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Proposal Support Starts Here

The Office of Research Administration (ORA) is the authorized organizational representative for all proposals being submitted to sponsors external to the University of Maine. All sponsored project proposals must be submitted—and awards accepted—by authorized GCAs within ORA. Principal Investigators (PIs) and administrative staff are not authorized to submit proposals, accept grants, or execute contracts on behalf of the University. This centralization ensures compliance with institutional and sponsor policies, and facilitates coordinated proposal efforts.

Commitment to Excellence

ORA is here to help you navigate the often-complex landscape of proposal preparation and ensure your submissions are competitive and compliant. Let our experienced team support your research goals with expert guidance and administrative efficiency.

ORA’s Pre-Award staff offer comprehensive support including:

  • Aid in interpreting application guidelines and sponsor requirements
  • Review of budgets and proposal content to ensure compliance with sponsor and University policies
  • Compile proposal components in accordance with submission requirements
  • Review proposals for compliance with institutional and sponsor criteria
  • Review subrecipient documentation and determine subrecipient vs contractor status
  • Verify the accuracy and completeness of Proposal Approval Routing System (PARS)
  • Providing institutional approval for all proposal submissions
  • Managing electronic application submissions across various platforms

The PI leads the proposal’s scientific and strategic development, ensuring all components – technical, budgetary, and compliance – are completed in coordination with ORA for a successful and timely submission. See a detailed breakdown as follows:

  • Initiate Proposal Process
  • Identify funding opportunities aligned with research and institutional goals
  • Submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) in Proposal Approval Routing System (PARS) at least 15 business days prior to the sponsor deadline
  • Plan and Coordinate
  • Define project scope, timeline, and preliminary budget with ORA support
  • Engage early with collaborators and subrecipients as applicable
  • Optionally coordinate with Office of Research Development (ORD) for refinement of narrative and overall strategy
  • Develop Proposal Content
  • Draft narrative, abstract, and scope of work per sponsor guidelines
  • Align goals with sponsor priorities and articulate impact
  • Collaborate with ORA on budget and provide required documents (e.g., biosketches, letters, subrecipient info)
  • Ensure Compliance and Internal Review
  • Register for and use PARS for routing the full proposal
  • Complete required training (e.g. Financial Conflict of Interest) and disclose conflicts of interest
  • Meet all internal and sponsor deadlines, especially for complex or cost-sharing proposals
  • Collaborate with ORA
  • Coordinate with ORA to finalize the submission
  • Respond promptly to revision or document requests so that ORA can handle final submission via appropriate systems/portals
  • Stay Engaged Post-Submission
  • Monitor sponsor communications and be ready to answer questions and supply additional documentation if requested by sponsor
  • Remain engaged in project follow-up if awarded

All proposals must go through ORA – PIs and departments cannot submit proposals directly.

Proposals over $2 million require early coordination and strict timelines.

If you need additional guidance with anything proposal-related after reviewing this section of ORA’s website, never hesitate and reach our Pre Award staff by emailing proposals@maine.edu as needed.