not only will they will help you to understand the University's guidelines for submitting grants, it will also help to strengthen your proposal!

Copyright 1998, 1999 University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This is an official page of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Campus. This page is maintained by the Funding Resources Working Group