These levels are based on and incorporate considerations noted in the SPA Proposal Submission Policy. These service level reviews also apply to pre-proposals requiring submission through SPA. See the SPA Pre-Proposal Submission Policy.
Note: All days are business days.
Full Assistance: SPA receives notice of a proposal at least 30 days before the sponsor deadline, all subsequent timelines are met, and the full proposal is available to SPA for submission 5 days before the deadline. SPA will work with the PI and their team to resolve any issues prior to submission. Proposals receiving Full Assistance will be compliant with the sponsor's published guidelines and will be submitted by the sponsor’s published deadline date.
Full Review: SPA receives notice of a proposal between 15 – 30 days before the sponsor deadline, all subsequent timelines are met, and the full proposal is available to SPA for submission 5 days before the deadline. SPA will work with the PI and their team to resolve any issues prior to submission. Proposals receiving Full Review will be compliant with the sponsor's published guidelines and will be submitted by the sponsor’s published deadline date.
Limited Review: SPA receives notice of a proposal between 6-15 days before the sponsor deadline. Reasonable accommodations will be made to conduct a Limited Review of the proposal and route for institutional review prior to submission. Accommodations will consider proposal complexity and current SPA proposal volume. SPA may not be able to guarantee that the proposal will comply with sponsor guidelines and can require significant changes prior to accepting an award.
At Risk: SPA receives notice of a proposal 5 days or less before the sponsor deadline. SPA may agree to submit the proposal, but it will be considered At Risk. There is no guarantee that the proposal will route for institutional review, comply with sponsor guidelines, or be submitted accurately or by the sponsor's deadline. SPA can require significant changes prior to accepting an award or withdraw the proposal entirely.
Actions with no commitment are at SPA’s discretion based on current workloads and proposal complexity.
| Action | Full Assistance >30 Days |
Full Review 15-30 days |
Limited Review 6-15 Days |
At Risk 5 Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Register faculty/users in agency systems (e.g., NIH eRA Commons, Research.gov, SAMS Domestic) |
Yes |
Yes |
No | No |
|
Determine if institution meets eligibility requirements |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Review grant solicitation and guidelines |
Yes |
Yes |
No | No |
|
Review institutional policy requirements for grant award |
Yes |
Yes |
No | No |
|
Refer PI to Research Development Office when guidelines limit the number of institutional submissions* (i.e., limited submissions) |
Yes |
Yes |
No | No |
|
Confirm PI is eligible to serve as PI, advise PI to complete PI Status Form for non-NIU employees seeking to submit proposal. (The AVP must approve any SPA work on a proposal while PI Status is under review – applicable only to non-NIU employees – complete form at least 8 weeks before deadline) |
XYes |
Yes |
No | No |
|
Explain grant budget requirements and/or limitations to PI (e.g., requirement to budget for meeting travel) |
Yes |
Yes |
No | No |
|
Present PI with proposal checklist summarizing required proposal components according to the funding solicitation and internal deadlines and responsibilities for each |
Yes |
No |
No | No |
|
Run Current and Pending Support report from InfoEd for PI and key personnel |
Yes |
No |
No | No |
|
Create initial draft of budget with input (i.e., PI wish list) from PI and make changes based on PI feedback – budget will include required F&A, fringe benefit costs, etc. |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
|
Prepare F&A Waiver request for PI if necessary |
Yes |
No |
No | No |
|
Prepare Tuition Remission Waiver request for PI if necessary |
Yes |
No |
No | No |
|
Provide guidance on cost share when required by the funding solicitation (amounts required, allowable costs, etc.) |
Yes |
Yes |
No | No |
|
Coordinate with the PI to gather subaward information, work with subaward institution to gather required documentation |
Yes |
No |
No | No |
|
Review preliminary detailed budget for Uniform Guidance and funding solicitation-specific cost requirements, including accurate F&A rates, fringe benefit costs, and tuition remission rates. |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Initiate institutional routing through InfoEd |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Upload proposal documents into agency electronic submission system |
Yes |
No |
No | No |
|
Run any error checks and work with PI to make changes (For Full and Limited Review, SPA may require PI to make changes and upload revised documents) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Review final uploaded documents for administrative compliance against funding solicitation |
Yes |
Yes |
No | No |
|
Submit proposal on time |
Yes |
Yes |
No | No |
|
Record the proposal submission in InfoEd |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Pre-award and Proposals
asosp@niu.edu
Post-award and Award Management
GrantsFiscal@niu.edu
InfoEd Questions
erahelp@niu.edu