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USC Dornsife Research Office – Proposal Submission Timeline Policy

The Dornsife Research Office seeks to provide sufficient working time for both Principal Investigators and Pre-Award Administrators for the development and review of research proposal submissions to USC’s Department of Contracts and Grants. To that end, we are implementing a proposal submission timeline policy outlined below and effective 01/02/24.

I. AT LEAST 7 BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE SPONSOR SUBMISSION DEADLINE

The DRO requires notification of the intent to apply to a sponsored funding opportunity and the following preliminary administrative details:

  • Project title
  • Start/end dates (period of performance)
  • Preliminary budget details (personnel effort and dollar amount per cost category)

Please contact your department’s assigned pre-award administrator with these details (staff directory: https://dornsife.usc.edu/administration-finance/research-administration/find-your-admin/). If your department is not listed, contact Mike Godinez (magodine@usc.edu).

II. AT LEAST 5 DAYS PRIOR TO THE SPONSOR SUBMISSION DEADLINE

The DRO requires receipt of the following documentation, internally referred to as the “Administrative Shell”:

  • Funding opportunity or solicitation to which the proposal will be submitted
  • Draft of the project summary/abstract
  • Finalized budget and budget justification (administrator will assist using preliminary details provided). If applicable budget should include subaward documentation consisting of a statement of work, detailed budget, budget justification and institutional letter of support.
  • If applicable, other institutional documentation (e.g., cost-share, IRB/IACUC approvals).

These documents are necessary for initiating the institutional approvals process, which is required for the submission of all externally sponsored projects.

The DRO cannot guarantee further development or submission of proposals if these documents are received after this time frame.

III. AT LEAST 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE SPONSOR SUBMISSION DEADLINE

The DRO requires receipt of all final proposal documentation, pursuant to the specific opportunity’s requirements. Your pre-award administrator will provide a list of these during the development process.

This timeline is necessary to help meet USC’s Department of Contracts and Grants Service Commitment (https://research.usc.edu/files/2020/02/DCG-Service-Commitment.pdf), ensuring comprehensive review of submission-ready applications received at least 3 business days before the deadline. Our goal is to assist PIs in the development and submission of the best quality proposal possible. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Please contact Monica Bolden (mbolden@usc.edu) or Mike Godinez (magodine@usc.edu) for questions or further clarification.

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