The CWU Office of Grants and Sponsored Research provides a wide range of services to faculty and staff seeking external support for research, instruction, program development, and public service projects. The specific services offered are briefly described below:

Proposal Development

Though we recognize that the writing of a proposal is the responsibility of faculty or staff, our office provides assistance in clarifying objectives, interpreting guidelines, reviewing proposal drafts, communicating with agencies and foundations, and developing budgets. Faculty and staff who wish to avail themselves of these services are encouraged to consult with our office as early in the proposal development process as possible. Proposals for new program development, collaborative and interdisciplinary projects, basic research, fellowships and awards, travel grants, as well as proposals initiated by University administration, are all eligible for assistance.

Proposal Submission

All proposals submitted by faculty and staff of the University must go through a formal internal review process. Early in the process, a preproposal acknowledgement form must be recieved by the office of Graduate Studies and Research. In addition to research and program proposals, we request that fellowship and travel grant applications be processed by our office so that we may maintain centralized records of support. Our staff will provide assistance in such matters as required certification and assurance procedures, human subject approval, animal welfare clearance, contract negotiations, and prior approval of institutional commitments such as cost-share and matching funds.

Funding Information

The Office of Grants and Sponsored Research provides information on all sources of funding, both public and private. This information is made available in a variety of ways including:

Individual Mailings -- The Office maintains a database of faculty research interests. Program annoucements are sent to targeted faculty and staff working in the announced program area or by request. Faculty who wish to receive announcements of specific programs or be added to the database should contact our office.

Funding Information Library -- The information library houses a collection of grant, fellowship, and proposal-writing information. We receive several newsletters including Education Grants Alert, Arts and Funding Report, and Aid for Education Report.

Grants Resource Center -- The University is affiliated with the Office of Federal Programs of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The GRC staff responds to questions related to any aspect of the federal grant process.

On-line Database -- The office subscribes to the Community of Science (COS), which is the most comprehensive source of funding information available on the Web. Access to this site is via our webpage.

Internal Support

Seed Grants Program -- Seed grants provide support for faculty research projects. Support for research related-travel, student help, supplies, and equipment can be requested. A competition is held every quarter of the academic year.

Research Appointments -- Each year the University awards faculty research appointments that provide release-time for one quarter of the academic year or summer quarter to allow faculty to pursue research, creative, and scholarly projects.

Hard Match -- The hard match fund serves as a major incentive to encourage grant proposal development. Match monies can be used for equipment, release-time, or student assistance.

Manuscript Publication -- A portion of the indirect cost recovery has been set aside to support manuscript publication cost and page charges. Costs are shared with the faculty member's college dean and/or department.