The Research Development (RD) Team helps researchers identify potential funding and prepare competitive proposals. RD can provide a variety of proposal support to faculty, working in collaboration with unit research administrators.

• Websites of Unit Research Administrators
• Website of Research Development Team

New and Early Career Faculty

• New Faculty Workshop Series: This series of workshops provide an overview for faculty on each of the units at Office of Research that will assist them with their research.
• Federal Agency Pitch Circles: This program will help prepare faculty to share their refined pitch with a federal agency program manager.
• NSF CAREER Mentoring Program: For faculty preparing to submit or resubmit to NSF CAREER.
• Office of Research Faculty Mentoring Program: UCF researchers are paired in a mentoring relationship to increase the probability of success in securing external research grant funding.
• Targeted Alerts for New and Early Career Researchers

Proposal Development – Support

The Research Development (RD) Team can assist with proposal planning, preparation, review feedback, informational resources, and more.

• Proposal Support available to UCF Faculty
  • Proposal Assistance: We can provide assistance with proposal requirements, planning, collaborators, coordinating documents, supplemental sections, and more.
  • Competitive Intelligence: Our goal is to enhance UCF competitive advantage in proposals submissions and future funding opportunities through analysis of past award trends and award details.
  • EARLIER: We can provide integrated proposal support on large, complex opportunities using a process called EARLIER.
• Research Resources Available via UCF Research Cyberinfrastructure

Proposal Development – Review

Proposal review services available to UCF Faculty:

• Planning/Reboot: Discussing goals and prior feedback to help plan for a new submission.
• Copyedit: Addresses grammar, formatting, grant writing best practices (e.g., organization, phrasing), RFP and sponsor guidelines, and review criteria.
• Peer: Coordinated, discipline-specific technical review (internal or external)

Note: Office of Research final review for submission and unit-level required processes also apply. RD works within the timing of those deadlines related to the review(s) requested.

Proposal Development – Large Project Support

EARLIER – Pre-Award Shared Services and Research Development have established EARLIER, the UCF Office of Research’s comprehensive approach to Large, Interdisciplinary, and Complex Proposal Submissions with a Significant University-wide Impact. Our primary focus is to reduce administrative burden in submitting large proposal efforts at UCF. We will work in consultation with faculty, department heads, deans, and directors to determine the level of engagement necessary for each proposal or project.

Proposal Development – Resources

The Research Development (RD) Team can assist with proposal planning, preparation, review feedback, informational resources, and more.

• Proposal templates (created based on the specific funder and RFP)
• Sample proposals (maintained library and can seek other samples as needed)
• Team building tools (for interdisciplinary efforts)
• Funder Toolkits (to learn more about funders and their priorities/history)
• Competitive Intelligence (funder history, institutional data, and more)

Proposal Development – Outreach

The Research Development (RD) Team provides information and resources throughout the year by offering a variety of workshops to UCF researchers. The team also facilitates collaborations between UCF researchers/partners to increase the amount of proposals submitted on behalf of UCF.

• New Faculty Orientation: Overview of teams and support across the UCF Office of Research
• UCF Research Support: These workshops provide in-depth details for UCF faculty on resources and services available to support them with their research.
• Agency-Specific Workshops: Insights from awardees and experts on: NSF, DOD, NIH, and more.
• Special Events: Networking, symposia, bootcamps, and program officer campus visits.
• Past Workshops: See slides, recordings, and resources on a variety of past topics.

For more information, please contact: ResDev@ucf.edu

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is the Pre-Award team within the UCF Office of Research. They have the tools, resource, and support needed to assist the UCF research community with review and submission of sponsored research proposals. The Office of Research is the only office vested with the authority to submit and sign research proposals and contracts on behalf of the University of Central Florida.

• Website of Pre-Award Team

Office of Sponsored Programs – OSP

• Register investigators in agency submission systems (NSF Fastlane, eraCommons, NSPIRES, etc.)
• Review solicitations
• Review proposals under 5 Day Rule process
• Officially submit all proposals, including subawards, as directed in UCF Policy 4-214
• Coordinate with other offices if necessary due to unusual requirements

For more information, please contact: OSP@ucf.edu

UCF Research Policies and Procedures

• 4-202.2Human Research Protections
• 4-209 Export Control Policy
• 4-210 Distinguishing Gifts from Sponsored Awards
• 4-211.1 Research Misconduct Policy
• 4-214 Proposal and Acceptance of Sponsored Awards for Research and Development
• 4-215 Use of Research Space by Third-Parties and UCF Employees for non-UCF Purposes
• 4-504.3 Reporting a Potential Conflict of Interest or Conflict of Commitment in  Research

Proposal Submission – Guidelines and Information

• Proposal Submission Guidelines – OR Guidelines for submitting proposals. Note: All LOIs, white papers, and pre-proposals that include a budget must be entered into Huron as pre-proposals.
• Guide for Budget Preparation: Everything you need to create a budget for your project – from calculating personnel costs to fringe benefits, travel, and more.
• Institutional Information and Facts (F&A Rates, Fringe Benefit Rates): Important information to assist you in writing proposals such as Facilities and Administrative Costs (F&A) also known as Overhead and Indirect Costs, Fringe Benefit Rates, Travel, Tuition, etc.

Proposal Submission – 5-Day Rule Process

•  Pre-Day 1 – Work with your local Research Coordinator to prepare to submit
•  Day 1 – Submit by 8am with good draft of scope of work.*
•  Day 2 – Returned with comments from initial review.
•  Day 3 – Corrections and finalize scope of work.
•  Day 4 – Submit final form by 8am for final review and submission.
•  Day 5 – Sponsor deadline date.

Note: Failure to submit a full proposal on-time will be declined and permission will have to be sought through your ADR to VPR. PI’s College and School may have earlier internal deadlines.

• 5-Day Rule Policy and FAQs Exception to 5 Day Rule Request

For more information, please contact: OSP@ucf.edu

Proposal Submission – UCF Research Foundation (UCFRF)

Research Foundation makes sure your contracts, grants, and projects are managed in a way that ensures compliance and flexibility. UCFRF should be considered for any awards, including contract and grants, donations, conference and event accounts, sponsorships, and economic development initiatives.

• 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
• Separate legal entity from UCF, but a Direct Support Organization and instrumentality of UCF
• The Research Foundation has its own FEIN, DUNS, and State of Florida tax exempt certificate numbers
• Managed by a Board of Directors
• UCF’s President, Provost and BOT appoints designees to serve on the Research Foundation Board
• Manages and supports contract & grant projects, intellectual property, research sponsorships, donations, and economic development activities

Contacts, resources, tools, and forms are available at the UCFRF website.

Please contact the UCF Research Foundation for more information.

Proposal Submission – Forms

• Policies and Procedures
• Office of Sponsored Programs – Forms for Proposal Submission
• HURON Grants – Forms for Proposal Submission
• Office of Sponsored Programs Organizational Chart – includes contact information

Proposal Submission – Huron Grants

• Reference Guides  (sign in using UCF SSO)
• Video Tutorials (sign in using UCF SSO)
• Reference Guide – How to Manage Ancillary Reviews – Reference guide that describes how to manage (add, submit, etc.) ancillary reviews on proposals, awards, and award modifications. (VIDEO)
• Reference Guide for Department Reviewers – Reference guide describes how to complete this review on a proposal. (VIDEO)
• Reference Guide for the Research Community – Reference guide for the UCF research community (PIs, Department Administrators, etc.) that describes how to create a proposal, how to complete a budget, etc. (VIDEOS) (sign in using UCF SSO)

For more information, please contact: OSP@ucf.edu

The Office of Research offers a variety of teams and tools to assure research conducted at UCF adheres to regulatory guidelines and meets the highest standards of responsible conduct.

• Research Integrity and Compliance webpage

Program & Financial Compliance

• Time & Effort Reporting (ECC): Huron’s Employee Compensation Compliance (ECC) is a system is designed to help comply with the provisions of UCF’s Time and Effort policy, federal policy , NIH Salary Limitation on Grants, and other relevant agency policies.
• Office of International Collaboration and Export Control: Striving to educate and conduct research in harmony with export control laws and regulations.
• Facility Security: Providing support to our customers to safeguard classified information by delivering security training/education and awareness in accordance with the National Industrial Security Program in support of national security.
• Institutional Review Board (IRB): The IRB Committee established to protect the rights and welfare of human participants involved in research. (more links follow)
• Office of Animal Welfare (IACUC): IACUC is responsible for oversight and evaluation of the University animal care and use program, its procedures and facilities to ensure that they are consistent with the recommendations of the Guide, AWR, PHS Policy, and IACUC Policies.

For more information, please visit: https://www.research.ucf.edu/compliance.html

Ethics & Integrity

• Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR): Preserving the Public Trust in Science through the Responsible Conduct of Research and fostering an environment of integrity and honesty in all research endeavors.
• iThenticate: iThenticate is a web-based service designed to help researchers ensure the originality of their written work.
• Research Conflict of Interest (COI): Serving to preserve the integrity by mitigating conflicts of interest in order to protect research subjects and maintain the independence of research results.

For more information, please visit: https://www.research.ucf.edu/compliance.html

Office of Animal Welfare (IACUC)

IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) is responsible for oversight and evaluation of the University animal care and use program, its procedures and facilities to ensure that they are consistent with the recommendations of the Guide, AWR, PHS Policy, and IACUC Policies.

• How to Get Started – Presubmission
• Huron IACUC – Submissions
• IACUC Reference Material

For more information, please contact: iacuc@ucf.edu

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The UCF Institutional Review Board is responsible for the protection of human subjects in research studies. The IRB reviews and monitors biomedical research involving human subjects in accordance with FDA regulations. IRB approval is necessary to conduct human subject research.

• IRB Membership Representation
• Meet the IRB Team
• Getting Started
• FAQs
• Information for Research Participants

For more information, please contact: irb@ucf.edu

The Office of Research is the only entity authorized by UCF to receive, issue, negotiate and sign research agreements (i.e., contracts, grants, amendments, modifications) with a sponsor. The Office of Research will negotiate all terms and conditions of agreements in accordance with UCF policies and guidelines.

Next Steps for Setup

Congratulations! Here are next steps after notification of an award:

1. PI contacts unit research administrator and Office of Research regarding the award notice.
2. Award Negotiation occurs via Office of Research (OR).
3. After OR approval, Award/Acct setup in Huron Research Suite (HRS)
4. PI completes Departmental Authorization List (DAL)
5. Huron Deliverables are set (you will get routine reminders from HRS)
6. PI begins hiring project staff, project preparation, and purchasing, as applicable.

Note: When the Office of Research receives a notice of grant award or completes negotiations on a contract and the award is fully executed, this fully signed award document becomes the basis for issuing an Awarded Funding Report (formerly Report of Grant/Contract Award-Form 650). If the PI has not received an awarded funding report but has had agency contact indicating that a project has been funded, the PI should contact the Office of Research.

Once an Awarded Funding Report is generated, the PI will receive an e-mail from the Office of Research. This e-mail will contain general information about the award such as the agency, project title, account number, etc. A web address will be provided in the e-mail for access to Office of Research’s server. From here, the award and other documents can be viewed and printed as necessary. The PI will also receive any agency specific guidelines necessary to administer the project. All materials should be carefully reviewed to ensure compliance with all award requirements.

Official award documents include:

• Official award notices
• Contracts
• Letters of Intent
• Final Budget
• Export Control documentation
• Official correspondence concerning award issues
• Amendments and/or change orders

Office of Research retains all original, signed legal documents. Should the PI receive originals of such legal documents, they should be forwarded immediately to the OR.

Resource Links:

• Types of Awards
• Award Negotiation
• New Award Acct Set-Up
• PI Responsibilities
• Workflow Process after Award Notification (sign in using UCF SSO)
• How to Complete Department Edits for Award Setup – Tutorial detailing steps departments will need to complete for award setup in Huron

For contact information, please visit www.research.ucf.edu/for-researchers/post-award/

Designated Office of Research personnel are UCF’s official contacts with sponsors/agencies. They are authorized to communicate with sponsors on all administrative matters (e.g., compliance with proposal guidelines, policy issues, all aspects of contract and grant agreements, amendments, modifications, no-cost extensions, and budget transfer requests).

• Post Award Team
• Contracts Office

Frequently-Requested Information

• PI Responsibilities
• Expenditures
• Subcontracts
• Budget/Cost Transfers
• Reports/Deliverables
• Subaward Setup / Modification Requests – All subaward setup (or modifications) requires the Unit (PI or Dept.) to submit an HRS Award Modification Request (AMR).
• No-Cost Extensions – Overview from the Office of Research
  • OR Standard Operating Procedure: No-Cost Extension
  • No-Cost Extension (NCE) Request Form
• Award Management – Huron Grants Videos and Reference Guides for Unit Research Admins (sign in using UCF SSO)

For contact information, please visit www.research.ucf.edu/for-researchers/post-award/

At project closeout, the Office of Research is required to submit final administrative materials (invoice, fiscal and patent reports, etc.) within the “standard” 90 days after the project end date. The timeframe may change if a sponsor has other requirements.

• Post Award Team
• Contracts Office

Award Closeout – 60 to 90 Days Prior to Project End Date

• Approximately 60–90 days before a grant ends, the Office of Research will send an automated message to the Principal Investigator (PI) via email (reportmaster@mail.ucf.edu). This message includes a list of steps needed for an orderly grant closeout.
• PI Responsibilities at 60–90 days prior to the grant end date

Award Closeout – 90 Day Period After a Project Ends

• During the first 60 days after a grant ends, costs (e.g., payroll, late orders) may still post to the grant.
• During this time: The PI and department may process cost transfers to correct errors or address over-expenditures. Once all final expenditures are determined, and financial reports are submitted to the sponsor, the grant will be officially closed.
• PI Responsibilities 90 days after the grant end date

For more information, please visit: www.research.ucf.edu/for-researchers/post-award/awardcloseout/

Post Project

After your project is finished and award closeout is completed, consider if and where your public-facing research data or results will remain available, whether you should explore potential for technology transfer, and what comes next for your research.

Office of Technology Transfer (OTT)

The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) brings discoveries to the marketplace through intellectual property protection, marketing and licensing processes and connects UCF researchers with companies and entrepreneurs to transform innovative ideas into successful products. UCF has hundreds of innovations ranging from diagnostics to displays, sensors to simulators, nano tech to clean tech, and many more. Our Technology Locator can help you find the solution that’s right for your business.

• Services
  • Management of intellectual property
  • Strategic transfer of inventions to marketplace
  • Negotiation of partnership agreements
  • Formation of spinout companies
• Helpful Links
  • About Office of Technology Transfer
  • Resources
  • Process
  • Policies
  • Forms & Documents
  • Licensing Technology

Please Contact TT for more information or visit: https://tt.research.ucf.edu/

Data Storage and Dissemination

• OR GRIT Team – Available to discuss options for long-term server or cloud storage of data.
• STARS Repository – UCF’s Showcase of Text, Archives, Research & Scholarship exists to publicize, disseminate, and provide ready access to works by, for, and about the University of Central Florida. Administered by the UCF Libraries, STARS is available to host and promote research, creative activity, and institutional outputs to…
  • Ensure persistent access to your work
  • Increase discovery of UCF scholarship and creative endeavors
  • Foster scholarly collaborations with colleagues
  • Discover open access materials and projects created by UCF authors
  • Allow you to share your work while retaining your copyright. If you own the copyright to your work, the copyright for materials uploaded to STARS remains with you.
  • Support researchers’ data sharing effort. View the STARS Researcher FAQs.

• The Research Communications Team shares research and scholarship news to the UCF community, partners and the public.
• UCF Today shares stories written by UCF authors from each corner of the campus.