You've got a great research idea and you've identified a funding mechanism that fits—congrats! Now it's time to plan, write, and submit your proposal.
That's where the UMass Amherst Institute of Social Science Research (ISSR) can help. ISSR has a wealth of resources on their website and regularly runs workshops for researchers applying for external grants. You don't have to be conducting social science to benefit from these workshops and resources—they are applicable to those in the natural and physical sciences, the humanities, and beyond.
Watch the brief videos below to hear from representatives of ISSR.
Planning Your Grant Submission
Learn how to plan your grant writing and submission process. See below for a helpful timeline to submission.
Developing and Submitting Your Proposal
This video covers developing your narrative, budget, methods, broader impacts, and submitting your proposal.
ISSR External Grant Proposal Preparation - Timeline for Success
Every grant is different, so contact ISSR or your college's pre-award services early to hit your proposal development milestones. Questions? Contact your Associate Dean for Research.
| Milestone | Deadline (business days, excluding weekends, holidays, or campus closure days) |
|---|---|
| Initial Contact with link to call for proposal, list of personnel, preliminary budget | 6-8 weeks prior to sponsor deadline |
| Budget + Justification Draft | 1 month before sponsor deadline |
| Subcontractor Forms, Budget, and Justification | 9:00 a.m. 15 days before sponsor deadline |
| Final Budget + Justification; Compliance + Sponsor Specific Docs; Draft Proposal | 9:00 a.m. 12 days before sponsor deadline |
| Initiate Kuali Routing | 9:00 a.m. 7 days before sponsor deadline |
| Proposal intake by OPAS | 9:00 a.m. 5 days before sponsor deadline |
| Final Narrative, Summary & References | 2:00 p.m. 2 days before sponsor deadline |
| Sponsor | 5:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) |