Proposal Development Resources

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Types of Proposals
A proposal is a request for support of sponsored research, training or other creative activity submitted in accordance with the funding sponsor's instructions. Common proposal types include: Pre-Proposal, Preliminary Proposal or White Paper: This type of proposal is requested when a sponsor wishes to minimize an applicant’s effort in preparing a full proposal. They are usually in the form of a letter of intent or a brief abstract of what the PI plans to do, how the PI will conduct the project and why this project has merit. A pre-proposal establishes a foundation for discussion; it does not commit the PI or the University to anything. However, since these proposals often do become the basis for negotiation for funding, if a budget is included in the submission, Proposal Services will route it for the appropriate University signatures. When requested by the sponsor, the pre-proposal may be used to determine how well the project fits the agency’s priorities. Also, the preliminary proposal may determine selection for the next stage of the application, help in the selection of possible reviewers and possibly offer a chance for feedback to the PI. After the preproposal is reviewed, the sponsor notifies the investigator if a full proposal is warranted. [BACK to PREVIOUS PAGE] [TOP] Formal Proposal: Although the prescribed format of any of these proposals will vary, all should be prepared in the same general manner. A formal proposal normally fits into one of the following categories:
	Unsolicited Proposal. This type of proposal is submitted to a sponsor that generally has not issued a specific solicitation but is believed by the investigator to have an interest in the subject. The unsolicited proposal is developed around general agency guidelines, within a specific subject field, where the scope of the project is not limited by specific solicitation guidelines. Unsolicited proposal may be submitted anytime, although there may be target submission dates set to meet particular review panel meetings. [BACK to PREVIOUS PAGE] [TOP] Solicited Proposal. (Response to a specific program.) This category can include Broad Agency Announcements (BAA), Requests for Proposal (RFP) and Requests for Quotation (RFQ). A proposal submitted to a specific program should conform to the solicitation guidelines issued by the agency. Proposals submitted in response to a BAA are usually accepted at any time during a specified time frame, which may be as long as 2 or 3 years. To respond to an RFP or RFQ, the proposed project would have to fit the needs described in the specific work statement developed by the funding agency. A RFP or RFQ is usually specific in its requirements regarding format and technical content and may stipulate certain award terms and conditions. They usually have a “hard” deadline; if the proposal arrives late, it normally will not be considered. Also, most are one-time solicitations to fit a specific need that is not expected to recur. [BACK to PREVIOUS PAGE] [TOP] Continuation or Non-Competing Proposals. – This is a request for financial assistance for a second or subsequent budget period within a previously approved project period. This type of proposal confirms the original proposal and funding requirements of the multi-year project. Continued support is usually contingent on satisfactory work progress, as verified in a required report, and the availability of funds. [BACK to PREVIOUS PAGE] [TOP] Renewal or Competing Proposals. These types of proposals are requests for continued support for an existing project that is about to terminate, and, from the sponsor’s viewpoint, generally have the same status as an unsolicited proposal. Competing continuation proposals compete with other competing continuation, competing supplemental, and new proposals for funds. [BACK to PREVIOUS PAGE] [TOP] Supplemental Proposal. A supplemental proposal is a request for an increase in support during a current budget period for expansion of the project's scope or research protocol or to meet increased administrative costs unforeseen at the time of the new, non-competing continuation, or competing continuation application. [BACK to PREVIOUS PAGE] [TOP]