Getting Started
Steps in the search for external funding
Note: all opportunities and projects are different, but the general shape of the process is:
• Develop your project idea
• Identify a funding opportunity
• Develop your proposal (narrative, budget and budget justification, other required documents)
• Apply for and obtain GVSU internal approvals with OneAegis
• Submit the proposal to the sponsor
• Wait for the sponsor to make the award, decline your proposal, or ask for revisions
How can we help?
The Office of Sponsored Programs is here to help you navigate this process. We can help you find grant opportunities that align with your interests and areas of expertise, provide technical assistance with proposal preparation, assist with developing budgets, and review and submit grant proposals. Contact your Grants and Contracts Specialist early and often. It will make the entire process so much easier for you.
Grants and Contracts Specialists (GCS)
As soon as you begin the process of seeking external funding, we recommend you reach out to your Grants and Contract Specialist. Your Grants and Contracts Specialist will provide technical assistance with grant and contract preparation, assist with developing budgets, review and submit grant proposals, and execute contracts.
GCS Directory
Click on the image to find your GCS
Melissa Wright
SENIOR GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SPECIALIST
Phone : 616-331-9452
Email : [email protected]
PI Handbook
The Principal Investigator Handbook is an overview of the grants and contracts process at GVSU. Use it as a reference when you are looking for funding, submitting a grant, entering into a contract, or in other ways navigating the sponsored-programs enterprise. We hope you will find this handbook useful, but remember, your best resource is OSP and your Grants and Contracts Specialist. Call early. Call often. We’re committed to making the process easy for you.
Education & Training
The Office of Sponsored Programs hosts the annual Research Matters series. These are training opportunities to assist you in to navigating the process of applying for grants and to help you become a more successful grant writer. For 2024-2025, we are developing a series of webinars for you to follow this training at your own pace. To see our current and past offerings, as well as additional resources, check out Education & Training.