Submission Guidelines

Proposals for Sponsored Funding

The University of Central Florida’s Office of Research supports faculty and staff in preparing and submitting grant proposals. As the applicant organization, UCF has an institutional responsibility to verify the accuracy, validity, conformity, and eligibility of all proposals submitted on its behalf.

This responsibility is shared among several stakeholders, including the Principal Investigator (PI), the PI’s Chair or Director (or designee), business manager, grant administrator, and the Office of Research.

AAs UCF’s Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) (see UCF Policy 4-214), the Office of Research reviews all proposals for sponsored funding to ensure compliance with institutional, state, federal, and sponsor guidelines. The AOR also serves as the official signatory on behalf of UCF and is responsible for submitting or approving all proposals.

Proposal review and approval are managed through the Huron Research Suite (HRS), also known as Huron Grants.

Proposal Review Process

All proposals, supplemental funding applications, and pre-proposals with detailed budgets must be submitted to the Office of Research five (5) full business days before the sponsor’s deadline, in accordance with the 5-Day Rule Guidance

Additional information is available in the 5-Day Rule FAQs

Step 1: Initial Review (5 Days Before Deadline)

To begin, the PI or business unit must create and submit a Funding Proposal (FP) record in Huron Grants.
For step-by-step instructions, click here

Once submitted, proposals are reviewed by trained Proposal Specialists. The Initial Review must include:

• Sponsor guidelines (Direct and Prime Sponsor)

• Sponsor-required forms and documents

• Draft Technical Narrative / Scope of Work

• Detailed budget and budget justification

• Subcontractor documentation (if applicable)

• Consultant Commitment Form

• Portal application printout (if applicable)

• Required approvals or requests for approval

Step 2: Final Review (2 Days Before Deadline)

After receiving Initial Review feedback, the PI or business unit must resubmit the FP in Huron Grants for Final Review at least two (2) business days before the sponsor’s deadline.

This submission certifies that the proposal is complete and ready for submission.
A complete FP for Final Review must include:

• All items from Initial Review

• Final Technical Narrative / Scope of Work

Pre-Proposals

Pre-proposals are often used to assess project viability or gauge sponsor interest.

• If a pre-proposal includes a detailed budget or cost share, it must be submitted to the Office of Research via Huron Grants five (5) business days before the sponsor’s deadline.

• If it requires AOR signature but has no budget or cost share, email it to the assigned Proposal Specialist three (3) business days before the deadline.

• If it does not include a budget, cost share, or AOR signature, it may be submitted directly by the Investigator.

When submitting directly to a sponsor, include this statement:

“UCF requires that all final proposals be submitted through the UCF Office of Research.”