Guidance for Proposal Submissions

The proposal submission process can be complex. This guide outlines key steps and resources—from finding funding to submitting your proposal—with support from the School of Medicine Research Development Unit and campus partners.

1. Identify a Funding Opportunity

UC Irvine has a license for Pivot, a funding search tool. The Office of Research has a compilation of other funding search tools. You can also request a targeted funding opportunity search from the RDU. Visit the Funding Opportunities page.

If you are specifically looking for Foundation opportunities, you can contact the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations. The Foundations group can help you find funding opportunities from corporations and foundations, interpret funding guidelines and much more.

2. Prepare Proposal

Write the proposal, collaborate with team members and compile required materials, including boilerplates, templates and checklists as well as letters of support. The RDU can help draft letters of support from leadership and route for signatures.

• Obtain pre-submission reviews from subject matter experts and grant reviewers. The RDU can facilitate these reviews. Alternatively, you can also request pre-submission reviews from the RDU.
• The RDU can also review biosketches. The Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) has an extensive grants library that has examples of several NIH grant mechanisms.
• For larger proposal mechanisms, the RDU can provide project management services.
• Review the facilities and services available to researchers.
• Obtain assistance from other groups on campus, as applicable.
  • Institute for Clinical & Translational Science (ICTS): The ICTS provides resources that accelerate the translation of research discoveries from the lab and translate them into clinical care.
  • Alpha Stem Cell Center (ASCC): The ASCC provides a centralized infrastructure from which to enhance stem cell clinical research and activities at UC Irvine. For more information, contact them.
  • Libraries: The Libraries can assist with data management and sharing plans. You can schedule an appointment with Wasila Dahdul, PhD, Data Curation Librarian.

3. Submit Proposal

• Depending on your situation, you would work with one of the following teams to compile your budget and officially submit the proposal to the sponsor. 
  • SOM Research Support Services (RSS): The SOM RSS team provides pre-award and post-submission administrative support for certain SOM departments/units. If you would like to submit a proposal, excluding sponsor-initiated non-oncology clinical trials, email the RSS team. Please allow 4-6 weeks’ notice.
  • Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (CFCCC): The CFCCC, specifically The Stern Center for Cancer Clinical Trials and Research, provides support for all cancer-related clinical trials. Contract the Stern Center.
  • Center for Clinical Research (CCR): The CCR provides administrative support for non-oncology industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated clinical trials. Contact the clinical trial start-up team.

4. Need to Resubmit?

Most proposals are resubmitted before being successfully funded. You can obtain resubmission reviews from subject matter experts and grant reviewers. Complete the intake form to receive this support from RDU.