Fund-raising is a game of sorts, with an element of luck involved. If you get 1 out of 3 proposals funded, you have an envious record and 1 out of 8 is not unusual, even for skilled and experienced fund-raisers. Fund-raising and subsequent project implementation represent an extended sequence of activities. Although proposal writing receives a great deal of attention, it is by no means the only important element in this sequence. At the heart of all effective fund-raising is good communication.
Funding agencies do set deadlines.
They can be based on when their Board of Directors meet or, as with the NIH, have a published set of review cycles and deadline dates. Information on various funding deadlines can be obtained from the Office of Research Administration. All faculty submitting proposals should be in contact with the Office of Research Administration as early as possible. ORA will assist you in developing a budget, preparing any forms the sponsors require, and provide you with an Internal Transmittal Sheet, Financial Disclosure Form . The Transmittal Sheet should be signed by the Department Chairperson, Dean, and Provost and returned to ORA prior to submitting the proposal to an agency.