Grant Preparation Support Services
Learn more about Grant Preparation Support Services, such as external scientific reviews, offered by the Office of Research Development.
The Proposal Preparation section contains information and resources to assist faculty and administrators in the development and submission of proposals. All resources related to proposal development and submission can be found on this page. If you are looking for a funding opportunity, please refer to the funding opportunities section of the FIU Research website.
Learn more about Grant Preparation Support Services, such as external scientific reviews, offered by the Office of Research Development.
Resources for the new NIH Data Management & Sharing Policy
Grant writing resources
Proposal development resources
All proposals to external sponsors for projects that will involve University faculty and/or staff must be reviewed and approved by the Office of Pre-Award for compliance with federal and state statutes and regulations as well as sponsor and FIU guidelines, policies and procedures prior to forwarding the proposal to the prospective sponsor.
In alignment with the goal of the Office of Research and Economic Development to enable the university’s researchers to focus more of their time and resources on the science during the proposal process, the Electronic Proposal Routing Approval Form (ePRAF) was implemented to replace the previously used paper-based Internal Clearance Form. The ePRAF allows the electronic routing of proposals throughout the entire approval process from the PI / Co-PIs, to the Chair, Dean and the Office of Research and Economic Development.
1. What is the Office of Research and Economic Development’s (ORED) contact information?
Florida International University
Modesto A. Maidique Campus
11200 S.W. 8 Street, MARC 430
Miami, FL 33199-0001
Phone: (305) 348-2494
Fax: (305) 348-4117
2. Where can I find the official ORED policies?
All University policies and procedures are located in one central on-line location in the University Policies and Procedures Library maintained by the University Compliance Office at http://policies.fiu.edu/. All of the policies and procedures of the Office of Research and Economic Development may be reviewed on that database which is arranged by Pre-Award and Award, Post-Award, Office of Research Integrity and Office of Technology Management and Commercialization. Additionally, users may search the database using key words and all policies and procedures containing the key words will be listed, regardless of the University unit to which they pertain. This is particularly useful for sponsored research matters as administration of projects routinely involves other University units such as Purchasing, Travel, Risk Management and Environmental Health and Safety and many other units. Thus, the ability to search the Policies and Procedures Library using key words provides users with an expedient way to ensure that all relevant policies and procedures are accessed. The on-line policies and procedures also list the appropriate University contacts so that users may know whom they can call if they have any questions on the policies or procedures. Needed forms and background information are also included in the policies and procedures.
3. I need a confidentiality agreement, teaming agreement, material transfer agreement or memorandum of understanding executed on behalf of the University. Can I process that through the Office of Research and Economic Development, and if so, how?
See Office of Research and Economic Development Policy #2320.055, Negotiation and Execution of Sponsored Project Awards and Agreements at http://policies.fiu.edu/files/257.pdf.
Pre-Award may execute agreements that are not related to an existing proposal or sponsored project, but which are related to research or to potential future sponsored research projects or related to University intellectual property as follows.
Examples of these types of agreements are:
To request that Pre-Award execute an agreement other than an award document, the PI must provide to Pre-Award:
Pre-Award will determine if the agreement is appropriate for execution by Pre-Award and if needed, will negotiate the agreement with the entity with which the agreement will be executed. The negotiation will be done in consultation with the PI and other FIU units, as necessary (e.g., Office of the General Counsel, Office of Technology Management and Commercialization). When the agreement is signed by all parties, Pre-Award will send a copy to the PI.
Special Considerations relating to Material Transfer Agreements
If a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) seeks to transfer any Special Hazards Material (as defined in policy #125.405, Security in Laboratories with Special Hazards), the PI must obtain the approval from Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) before the MTA may be signed by Pre-Award. Policy #125.405 defines Special Hazards Materials as including, but being not limited to, ‘radioactive materials, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) controlled substances, select agents, carcinogenic and explosive materials, infectious materials, and laser devices, and any other hazardous materials, the purchase, handling, storage or transfer and disposal of which is regulated by federal, state, or local laws.’
The PI must provide to Pre-Award, the appropriate EH&S Research Clearance Form (found on the Pre-Award website at http://www2.fiu.edu/~ehs/dsrt/index.htm) with EH&S’ approval of the transfer of the materials.
If the MTA is for the transfer of animals, the PI must work with the Laboratory Animal Research to ensure the Facility is prepared for the transfer and the care of the animals. Any IRB, IBC or IACUC approvals must also be in place, as applicable, before beginning to use the material transferred in any research project. See Office of Research and Economic Development Policy #2350.060, Purchase or Receipt of Items Requiring EH&S Prior Approval.
4. Should my project be processed through ORED, University Advancement or the Office of Auxiliary Enterprise and Development?
Please click here to see the decision tree.
5. What documents do I need to send ORED as part of a complete proposal package and when is the proposal due to ORED?
The complete proposal package is due to Pre-Award 5 days prior to the sponsor deadline. However, the complete proposal package is due to Pre-Award 8 days prior to the sponsor deadline if the proposal: (1) is a collaborative proposal with other universities or entities outside of FIU; or (2) seeks to directly charge expenditures that are normally included in F&A. See ORED policy #2320.025, Deadlines for Proposal Submission to ORED at http://policies.fiu.edu/files/267.pdf.
Following are the items which comprise a complete proposal which must be submitted to Pre-Award for review prior to submission of the proposal to the sponsor.
6. Do I need an Electronic Proposal Routing Approval Form (ePRAF) for a preliminary proposal?
Sponsors will sometimes request a preliminary or “white paper” proposal prior to submission of a full proposal. In those circumstances, approval from ORED prior to the PI’s submission of the “white paper” proposal to the sponsor is not required provided the white paper or preliminary proposal does NOT contain any of the following: (1) a budget; (2) commitment of University cost sharing or space additional to that already available to the PI; or (3) an authorized University signature. See ORED policy #2320.070, ORED Prior Approval on Sponsored Project Proposals at http://policies.fiu.edu/files/526.pdf
If any of the foregoing items is included or required in the white paper or preliminary proposal, then the normal proposal approval process must be followed by the PI. However, for all white papers or preliminary proposals where ORED approval is not required, the PI should nonetheless forward a copy of the same to ORED for its files in the event a full proposal is later submitted.
7. Do fellowships need to be routed through ORED?
Fellowships do not need to be routed through the Office of Research and Economic Development if the fellow is paid directly by the funding agency and no authorized University signature is required. Applications for fellowships or scholarships that will be made to the University on behalf of an individual must be routed through the ORED internal clearance process at proposal time. Normally, a student may be listed as the co-PI while the faculty mentor is listed as the PI on the fellowship proposal. See ORED policy #2320.035, Eligibility to Submit a Proposal as Principal Investigator at http://policies.fiu.edu/files/362.pdf. Please note that these applications need to adhere to the ORED proposal deadlines addressed in FAQ #2 above.
8. What awards and fellowships have been designated High Value and eligible for the FRIP?
The following list identifies all programs identified as high value by the BOG and contains links to their websites. It is important to note that faculty must check eligibility to apply, as FIU is not an eligible applicant for all programs identified as high value by the BOG.
High Value Awards and Fellowships Recognized by the BOG and Eligible for FRIP
9. Are all awards and fellowships funded by the identified agencies recognized as high value by the BOG and eligible for FRIP?
No. Only the specified grant programs are eligible for FRIP. For example, an NSF CAREER Award is the only NSF grant program that is recognized as High Value and Eligible for FRIP; no other NSF grant programs are designated High Value. A grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) does not qualify, but a fellowship from RWJF’s health policy program does.
10. How do I apply for a High Value Award?
The procedure for applying for a High Value Faculty Award or Fellowship is the same as applying for a grant. In order to qualify for FRIP, all faculty members who intend to apply for a High Value Faculty Award or Fellowship must complete an Electronic Proposal Routing Approval Form (ePRAF). All applications must be submitted to ORED’s Pre-Award Unit at least five business days prior to agency deadlines. It is important to note that ePRAF routing is mandatory for High Value Awards and Fellowships: One-time incentives will not be distributed for High Value Awards and Fellowships that were not routed through the Electronic Proposal Routing Approval process.
11. Who is the Principal Investigator (PI) on a fellowship application?
Depending on the sponsor guidelines, either the faculty mentor or the fellowship applicant may be listed as the PI on the external proposal documents. Within FIU, the faculty mentor should be listed on the internal proposal forms as the PI.
See ORED policy #2320.035, Eligibility to Submit a Proposal as Principal Investigator at http://policies.fiu.edu/files/362.pdf.
12. My Chairperson (or Dean) is out of town. Who signs my Electronic Proposal Routing Approval Form (ePRAF)?
If the Dean and/or Chairperson has/have not designated an alternate and there is no cost sharing or release time involved from your College or Department, ORED would accept the Internal Clearance pending the signature of Chairperson and/or Dean. If the Dean/Chairperson does not approve the proposal, the proposal will need to be withdrawn.
13. What is the information required in order to add your name to the NSF Fast Lane database?
New users will be able to register directly with NSF through Research.gov, via this link: http://www.research.gov/accountmgmt/#/registration
This will allow users to create and self-manage accounts, including personal information and role requests.
You may call ORED at (305) 348-2494 or e-mail us at preaward@fiu.edu with any questions or concerns.
14. What information do I need to provide to ORED in order to obtain an NIH eRA Commons ID?
In order to set up an NIH eRA Commons ID, the following information should be provided to either your Pre-Award representative, by calling the ORED main office at (305) 348-2494 or by sending an email, with the information included, to preaward@fiu.edu:
15. What are the FIU Federal ID (TIN), DUNS, SAM UEI, CAGE, TEN and CEC numbers?
FIU Federal Tax ID Number: 65-0177616
DUNS Number (aka CCR Number): 07-129-8814
SAM Unique Entity Identity Number: Q3KCVK5S9CP1
CAGE Code: 1JHM5
Tax Exempt Number: 85-8012622369C-4
CEC Number: 07-220-891B
16. What are the Congressional and Senate districts numbers?
US House District | Florida Senate District | Florida House District | |
Modesto A. Maidique | 26 | 37/39 | 115/116 |
Biscayne Bay | 24 | 35/36 | 100/107/108 |
Broward Pines Center | 23 | 29 | 98/99/104 |
Engineering Campus | 25 | 37/40 | 105/115/116 |
The Jewish Museum | 23 | 35 | 113 |
The Metropolitan Center | 24 | 35 | 112/113 |
Miami Beach Urban Studios | 23 | 35 | 113 |
The Wolfsonian | 23 | 35 | 113 |
17. What are FIU?s Federal-Wide Assurance (FWA), IRB registration and Animal Welfare Assurance numbers?
FIU’s Federal-Wide Assurance (FWA): FWA00000060 (Expires: 02/09/27)
Health Sciences IRB Registration Number: IRB00008168
Social and Behavioral IRB Registration Number: IRB00008169
Animal Welfare Assurance number: A3096-01
18. What is FIU?s NIH Institutional Profile File (IPF) number?
FIU’s NIH IPF number is 513809.
19. I am requesting funding. Do I need to have IRB/IACUC/IBC approval before I submit my proposal?
In most cases (NIH, NSF, USDA, Dept. of Education), you will be submitting the approval information “just-in-time” (when you receive a fundable score, award letter, or when the agency requests the IRB/IACUC approval information). For the most accurate information, the PI should consult the agency for guidelines for the use of human subjects and/or animal subjects. All approvals must be obtained before ORED may set up a Project ID.
See also ORED policies #2320.090, Sponsored Award Project Set-Up found on the University Policies and Procedures Library at: http://policies.fiu.edu/files/344.pdf
20. When can FIU faculty be paid extra state compensation and what is the procedure to be paid extra state compensation?
See also ORED policy#2350.025 – Extra State Compensation From Sponsored Projects for FIU Personnel found on the University Policies and Procedures Library at: http://policies.fiu.edu/files/366.pdf
21. How much should I pay my students (graduate and undergraduate)?
The Dean’s Office of your respective college can best answer that question, as different schools and disciplines pay different rates.
See also ORED policy #2320.080- Salary and Wage Charges on Sponsored Project Proposals found on the University Policies and Procedures Library at: http://policies.fiu.edu/files/265.pdf
22. How much do I budget for graduate tuition?
Most Federal projects will only allow for the cost of tuition (excluding any additional fees as charged by the University). A full time graduate student is expected to complete twenty-four (24) credits per year [nine (9) credits during the fall and spring, six (6) credits over the summer].
For the academic year 2015 to 2016, the cost per credit for a continuing graduate student admitted before Fall 2006 is $362.71; Thus, tuition for a full-time continuing research assistant admitted before Fall 2006 being charged to a sponsored project will be $8,705.04. The cost per credit for a new graduate student admitted after Fall 2006 is $379.95, thus tuition for a full-time new research assistant will be $9,118.80. Currently, it is institutional policy that a 5% increase cost of living be calculated for tuition for every additional year of funding requested.
See also ORED policy #2320.110- Tuition and Fee Charges on Sponsored Project Proposals found on the University Policies and Procedures Library at http://policies.fiu.edu/files/731.pdf
23. What is the Facilities and Administration (F&A) rate?
The following facilities and administrative (F&A) rates are provided as a general guide. Please note that specific rates mentioned in a particular request for proposals (RFP) or other sponsor specific guidelines will take precedent over this FAQ. Please note that sponsors generally use either modified total direct costs (MTDC) or total direct costs (TDC) as the base to calculate F&A costs.
See also ORED policy #2320.040, Full Facilities and Administrative Charges Must be Charged on Sponsored Project Proposals at http://policies.fiu.edu/files/252.pdf
24. The agency will not pay FIU’s negotiated F&A rate. How do I document it?
Have the agency put in writing that they will not pay over a certain percentage in F&A costs. Provide a copy of this document or of guidelines stating the deviation from the F&A rate to ORED at the time of proposal submission.
See also ORED policy #2320.040, Full Facilities and Administrative Charges Must be Charged on Sponsored Project Proposals at http://policies.fiu.edu/files/252.pdf
25. What is the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Salary Cap?
Since 1990, Congress has legislatively mandated a limitation on the rate at which salaries can be directly charged to contracts, grants and cooperative agreements for the National Institutes of Health (NIH; collectively referred to as NIH grants). The NIH cap is tied to the Federal Executive Pay Scale specified within the Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, which has been set at Executive Level I since 2001.
For more information on the NIH salary cap, including the current salary cap in place, please visit https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/salcap_summary.htm
At proposal time, if an individual’s effort will be funded from NIH funds and has a salary in excess of the capped rate (prorated for those individuals not on a 1.0 FTE), then the current NIH salary cap should be used in calculating the salary requested from the NIH for that individual. Salary for effort in excess of the current salary cap will need to be cost shared by the unit/department if awarded.
For help in calculating the amount of salary that can be charged to the agency versus the amount that will require cost share, please contact your ORED Research Proposal Administrator.
26. What fringe rates should I use on my proposal budget?
The following fringe rates are effective as of March 19, 2024 on all proposals being submitted by Florida International University and will be effective for all awards as of July 1st, 2024:
Employee Group | Pooled Fringe Benefit Rate |
College of Medicine (COM) Faculty | 28.83% |
Admin/Faculty (excluding COM Faculty) | 35.95% |
Staff | 50.22% |
Non Student OPS | 2.79% |
Graduate Student Assistants | 9.61% |
Below is a detailed breakdown of each of the fringe rates (download here):
COM Faculty | Admin/Faculty | Staff | Non Student OPS | Graduate Student Assistants | |
Social Security | 4.46% | 5.46% | 5.89% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Medicare | 1.37% | 1.38% | 1.35% | 1.45% | 0.00% |
Retirement | 9.59% | 11.39% | 15.12% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Health | 9.31% | 15.63% | 29.54% | 2.42% | 10.16% |
Life | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Disability | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Workers Compensation | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Unemployment Compensation | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% | 0.07% | 0.00% |
Tuition Waivers | 0.01% | 0.43% | 0.66% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Parental & Sabbatical Leave | 0.16% | 1.03% | 0.14% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Medical Leave | 0.59% | 0.28% | 0.44% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Sick & Vacation Payouts | 2.28% | 1.36% | 0.90% | 0.01% | 0.00% |
Over/Under Fringe Change | 1.05% | -1.07% | -3.96% | -1.15% | -0.55% |
Total | 28.83% | 35.95% | 50.22% | 2.79% | 9.61% |
27. How much do I pay a consultant?
A consultant should be paid on the basis of his/her history of consultancy fees and the work they are to conduct.
See also the following ORED policies found on the University Policies and Procedures Library:
28. How do I list other FIU faculty on grants if they are not a Co-PI?
They may be listed by name and expertise with pertinent percentage of time. Note that other FIU faculty cannot be paid as consultants. They should be paid as senior personnel.
See also ORED policy #2320.080- Salary and Wage Charges on Sponsored Project Proposals found on the University Policies and Procedures Library at: http://policies.fiu.edu/files/265.pdf
29. What sources are available to me for acquiring cost sharing that is required on my proposal?
The place to start when requesting cost-sharing is at the Departmental level, followed by the College, and then the Office of Research and Economic Development. Please note that the University permits cost sharing only when mandatory and required in the solicitation.
See also the following ORED policies found on the University Policies and Procedures Library at https://policies.fiu.edu/search/?division=26
30. What items may not be listed as match or cost share?
Items that are included as part of the F&A costs, including administrative salaries, utilities usage, and University-owned facilities dedicated to research cannot be used as cost sharing. As a general rule, it is best to not list supplies or duplicating as match as it is almost impossible to provide proper documentation for audit purposes. The exception would be if a project involves mass mailing or other large-volume duplicating that can be tracked easily.
The items easiest to track for cost sharing purposes are non-administrative personnel, travel or tuition waivers. Foregone overhead may also be used as cost sharing. Prior to establishing an award, ORED will confirm that there are funds in the cost sharing source(s) stated on the cost sharing form. If the required funds are not available, the grant award will not be established. It is the Principal Investigator’s responsibility that match be met according to what was stated in the proposal.
See also the following ORED policies found on the University Policies and Procedures Library at https://policies.fiu.edu/search/?division=26
31. What is the role of the Authorized Official Representative (AOR)?
The Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) is the individual who has authorization/permission to act for Florida International University (FIU) and assume the obligations imposed by federal laws, regulations, requirements and conditions as imposed by grants or other research awards. Proposal applications requiring FIU agreement or certification will need to be signed by the AOR and all research related grants, agreements, and contracts should be signed by the AOR, as appropriate.
See also ORED policy #2320.070, ORED Prior Approval on Sponsored Project Proposals at http://policies.fiu.edu/files/526.pdf
32. What direct costs may be included in the budget for federally sponsored projects?
33. When can I purchase a computer with federal grant and contract funds on my sponsored project?
34. I will be joining FIU in the near future and plan to transfers grants from my former institution. What should I do?
Please contact Robert Gutierrez, Assistant Vice President for Research at gutierrr@fiu.edu to discuss the transferability of your grants. A member of our Proposal Services Team will be assigned to work with you and your departmental administration on the grant transfer process. As a reminder grants are made to the institution and not the individual researcher, therefore the currently awarded institution needs to agree to relinquish the award and the sponsor needs to agree to transfer the grant to FIU. The grant transfer process is an involved process between the sponsor, your former institution and FIU. Please review the Incoming Grant Transfer Matrix for additional details
35. I plan to leave FIU and will need to transfer my grants to my new institution. What should I do?
Grant awards are made to the institution and not the individual researcher. Before a grant can be transferred, an institutional determination needs to be made as to whether the grant is transferable or not. Please contact Robert Gutierrez, Assistant Vice President for Research at gutierrr@fiu.edu to discuss the transferability of your grants. If your grant is transferable, you will need to work with your Post Award Representative to close out the award. An Project Transfer Request Form (available at https://research.fiu.edu/forms/) will be required to indicate departmental and college concurrence with the requested transfer. The ultimate determination as to whether a grant is transferred resides with the Office of Research and Economic Development.
If you have written a proposal draft and would like someone to review it, please contact Maureen Pelham from Research Development within the Office of Research and Economic Development.
If you need assistance with filling out the Electronic Proposal Routing and Approval Form(ePRAF), developing budgets, filling out agency forms, uploading attachments and assistance with electronic routing of proposals, click here.
If your ePRAF has been received by the Office of Research and Economic Development and is ready for submission to the sponsor, please contact Ludmilla Etienne in the Office of Pre-Award for additional information.
For assistance with drafting a subcontract or consulting agreement, please contact Ana Ruiz in the Office of Pre-Award.
For any other questions, please email us at preaward@fiu.edu or call 305-348-2494.