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Proposal and Funding Support

From idea to award—support at every stage.

Northwestern provides coordinated support across the full research lifecycle, from identifying funding and building teams to submitting proposals and managing awards. These services are delivered in partnership by Research Development, Sponsored Research, and school-based research administration teams.

Start with what you need:

To help you move through the funding lifecycle effectively, utilize the following specialized pathways:

  • Find Funding Opportunities: Access databases and curated lists of federal, foundation, and corporate opportunities tailored to your discipline.

  • Find Collaborators: Visit the Research Development site to find out how to connect with fellow Northwestern investigators, identify key experts, and assemble the interdisciplinary teams and strengthen your proposal's impact.

  • Proposal Development: Receive tailored guidance for any application, with specialized project management and team formation for complex, interdisciplinary, or strategic proposals.

  • Proposal Review and Submission: Ensure compliance and institutional endorsement through standardized reviews, including authorized official approval and submission support for on-time delivery.

  • Award Management: Access resources for post-award financial monitoring, compliance, and effort reporting to ensure project activities align with sponsor terms and institutional policies.

Who supports this work?

Research Development supports early-stage planning and proposal development. Sponsored Research supports proposal review, submission, and award management.

University resources for navigating the strategic and administrative phases of the grant lifecycle.
Support Office Core Support Functions
Research Development Focuses on the "pre-proposal" phase. We identify strategic federal funding opportunities and manage the selection process for Limited Submissions.
Sponsored Research Handles the formal submission of proposals, contract negotiations, and ensures that budgets and justifications align with both sponsor guidelines and university policy.
Funding Offices Specialist teams (Foundation and Corporate) that facilitate non-federal partnerships and tailor proposals for private sector expectations.

Request a VPR Signature for Your Proposal

If your proposal requires an official signature from Northwestern's Vice President for Research (VPR) — such as a letter of support, cost share commitment, or cover letter — you'll need to submit a request form before your submission deadline. Allow at least one week for cost share letters and two business days for all other materials.

Request a VPR Signature

Stay Informed

Faculty and administrators are encouraged to subscribe to ORD Insight, a weekly digest featuring federal funding opportunities and limited submission announcements.