Grants Process

If you have specific projects, programs, or research in mind, we can help you identify potential funding sources! For example, if you wish to study the impact of American trade policy on Japan in the 19th century, we can help suggest possible sources of funding.

Perhaps you have a more general "area of interest" that could be funded. We can also help bring funding opportunities to your attention. For example, if your area of interest is the culture of the former Soviet nations when funding opportunities come to our attention that might be appropriate for this interest, we will contact you.

Opportunities that would seem to be of interest to someone at the University, but for which no specific person comes to mind, are transmitted, as appropriate, to the Provost, the Deans and others.

Let us know your idea! Submit a short description (three paragraphs) of your proposed work and a rough estimate of the total funds you are seeking to hchen@iona.edu.

Your suggestions as to possible sources of funding, either for your projects or those of others, are always welcome. Perhaps you heard someone at a conference mention that they received a grant from XYZ Foundation, or you saw an announcement about a grant opportunity. In any case, bring it to our attention. We will work with you to determine if it is appropriate for your project or bring the opportunity to the attention of the appropriate person.

If you know someone who is on the board of a corporation or a foundation, let us know, they can probably be of help! In many cases, even "just knowing the local manager" can make the difference. If your area is one that has a specific government agency that funds projects, get to know the program people in that agency.

It is possible that you have identified the "perfect" funding source for your project, but the University is unable to submit a proposal to them for any number of reasons, including: we already have a grant from them; past experience has shown they have restrictions on their funding of which you may not be aware; the University has set another priority for the funder; etc.

Initiatives may develop at the University for which your expertise is needed in order to prepare a grant proposal, even though you did not initiate the request. Your assistance with these is greatly appreciated.

There are numerous electronic and print resources that you can search for funding sources. We will gladly provide you assistance in locating and using these resources.

We will contact the funder, obtain guidelines and an application for you.

We will work with you to develop a proposal, including a budget. Since we do not necessarily have expertise in your area, you must provide the narrative and budget for your project. We will, as appropriate, wordsmith the proposal. Different funding sources have vastly different requirements concerning the format for submission – these range from complex applications to simple letter). In many cases, a project may be submitted to different funders in different formats. We will work with you to develop these different formats.

You will be given the opportunity to review the proposal before it is submitted, and we will submit the proposal on your behalf.

The "rate of success" for proposals varies greatly depending on the specific funder and the specific initiative under which a proposal is submitted. We have seen the ratio of grants to proposals vary from 1 in 10 to 1 in 1,000. The odds of obtaining a grant if you do not apply is zero.

When the funder notifies us about your proposal, we will notify you and draft the appropriate "thank you" letter from the University. We would also suggest that you write a thank you letter (with a blind cc to this office). Such letters should be written even if your proposal is not funded; there can always be a next time.

If at any time the funder should contact you directly, please let us know as soon as possible.

If a grant is awarded, we will work with you to gain publicity for your grant.

All checks must be made payable to Iona University and sent to our attention. We will work with you and the Controller's Office to make sure the funds are credited to the appropriate account.

It is your responsibility to:

• Prepare for our review and then submit timely reports as required by the funder (with copies to this office). We can work with you on preparing these reports.
• Spend the money as approved and in the appropriate timeframe.
• Please notify us of any situation concerning your grant before contacting the funder

• There are numerous electronic and print resources that you can search for funding sources. The Director of Sponsored Grants and Programs -Provost Office, will gladly provide you assistance in locating and using these resources and/or conducting the search for you.
• Submit at a minimum, preferably electronically via e-mail, a short description (three paragraphs) of your proposed work or area of interest, and a rough estimate of the total funds you are seeking.

• The Director of Sponsored Grants and Programs will contact the Sponsoring Agency, obtain guidelines, an application, and will work with you to develop a proposal, including a budget.
• The Principal Investigator (PI) provides the technical research content, program design description, expected outcomes and time frames.
• The Director of Sponsored Grants and Programs will supply the required institutional data (i.e., audited financial statements, Board of Trustee list, Not-for-Profit certificate, registration with government agencies, etc.)
• You will be given the opportunity to review the proposal before it is submitted.

• All proposals require institutional approval before being submitted. Allow two weeks for approval by the Provost and Finance Offices.
• The Director of Sponsored Grants and Programs, via the Provost Office, will submit the proposal on your behalf.
• If at any time the Sponsoring Agency should contact you directly, please let Director of Sponsored Grants and Programs know as soon as possible.

• Sponsoring Agency terms and conditions, and guidelines will be provided.
• When the Sponsoring Agency notifies the Director of Sponsored Grants and Programs about your proposal, we will notify you and draft the appropriate acknowledgment (including a signed receipt and agreement by the PI) and a "thank you" letter from the University. We would also suggest that you write a thank you letter (with a blind cc to the Director of Sponsored Grants and Programs).

• The Director of Sponsored Grants and Programs will work with you to gain publicity for your grant.
• Finance will create a PeopleSoft account and provides the fund number to the PI to reference when expending funds.
• All checks must be made payable to Iona University and sent to the Director of Sponsored Grants and Programs’ attention. The Controller will credit the funds to the respective account.

• Compliance with guidelines of OMB Circulars A-21 Cost Principles, A-110 Administrative Requirements and A-133 audits, adhere to Iona University policies including but not limited to Procurement and Conflict of Interest, and comply with Sponsoring Agency rules and regulations.
• Review expenditures for compliance with Sponsoring Agency guidelines for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness within approved budgets.
• Effort Reporting for individuals who are paid with grant funding, either in whole or cost-shared, is required.
• Periodic financial reporting by the Finance Office is determined by the Sponsoring Agency and is the responsibility of the PI.
• Ongoing Internal Audit review. The frequency will be determined by the value of the grant.

• Perform required activities with regard to publishing.
• Once the grant is completed, there are several reports to submit.