Resources for New Faculty

The Research Development (RD) team in FAS Research Administration Services provides resources and support to FAS and SEAS faculty seeking internal and external grant and fellowship funding. This includes information and assistance identifying and applying for important early career and scholar awards, grantsmanship advice, proposal development support, and connections with any research-related points of contact.

Members of the RD team reach out to all new FAS and SEAS faculty during their first semester at Harvard to discuss funding interests and to share information about resources and support services for faculty. Following this meeting faculty are provided with a customized list of funding opportunities specific to their research interests.

All FAS and SEAS faculty may make an individual appointment at any time with FAS Research Development to discuss their funding interests and needs. To request Research Development support or arrange an appointment, email research_development@fas.harvard.edu.

New Faculty Frequently Asked Questions

Are there automatic funding alert services available?

Yes, many agencies and sponsors have electronic funding alert services, including those listed below. 

National Science Foundation (NSF)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

NASA

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

 

Department of Energy

Other Federal Resources

  • Grants.gov: Subscribe to receive email notifications of federal funding opportunities. 

 

See also: New Faculty

Are there online tools to search for funding opportunities?

Through Harvard’s institutional subscriptions, all Harvard University affiliates have access to several funding search engines and databases. For questions about these databases or to set up weekly alerts for funding opportunities based on keywords you select, please contact Research Development at research_development@fas.harvard.edu.

See Funding Opportunities for curated funding opportunity lists in Pivot of funding search topics of broad interest.

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 (kzuccala@fas.harvard.edu) and faculty in the Social Science Division should contact Jimmy Matejek-Morris (jmatejek@fas.harvard.edu) for assistance.
 

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 as early as possible with any intention for proposal submission to review and confirm the required process for each opportunity. Faculty in Social Science departments that do not have a designated sponsored research administrator should contact Jimmy Matejek-Morris at jmatejek@fas.harvard.edu. Faculty in the Arts and Humanities Division or from Non-Divisional Departments and Centers should contact Katherine Zuccala at kzuccala@fas.harvard.edu.
 

What support or services does Research Administration Services offer to faculty looking for sabbatical funding?

The Research Development team in FAS Research Administration Services performs customized funding searches to locate those opportunities that best suit your sabbatical plans. We offer advice on strategies for submitting competitive proposals and will review your proposal against sponsor requirements. Please contact research_development@fas.harvard.edu to discuss your sabbatical needs.

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 required minimum 15% overhead, can be found here

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 postdoctoral fellowships, early career awards, and sabbatical fellowships normally have a specific limit to assessments or indirect cost rate. FAS/SEAS will recognize any assessment/IDC limits to such awards, and does not need further action, such as a waiver or direct charge of other costs.