Research Proposal and Award Support
Get the support you need, from proposal to award.
Preparing a research proposal or managing a sponsored award? The College of Arts and Sciences works with UB's Sponsored Projects Services (SPS) to help faculty navigate the funding process. Find out where to start, who to contact and how to access support for proposals, budgets and award management.
UB's Sponsored Projects Services (SPS) uses the Research Administration Support Center (RASC) model to provide support throughout the research funding process.
College faculty work with a team of research administration professionals who assist with proposal development, sponsor agreements and award management.
Proposal Manager
Coordinates proposal preparation, internal approvals and submission requirements.
Budget Specialist
Develops proposal budgets, prepares budget justifications and reviews funding requirements.
Pre-Award Administrator
Reviews and submits proposals to sponsors as UB's Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR).
Contract Manager
Reviews sponsor agreements and non-funded agreements, including confidentiality and data use agreements.
Finance Manager
Provides financial oversight, budget guidance and support throughout the award period.
Post-Award Administrator
Serves as UB's post-award AOR, coordinating sponsor communications and approval requests.
If you're planning to apply for external research funding, your first step is typically to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI).
✅ When is an NOI required?
For most grants and sponsored research projects, funding is awarded to and administered through UB. In these cases, you must submit an NOI to begin the proposal development and submission process.
❌ When might an NOI not be necessary?
Some fellowships, particularly in the arts and humanities, provide funding directly to an individual rather than through a university. If the sponsor explicitly states that funding cannot be administered through an institution, an NOI may not be required.
➡️ What happens after you submit an NOI?
Once your NOI is submitted, Sponsored Projects Services assigns a Proposal Manager and Budget Specialist to help you prepare your application, develop your budget and navigate institutional requirements.
If the funding arrangement is unclear, contact SPS before proceeding to confirm whether an NOI is needed.
For university submission deadlines, required materials, proposal approvals and sponsor requirements, visit UB's Proposal Development and Submission page.
CLICK Form Instructions
The CLICK Portal is UB's system for managing research proposals and institutional approvals.
In most cases, your assigned Proposal Manager will initiate and coordinate the CLICK form as part of the proposal submission process. However, faculty may need to complete a CLICK form themselves in certain situations, such as when a proposal was submitted directly to a sponsor before SPS became involved.
If you need to prepare a CLICK form, these video tutorials can help:
- Preparing a CLICK Form for Research Grants (5:33)
- Preparing a CLICK Form for Arts and Humanities Fellowships (4:28)
For additional instructions and resources, visit UB's CLICK Portal.
Additional Proposal Development Support
Office of Research Advancement
College faculty may also access proposal development services through UB's Office of Research Advancement (ORA).
ORA support may be especially helpful for:
- Early-career faculty pursuing competitive federal awards, such as NSF CAREER or NIH R35
- Large, collaborative proposals involving multiple UB faculty members, external investigators or institutional subawards
- Proposals to agencies such as the Department of Defense or Department of Energy
If you're interested in ORA support, indicate this on your Notice of Intent form.
Once your project receives funding, your Finance Manager becomes your primary contact for post-award financial support.
Your Finance Manager can help with budget questions, expenditures and other financial matters. Post-Award Administrators coordinate sponsor communications and approval requests.
Use the Finance Manager Lookup tool below to find your manager.
In addition to university-wide services, the College provides guidance for several administrative processes related to sponsored research.
If you need to begin or continue project activities before funding is available, work with your Finance Manager to determine whether an at-risk or backstop request is appropriate.
Requests are routed through Sponsored Projects Services and the College's Associate Dean for Research for review, risk assessment and approval.
Contact: Your Finance Manager
If your project requires a budget adjustment, contact your Finance Manager for guidance.
Your Finance Manager can help review proposed changes and coordinate with Sponsored Projects Services, the sponsor or the College's Associate Dean for Research as needed.
Contact: Your Finance Manager
If you need additional time to complete your project without requesting additional funding, contact your Finance Manager at least 90 days before your award's end date to discuss a no-cost extension and any required approvals.
Faculty can submit research-related appointment requests directly to the College's Human Resources team.
If you have questions about available funding, allowable expenses or project dates, consult your Finance Manager before submitting your request.
Contact: casappointment@buffalo.edu
For purchases and reimbursements related to sponsored research, contact the College's Reimbursement and Procurement Team.
If you have questions about available funding, allowable expenses or project dates, consult your Finance Manager first.
For tuition expenses charged to sponsored research awards, contact your department's graduate coordinator or designated departmental contact.
If you have questions about funding availability, allowable expenses or project dates, consult your Finance Manager.
Find required training, research forms, system access and university policies.
Access required research compliance courses, training resources and guidance.
Find guidance on conflicts of interest, research ethics and compliance requirements.
For College-level questions about research administration, funding initiatives or support for research and creative activity, contact:
Jason Briner
Associate Dean for Research; Professor, Department of Earth Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
Email: jbriner@buffalo.edu