IPF Help
Important: Throughout the IPF you may see a magnifying glass icon which signifies a look-up field. Simply click the icon and a pop-up window will appear to allow you to search from relevant databases.
* Indicates that a question must be answered before the page can be saved.
Starting A New Proposal (General Information)
- Funding Agency: Select in the pop-up window the Agency/Sponsor that will directly fund the
research/project. Generally speaking, this is the Agency/Sponsor whose name will be on the
check or to whom OSP will send invoices. If the Sponsor is not listed, select “Organization Not Listed” and you may type in the name of the Sponsor. * - Funding Opportunity/Sponsor Application Number: (If applicable) enter the alphanumeric
number provided by the Sponsor for this proposal. - Proposal Guideline URL: (If applicable) enter the web address of the guidelines/instructions
associated with the Sponsor's application. - Prime Funding Agency: (If Applicable) the Prime Funding Agency applies when the University receives a subgrant or subcontract from an intermediate funding source. (e.g., NIH awards a grant to Duke and Duke awards a subgrant to WSSU. NIH is the Prime Funding Agency and Duke is the Funding Agency to WSSU.)
General Proposal Information
- Project Name: This may be different than the "Project Title" and is used for tracking purposes.*
- Initial Start Date: Please use the calendar to select an initial start date.*
- Project End Date: Please use the calendar to select a project end date.*
- Activity Type or Chess Code: Please select the most appropriate activity type from the drop down list (e.g., Research, Training, Clinical Trial).*
- Proposal Type (Please select one):
- Supplement: Select if requesting additional new dollars, extending period of performance or requesting a change in the scope of work on an existing award.
- New: Select if you are requesting new dollars NOT associated with an existing contract or grant.
- Non-Competing Continuation/Progress Report: Select if requesting release of dollars previously committed by sponsor/agency for an existing contract or grant.
- Renewal (competitive): Select if requesting new dollars for continuation of an existing award to establish a new budget period.
- Resubmission or Amendment: Select if a previously submitted proposal is being reviewed for funding by the sponsor. The submission of a revised request would occur for the following reasons:
- Revised Personnel
- Revised Cost Share
- Revised Budget
If this proposal does not meet one of these proposal types, please contact Arnita Hill at ext. 3211 or hilla@wssu.edu to discuss the specific circumstances.
- Award Type: Select the appropriate agreement.
- Will this proposal be submitted electronically to the Sponsor?: Indicate if this proposal is being submitted by some electronic method to the sponsor.*
- Select electronic method: Choose one of the following: Grants.gov, website, email, other.
- Does the sponsor require a paper copy of this proposal or any part there of? Please indicate if any hard copy documentation is required to be submitted to the sponsor. If so, it will be necessary to bring such documents to OSP immediately.
- Is this a SNAP?: SNAP is an NIH acronym that stands for Streamlined Non-competing Awards Process. Please indicate if this proposal is being completed for a SNAP.*
- Award Admin Department (Lead Unit): Select the campus Department that has the responsibility to manage the contract or grant. This unit will receive all OSP post award information such as monthly financial statements.*
- Affiliated Center/Institute: Select other campus Centers/Institutes that will contribute space, personnel, or equipment to this project.
- Sponsor Deadline: Enter the date by which the proposal must be received by the Agency/Sponsor. Generally, OSP reviews proposals in the order in which they are received; however, consideration is given to the sponsor deadline. Proposals should be received by OSP no later than 5 business days in advance of the sponsor deadline to ensure proper review and timely submission.
- Previous Banner Fund Number (6 digits, no hyphen): If this proposal amends, supplements, renews or continues an existing project, provide the most recently used fund number. This information will assist in proposal review.
- Title of Project: Include the full title of the proposal which will be submitted to the Funding Agency. This title should match the title on the cover letter and face page to the sponsor and the abstract.*
Provide the requested information about all individuals involved with this proposal. NOTE: The research team must include individuals named on the budget, as well as administrative contacts and investigators whose research protocols (human and animal) may be used on the project (if applicable). (See definitions below.)
- Add Investigator Information: Simply click the look-up icon and a pop-up window will appear to allow you to search the campus database by last name. Please note- Lead Principal Investigator MUST BE entered first. Personal data will be automatically entered.
- If the individual cannot be found, select “Person Not Listed" at the bottom of the screen and a window will appear to allow you to add the individual manually. Please provide the person’s PID (if known), first name, last name, and click "Submit". For each research team member, enter the corresponding phone, email address, department, role (see below), and expected percentage of effort (see below). In addition, if an individual holds dual appointments and the wrong department was selected for this IPF, you may change the department.
- Roles:
- Lead Principal Investigator: Every proposal must have one (1) Lead Principal Investigator. This individual is responsible for the technical, regulatory and financial aspects of the project.
- Investigator: Same as CO PI. This individual is considered to be a primary contributor to the successful conduct of a research project; any person who is responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of research.
- Principal Investigator: This individual should only be selected if the Sponsor allows for multiple PIs, and must meet all of the criteria for a PI. Other roles that may fall under this designation include: Research Scientist, Research Specialist, Research Associate, or Scholar.
- Post-Doctoral Research Associate: This individual has received a doctoral degree and serves on the research project.
- Fellow: This individual is a student, pre or postdoc applying for a fellowship or support for dissertation research whose mentor is the Lead Principal Investigator on this proposal.
- Graduate Research Assistant: A post baccalaureate student who serves on the project.
- Clinical Research Coordinator: This individual has significant responsibility for the conduct of a human subjects study. Responsibilities may include study subject recruitment, arranging subject visits, informed consent, regulatory documents, case report forms, and meeting with study monitors.
- Project Manager: An individual is identified in this role on a limited basis such as on program project grants or on a clinical trial.
- Technical Staff: This individual performs standardized or routine measurements, analyses or procedures in support of the research project.
- Undergraduate Student: This role defines an undergraduate student who does not meet the definition of "Fellow.”
- Administrative Contact: This individual has proposal edit rights, but is not named on the budget (e.g., department contract and grant manager).
- Administrative Assistant: This role is used on a limited basis on eligible funding opportunities, for example, program project or state contracts.
- Sponsored Effort %: The individual's total effort on the project.
- Cost Shared Effort %: The portion of the individual's total effort that will be cost-shared (in-kind) and supported by another source other than the sponsor.
- Total Calendar Months: There are three basic salary (wage) bases: Calendar Year, Academic Year and Summer Term. Here is a breakout for each:
- Academic Year (AY) 9 months 39 weeks 273 days
- Summer Term (SM) 3 months 13 weeks 90 days
- Calendar Year (CY) 12 months 52 weeks 365 days
Use the provided conversion worksheet to assist in the conversion of Time & Effort to Person Months
List of Investigators
The Lead Principal Investigator and all Principal Investigators (CO PIs) will receive an electronic notification to certify their role on this project prior to submission to the Sponsor.
Initial/Current Budget Period
- Begin Date: The start date for the initial period/first year of the project. Click the graphic next to the field to select the date.
- End Date: The completion date of the initial period/first year of the project.
- Direct (no commas): The estimated Direct costs for the first budget year of the project.
- Initial Funds Req: This field may either be calculated by clicking “Calculate Total” or changed manually. The preferred method is “Calculate Total."
Total Period (Total Request)
Enter the corresponding information for the Total Project Period.- F&A base: WSSU’s approved F&A is 43% of Salaries and Wages only for on-campus activities and 19.3% of Salaries and Wages for off-campus activities. In order to use the off-campus rate, you must perform at least 51% or more of the project off campus (facility that WSSU does not consider part of its operation).
- F&A Rate: the F&A rate defaults to the current University approved rate, but may be changed by simply clicking “Change Rate”.
- F&A Amount: Click “Calculate Amt” to obtain the product of the F&A base and the F&A rate. If necessary, this field may now be edited manually.
- Modified Total Direct Costs [MTDC]): consists of all salaries and wages, fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel and subcontracts up to $25,000 of each subcontract (regardless of the period covered by the subcontract). F&A base shall exclude equipment,** capital expenditures, and charges for patient care and tuition remission, rental costs of off-site facilities, scholarships, and fellowships as well as the portion of each subcontract in excess of $25,000. (Reminder: Mandatory in-state tuition for eligible GRAs on research grants must be excluded from the F&A cost base for each budget year.)
Note: All cost sharing must be documented in accordance with established criteria. The Lead Principal Investigator and his/her Department Chair must concur with and commit to any cost shared resources. Upload the completed Cost Sharing/Match Form. The form will be regarded as signed once the chair, dean, etc. has moved the eIPF successfully through the routing process.
Does the proposal include funds or contributions in the form of cost sharing or cash matching? Please indicate whether this proposal commits the University, the Department/Institute, and/or a subcontractor to provide cost sharing or cash matching in support of this project.
If yes, answer the following question: Please enter the expected cost share amount and the expected cost share fund.
If yes, check the appropriate type(s): Please check all that apply.
- Agency Mandated: Cost sharing which is required either by Federal statute or established by Sponsor policy. The costs are documented and are necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of project objectives.
- Voluntary (Mandatory if Awarded): Cost sharing which is not required by Federal statute or sponsor policy, or which is in excess of any such stated requirements and is volunteered to substantively demonstrate the collective university commitment to a project.
- F&A: The PI elects to provide cost sharing by charging less than the full indirect cost rate applicable to the project. This type of cost sharing requires F&A rate reduction approval by the Vice Chancellor for Finance Administration in advance of the proposal routing.
- In-Kind: Consists of donated time or property either by the university or third party contributions. All such contributions must be documented and should, at a minimum, entail a record of dates and time donated by the individual and/or value of property. Must upload cost share contribution letter in the Attachments section of Cayuse. Important: failure to meet or adequately document in-kind contributions could result in a pro-rata portion of university-incurred cost being disallowed and the creation of a serious financial problem.
- Matching: Involves a University contribution of funds specifically appropriated for and allocated to the project. The allocation and billing of project cost is processed in accordance with the agreement such as 75% Federal and 25% non-Federal.
- Salary Cap: A mandatory form of cost sharing whereby a sponsor (typically the NIH) limits the salary payable to a PI.
- Other: Use this field to describe other types of Cost Sharing or Cash Matching.
- Are you requesting the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs provide funds to support this proposal? Please indicate whether this proposal commits the University (not the Department/School/College/Institute) to provide cost sharing or cash matching in support of this project.
- Are you requesting a subcontractor or third party provide in-kind or cash matching to support this proposal?
Do you need additional resources to do this project over and above what is requested in the proposal budget?
If yes, check any that apply, and provide justification for each in the space provided. Also, indicate if approvals from your (or other) department(s) have been obtained.
It is important for the PI to ensure that members of the Research Team are not involved in activities that may impose an actual or perceived conflict of interest as it would relate to the conduct of the research and/or a member's relationship with the Sponsor. More information on campus conflict of interest policy can be found on the Office of Legal Affairs web page.
Human Subjects
Using the magnifying glass will allow you to identify all human subject protocols for every member of the research team listed on the Investigator/Research Team section. Select the relevant protocol(s) that are associated with this proposal. The remaining yes/no questions are necessary for IRBs to accurately link research proposals with approved protocol(s).
If the proposal involves human subjects and no submission to the IRB has been made, indicate:
- JIT: (Just in Time processing) the review package will be submitted for IRB review once WSSU is notified that funding/award is imminent.
- Not Submitted
More information about using human subjects and IRB review can be found in the IRB pages.
Animal Subjects
Using the magnifying glass will allow you to identify all animal protocols for every member of the research team listed on the Investigator/Research Team section. Select the relevant protocol(s) that are associated with this proposal. The remaining yes/no questions are necessary for the IACUC to accurately link research proposals with approved protocol(s).
If the proposal involves animal subjects and no submission to the IACUC has been made, indicate:
- JIT: (Just in Time processing) the review package will be submitted for IACUC review once UNC-CH is notified that funding/award is imminent.
- Not Submitted
More information about using animal subjects and IACUC review can be found on the Research Involving Human Subjects (IRB) page.
Special clearances may be required if these research materials are used in the sponsored research. Please contact Stephanie Evans at ext. 2982 or evansst@wssu.edu for guidance.
If subcontractors are included as part of the proposal, list the subcontractor names and provide the requested information below.
- Statement of Work
- Budget
- Budget Justification
- If NIH is the sponsor, 398 and 2590 face page, budget pages for initial and out-years, budget justification, checklist, and Subcontract Commitment Letter.
- If NIH is not the Sponsor Agency, a Campus Subcontract Commitment Letter. Contact Dr. Shawn Holt at holtse@wssu.edu for assistance with this letter.
- Additional information that may be required is
- the negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement
- Representations and Certifications.
The OSP will assist PIs in assessing whether export control compliance issues exist, but primary compliance responsibility will rest with the Lead Principal Investigator of the research. If you have any questions about export control regulations, please contact Stephanie Evans, Compliance Officer at ext. 2982 or evansst@wssu.edu.
Lead Principal Investigators shall examine, with OSP input, certain factors, such as:
- Does any research effected by the Export Control Act comply with its regulations and reporting requirements far enough in advance to obtain an export license, should one be required?
- Does any change in the scope or addition of new staff require a re-determination?
- Do you anticipate sending/transporting anything or receiving anything from outside of the US? This applies to both actually exporting or importing equipment or other items or hand-carrying items into or outside of the country.
- Do you anticipate any travel outside the US associated with this project? This applies to any member of the research team.
- Will you send your research results to a foreign country or foreign national? This applies to unpublished documentation. The term "foreign national" is defined as a person (natural person as well as a corporation, business, association, partnership, society, trust, or any other entity, organization, or group, including government entities) who is not a lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. an individual who has not been lawfully accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant in accordance with the immigration laws or who is not a protected individual. (A "foreign national" is a person that has not been issued a "green card" by the U.S. government, or who possesses only a student visa.)
- Is any member of the research team a foreign national? (See above for definition.)
Management of intellectual property has significant overlap with management of sponsored research. Contractual terms in sponsored research agreements and licensing or material transfer agreements can sometimes conflict. Your answers to these questions will help us speed communication and avoid problems that may delay your project.
For additional information regarding any of the Intellectual Property questions, please contact Valerie Howard, Director of Sponsored Programs at ext. 2413 or howardv@wssu.edu.
Disclosure: Disclosure refers to the submission of an Invention Report (IR) to the Chair of the Intellectual Property Committee, Mrs. Elva Jones at Jonese@wssu.edu. An IR may lead to the filing of a patent application and may further lead to commercial licensing of the invention, regardless of whether a patent application was filed.
Patent: A patent is a Federal grant based on an invention, which gives the holder the right to exclude others from making, using, or selling the invention. A patent application gives notice that such rights may arise in the future, however, the right to exclude others begins only when the patent is issued.
Sponsored research projects may contemplate further development of University inventions claimed in a patent or patent application, or patented inventions owned by outside parties may be relevant to the project. Such situations require that OSP take care to address these issues appropriately in the sponsored research agreement.
Transfer Agreement: A transfer agreement can be a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA), academic or research use license, or any other written agreement under which the researcher has obtained the limited right to use something owned by another entity. Researchers also share materials with outside parties under an MTA or other forms of research use licenses.
Should the sponsored research proposal contemplate using materials, data, or software obtained under such an agreement, OSP must take care to avoid conflicting obligations between the transfer agreement and the sponsor of the proposed research.
License: A license is a written agreement whereby the owner of property grants limited rights in that property to another. A commercial license for tangible property (material) or intellectual property typically grants the right to make, use or sell the property.
If a University invention is licensed to a commercial entity and is also to be used or further developed in the proposed research, OSP must take care to avoid granting rights in that invention to the sponsor.
Is this proposal an SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research Program)?
SBIR is a highly competitive program that encourages small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.
Is this proposal an STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer Program)?
STTR is an important small business program that expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development arena. Central to the program is expansion of the public/private sector partnership to include the joint venture opportunities for small business and the nation's premier nonprofit research institutions. STTR's most important role is to foster the innovation necessary to meet the nation's scientific and technological challenges in the 21st century.
All sponsored programs provide benefits in the sense of institutional support, employment, training of students, and the economic multiplier effect (e.g., university, employee, student, and visitor spending). However, this question addresses projects that emphasize benefits to North Carolina citizens beyond the immediate university community. Please check all that apply to this project.
Will this project:
- Affect Economic Development in North Carolina? *
- Provide Community Service in North Carolina? *
- Address the General Education, Health, or Welfare of North Carolina Citizens? *
- Involve research with an Institute or Center within the University? *
On-Campus Locations: This is a free text field. Enter specific campus location(s) where research will be conducted. Please be as precise as possible.
Out-of-State Locations: In the drop down box, select the state(s) in which sponsored activities will occur. More than one state can be selected or all states can be selected.
NC County Locations: In the drop down box, select the county(ies) in which sponsored activities will occur. More than one county can be selected or all counties can be selected.
Out-of-Country Locations: Please select the name(s) of the country(ies) where sponsored activities will occur.
- Please select a CIP code (Science Code) that describes the type of research contained in this proposal: The CIP is a taxonomic coding scheme that contains titles and descriptions of primarily postsecondary instructional programs. It was developed to facilitate NCES’s collection and reporting of postsecondary degree completions by major field of study using standard classifications that capture the majority of reportable program activity.
- I give permission to include this abstract to meet any required reporting or for the purpose of matching faculty researchers with potential collaborators and funding resources and to help identify expertise and areas of research interests. The abstract should be plainly written and in sufficient detail to summarize: (1) the purpose(s) or problem(s), (2) the hypothesis(es) or objective(s), and (3) the method(s) of the project(s).
All abstracts can be made available to the public. If this abstract contains ANY University or sponsor proprietary information, such as description of a potentially patentable invention (i.e., a new and useful process, machine, article of manufacturing, composition of manufacture, or related improvements), you MUST check "No". If you have not already done so, you should contact Valerie Howard, Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs at ext. 2413 or howardv@wssu.edu for guidance on disclosing the possibility of intellectual property.
You may add as many attachments as necessary. These attachments will be viewable to all the IPF approvers across campus that are listed on the "Approving Departments" tab. You may edit and/or remove an attachment before it is submitted. Once submitted, however, attachments may only be viewed. Within the Cayuse system, these documents will be labeled 'IPF' indicating that they were uploaded during the submission of the IPF.
Additional proposal documents may be uploaded after the IPF has been submitted and assigned for viewing by the following roles: IPF Creator, Lead PI Only, Admin Award Dept IPF Approver, Lead PI Appt. Dept IPF Approver, Certifying Investigator(s), Research Team, or All IPF Parties. Any document uploaded after the IPF is submitted will be automatically viewable by the OSP. Such documents may include JIT a copy of the IRB or IACUC approval documents. Within the Cayuse system, these documents will be labeled 'Post Approval' indicating that they were uploaded after the IPF was submitted.
Please review the “List of Approving Departments” at the bottom of this screen. Note: the Award Department is always listed first and cannot be changed or removed. The additional departments listed are those that must approve the eIPF. The routing order for these departments can be made sequential or concurrent by changing the number in the drop down box. You may add other departments by clicking the magnifying glass icon and choosing from the alphabetical list. You can only remove a department with a “Remove” field next to the role.