Western Kentucky University
Office of Sponsored Programs
Services
Identifying Faculty Interests
The Office of Sponsored Programs maintains a comprehensive computerized database of faculty research interests. This information allows us to better match the incoming program announcements with the interests and expertise of WKU faculty. Please use the attached form for providing information to be included/updated in the OSP database. Or send an e-mail message describing your research interests to Tricia Callahan or Renae Speck.
Disseminating Information about Sponsored Programs
Consult the staff in the Office of Sponsored Programs as early as possible in the process of planning your grant proposal. We receive a wide variety of information from funding sources and can assist you in obtaining program guidelines, application kits, award lists and tips on writing effective proposals. Notices of grant opportunities are distributed by our office to WKU faculty and staff. The more we know about your interests, the more effective we can be about keeping you informed.
Searching for Funding Sources
Computerized searches of databases of potential sources of funding are available to the WKU campus through the sponsorship of this office. We can assist you in making these searches, or you can try it yourself. If you need help with these searches, contact Tricia Callahan at x5-5853 or Renae Speck at x5-4488.
Liaison with External Agencies
The Office of Sponsored Programs can assist you in contacting the appropriate program director for your area of interests. We can help you arrange visits to agency offices in Washington, DC, and we serve as the campus liaison to the offices of federal, state and foundation funding agencies.
Grant Writing Workshops
We offer a variety of workshops on grant writing. Each semester a basic course in proposal development is offered, and mini-workshops focusing on specific topics are offered throughout the year (Grants Information on the WWW, Budget Development, Writing Competitive Proposals, Internal Grants at WKU, How to Administer Your Grant Funds). Register for upcoming workshops by calling the OSP main office at x5-4652.
Proposal Development
We can assist you in developing or revising a proposal for submission. It's never too early to begin planning for your next proposal submission. For additional information, see
Budget Preparation
Developing a budget requires attention to policies and regulations of your potential sponsor as well as the internal policies governing sponsored programs at WKU. We can assist you in this endeavor by providing you with a sample budget and tips on developing a budget which realistically reflects the costs of your proposed project.
A list of answers to frequently asked questions appears in the attached document, "Important Information Most Commonly Needed for Preparation of Contract and Grant Applications". Included is information on the current rates for indirect costs, fringe benefits and travel reimbursements, as well as the institution's employee identification number and the contact addresses for Western's authorized representative for grants and contracts.
Coordination of the Internal Sign-off Procedure
Proposals submitted for external funding must first be approved through the University's transmittal process. For additional information call Regina Allen at x5-5852, or consult the procedure for "Approval of Proposals" as described in the Guide for the Preparation of Grants and Contract Proposals.
OSP's sign-off sheet is used in routing all proposals for the required university signatures. Click here to download the sign-off form.
Post-Award Assistance
The Office of Sponsored Programs negotiates and approves grant and contract awards,
prepares charts of accounts, authorizes setting up a university account, informs PIs of terms and conditions of awards, negotiates and issues subawards from WKU grants to other institutions and organizations, approves all post-award budget modifications, negotiates funding extensions, manages research ethics (including intellectual property, copyright, human subjects, biosafety issues), and assists PIs with final closeout of their awards.
Follow-up Consultations
Notifications of declined proposals are sometimes received by this office and sometimes are sent directly to the project director. Please contact us when you receive any official correspondence related to a proposal you have submitted. Not only will it assist us in maintaining accurate records, but we can also provide a follow-up consultation when a proposal has been denied funding. We can assist you in obtaining (and interpreting) reviewers' comments and revising your proposal for resubmission.
Last update made June 7, 2006.
Send comments to: Sponsored Programs Webmaster sponsored.programs@wku.edu
All contents copyright (C) 1998. Western Kentucky University.