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What administrative support is available for the preparation, submission and management of grant proposals and awards?

Faculty in the Science Division, SEAS, and some Social Science departments have designated sponsored research administrators. For departments that do not have a designated sponsored research administrator, please contact FAS Research Administration Services to see what support our office is able to provide. This may include assistance with proposal preparation, budget preparation, submission of grant applications, and managing awards. Faculty and administrators in the Arts & Humanities Division or from non-Divisional Departments and Centers should contact Katherine Zuccala at kzuccala@fas.harvard.edu for advice and assistance. Faculty and administrators in the Social Science Division in a department without a designated sponsored research administrator should contact Jimmy Matejek-Morris at jmatejek@fas.harvard.edu.
 

Who can help me create a budget for my proposal?

Faculty in the Science Division, SEAS, and some Social Science departments have designated sponsored research administrators. Research Administration Services offers support for administrative aspects of the proposal preparation and submission process for departments that do not have a designated sponsored research administrator, including construction of proposal budgets and coordination of the University’s review and submission process. Faculty in the Arts & Humanities Division or from non-Divisional Departments and Centers should contact Katherine Zuccala...

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Do all proposals require institutional review prior to submission?

Proposals for awards that will be awarded/issued to Harvard University require institutional authorization and must be submitted through Harvard’s Office of Sponsored Programs for institutional review prior to submission to the sponsor. Certain fellowship and sabbatical opportunities specify that resulting awards will be awarded/issued directly to the faculty member; proposals for such opportunities may be submitted directly to the sponsor by faculty member without the requirement of internal review. Please contact your sponsored research administrator...

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I am a postdoc based in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Who needs to review my grant proposal before submission?

For opportunities for which awards would be issued directly to Harvard University, proposals must be reviewed and approved by the following:

  • Your department or center
  • The Office for Sponsored Programs
  • Additional signatures (including Research Administration Services, OTD, or the OVPR) may be required...
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As a postdoc, how do I submit an application for funding?

There are two ways to submit an application for funding: you may submit as an individual or through Harvard University’s Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP). Some sponsors will require you to submit as an individual while others will require you to submit through the institution. Please be aware that there may be tax, benefits, and other implications that may change depending on whether you submit through Harvard University or as an individual. We highly recommend that you discuss your applications with a departmental grants administrator or your faculty mentor prior to submitting a...

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What are indirect costs (or overhead)?

Indirect costs are also commonly referred to as overhead, facilities and administrative costs (F&A), IDC, or indirects. Charging assessments on gifts and allocating indirect costs on grants enable FAS and SEAS to recoup a portion of the overhead costs associated with externally funded activities and the reimbursement of these costs provides FAS and SEAS with a source of revenue to reinvest in its infrastructure, which, in turn, supports the academic pursuits of our faculty. More information on current federal rates, as well as the FAS/SEAS policy regarding sponsors that do not cover the... Read more about What are indirect costs (or overhead)?

Are there any exceptions to the FAS/SEAS policy requiring a minimum 15% overhead on sponsored funding?

Assessments are categorically waived on the following classes of funds: Financial aid, or other student support; grants for construction; grants for equipment and instrumentation; assessments that are limited or prohibited by law or other governmental restriction. Capital equipment expenditures on sponsored awards are also exempt from this policy. Of further note, it is recognized by FAS/SEAS that...

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