The Pre-Award team partners with researchers to develop and submit competitive, compliant proposals for external funding.
Working closely with the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), we provide resources, timelines, and administrative guidance to ensure proposals align with sponsor requirements and University policies. Our team reviews and approves submissions, assists with budgets and supporting documents, coordinates collaborators and subawards, and secures institutional approvals – helping faculty and research teams navigate the proposal process with clarity, efficiency, and rigor.
- RFP and solicitation review to ensure compliance with sponsor requirements
- Proposal review, processing, and submission to SPA for final sign off
- Assistance with budget development and justifications
- Engaging with outside collaborators and establishing subcontracts
See more detail in our Roles & Responsibilities Matrix (link).
Looking for a different kind of help?
Still working on your idea? Or pursuing a large funding opportunity and need help with project management? Take a looks at our Research Development services.
Once an award is issued, projects transition seamlessly to our Post-Award team for financial setup and ongoing management.
Resources for Proposal Preparation
Links to internal and external resources that can help you search for funding opportunities.
This Climate School policy details the required steps for requesting a PI Waiver.
Further details and University guidance for creating and assembling grant applications.
Find the internal forms you need for proposals, award set-up, subawards, compliance, and more.
Prepare an accurate, reasonable proposal budget, including direct costs, fringe, and indirect rates.
Find forms and guidance for subawards to outside collaborators on your proposal and for Columbia's role as a subrecipient on another institution's award.
The Office of Research enforces multiple policies that govern research at the Columbia Climate School.
Links to Columbia-wide resources to help Climate School researchers and administrators navigate the research environment.
My Rascal, proposal tracking, compliance approvals, training, and conflict of interest disclosures.
Updates, resources, and training materials to assist you with SciENcv setup.
Have a question? We are here to help!
And don’t forget to subscribe to our Newsletter.