Get Started

​Below is a quick overview of the grant seeking process. If at any time you have questions or need clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at ORSP@ju.edu.

Step 1. Know what you want to do.

• Before locating a funding source, you must know what it is you want to accomplish, why it's important, and if it's feasible. A good place to begin the planning process is to consider these pre-proposal questions.

Step 2. Begin searching for funding opportunities.

• JU partners with PIVOT, a comprehensive, user-friendly, web based service that matches research interests to funding opportunities. This resource is available to JU faculty, staff, and students - all that's needed is the internet and a JU email address. Click here for login details and instructions.
• PIVOT can also help you locate researchers who have been successful in your field. Under Profiles, enter the discipline you're interested in (ex: Engineering or Nursing). Hit enter, and then refine your results, as necessary, using the search categories on the left. Check out other researcher's profiles, and see what they have had funded and by what entity. You may be able to then find more info by visiting that researcher's institution page, and finding their full CV.
• Check out ORSP's Find Funding page
• Consider the Northeast Florida region - are there any possible supporting entities that might be interested in funding local projects? Many companies and foundations seek to support those in their community.
• Ask your mentors and colleagues who have experience in your area about possible opportunities.
• After you find an opportunity, consider these factors before making a decision; this list is not to dissuade you from applying, but it is a reality check before you invest any writing effort -- especially if you're considering submitting a proposal that's due in two weeks! Also, as a rule of thumb for those starting with grant writing, it generally takes you three times the amount of time you initially expect to prepare a complete proposal that is responsive to the RFP.

Step 3. Contact the ORSP to set up a pre-application meeting.

• The sooner you contact the ORSP, the more assistance we can provide.

Step 4. Prepare your proposal.

• The sponsor's request for proposal (RFP) is a key part of the proposal development process. Think of it as your road map to a successful submission: it tells you exactly what to include and what not to include in your proposal, where to include it, how to format it, and how to submit the package for review. Do not stray from the RFP and do it your way. While your way may likely be more efficient and logical, you must follow the funding source's directions and templates. Read the RFP at least twice. Then read it again. If something isn't clear or you have questions, contact our office at ORSP@ju.edu for help.
• ORSP has compiled several useful writing resources. Browse through these if you're unsure how to begin writing your ideas. With advance notice, we are also able to help you with edits and writing the non-technical portions of your proposal.
• It is good practice to share your proposal concept and your intent to submit with your Chair and your Dean. JU's routing process (Step 5, below) requires both of their signatures on the approval form; discussing the project and budget with them ahead of time can prevent delays in the routing and submission process. The University will have the option to postpone or deny submission of a proposal if it is reasonably evident during the internal routing process that the project was not vetted to the PI/PD's supervisor(s).
• Common Jacksonville University identifiers and information are available on the ORSP website.

Step 5. Route the proposal for institutional approval.

• ALL proposals requesting external funding to support faculty research, scholarly projects, community programs, etc. MUST have full university approval BEFORE the proposal is submitted. JU reserves the right to reject an award if the proposal was not reviewed and approved by JU administration prior to its submission. Contact ORSP to get the process started at ORSP@ju.edu.
• If your project involves any human subjects, make sure the Institutional Review Board has adequate time before the submission to review your proposal.
• Submit, at the minimum, the signed routing form, your proposal (near final draft is acceptable) to ORSP@ju.edu.
• ORSP will complete the review and approval process.
• ORSP is JU's Authorized Organization Representative (AOR); all full proposals are submitted by ORSP on behalf of the faculty and the institution.

Step 6. Wait for sponsor notification.

• Waiting for a decision is one of the toughest parts of a submission. Many funders offer dates when awardees will be announced . We strongly recommend NOT contacting the funding source for a status report. If the date for the award announcement has come and gone, contact us at ORSP@ju.edu.