Proposal Development

Need help managing and writing a proposal of more than $1,000,000 involving multiple departments and/or external collaborators? The Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships (ORAP) proposal consultants can assist you with the below services. Developing a successful proposal can take two to six months. Proper planning and support from ORAP consultants can make the entire process go smoothly. Before you begin, contact ORAP to discuss how we can be of assistance.

ORAP proposal consultants are also available to provide review, editing and consultation services to individual investigators pursuing smaller grants. Priority is given to junior faculty and proposals aligned with WSU strategic initiatives.

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Services Provided

  • Careful reading and re-reading of the request for proposals
    ORAP staff will make sure your proposal is responsive and conforms to all specific instructions and requirements.
  • Proposal Review
    The ORAP team provides a non-scientific review of your proposal, ensuring that it responds to the RFP by providing a compelling argument. Proposal consultants also facilitate subject area reviews from experts internal and external to WSU.
  • Editing
    ORAP staff will help compile and integrate collaborator input, strengthen narrative organization and project presentation, and ensure all RFP guidelines are followed.
  • Developing templates/models
    Proposal consultants assist collaborating partners in the preparation of their proposal pieces, and enhance the cohesiveness and appearance of the final product.
  • Communicating with Partners
    ORAP staff will serve as point of contact or liaison regarding questions of proposal logistics, and for collection of documents from collaborating partners, both internal and external.
  • Meeting coordination 
    Proposal consultants can help project collaborators maintain communication and keep proposal development on track by setting up conference calls (audio or video) and/or in-person meetings.
  • Regular check-ins with the PI
    Keeping momentum on a proposal can sometimes be a challenge. The ORAP team provides check-ins to hear how things are going, ensure coordination of effort, and develop to-do lists.
  • Assistance with timelines
    Proposals consultants will help you stay organized. They can help ensure all proposal components, including documents required from collaborating partners, are prepared, reviewed and revised as needed, and ready for on-time submission.
  • Budget support 
    The proposal consultants help coordinate preparation of the WSU budget and budget justification, as well as subcontractor budgets and budget justifications.
  • Special needs of proposal
    ORAP staff provide assistance with other required and optional proposal components as needed.
  • Application package and submission process
    Proposal consultants provide assistance to ensure the Workspace, Fastlane, Assist or other agency specific application process goes smoothly.