Sponsored Research
Our commitment
Assist in the execution of proposals and applications which reflect the superior quality and robust competitiveness of Cornell University research.
Our mission
- Provide administrative support to CALS principal investigators and academic departments during the proposal development process from concept to submission.
- Build proposal budgets in a format which communicates the costs associated with a project in a clear and uncomplicated manner which address the considerations of post-award accounting practices and policies.
- Understand and communicate sponsor, university, college, and department procedures and policies.
- Work closely with colleagues at the Cornell Office of Sponsored Programs through the preaward process; as stewards of initial and revised preaward budgets, documentation, and correspondence.
- Promote proposal award success within CALS.
Our Vision
We accelerate purpose-driven science by supporting inquiry that crosses disciplinary boundaries and stretches from discovery to invention. We help in this effort by preparing funding proposals which reflect the superior quality and robust competitiveness of Cornell University research and extension.
Grant Proposal Team
Working with a member of the team allows PIs to focus primarily on their proposed Scope of Work; thus alleviating administrative burden. Such services include:
- Assistance interpreting program solicitations, sponsor application guides, and Cornell policies.
- Working with PIs to draft a detailed and specific budget and budget justification which serves as the primary driver for setting up a grant award.
- Coordinating with outside university and collaborating partners to collect all pertinent documentation, signatures, and assurances such as; letters of commitment, subcontract budgets, and subcontract forms etc.
- Assistance navigating new electronic submission systems and platforms
- Formatting various elements of the proposal package such as; biographical sketches/CVs; current & pending reports, etc.
- Filling out necessary application forms such as; grants.gov packages, NSF Fastlane packages, and federal forms SF424 and 424A.
- Drafting and circulating internal documentation (if applicable)
Grant and Contract Officers
The responsibilities of the two CALS Grant and Contract Officers differ from the Grant Proposal Team. CALS GCOs are authorized to sign and submit proposals to sponsors. Such services include:
- Review of proposals to ensure they comply with all Cornell and sponsor policies.
- Working with PIs, department, and OSP staff to correct any omissions or address any questions related to a proposal.
Submitting final proposals and applications directly to the sponsor.
A. Purpose:
CALS OSR understands that it is in the best interests of the PI, College, and University to put our best academic footprint forward. We acknowledge that project narratives need time to develop, and that last minute input from collaborators can be extremely valuable.
In order to provide CALS researchers with the time needed to refine their narratives, Cornell has adopted a policy which will allow PIs to retain the “Scope of Work” for proposals to Federal Sponsors.
A link to the complete policy can be found here: Proposal Review Guidelines
B. Risks:
It is important to note that turning over incomplete portions of any application carries with it some risk; such as missed deadlines, incomplete applications, and dropped or missing attachments. OSR will make every effort to submit a complete and final application to the sponsor; however, turning in the Scope of Work at the last minute is at the risk of the PI.
C. Eligibility:
- The PI must make the arrangement in advance
- In writing via email in advance of the deadline
- Must make an effort to submit all other proposal elements in advance,
- Preferably five (5) business days before a deadline
- Work with your department specialist or a member the Grant Proposal Team. They can help PIs meet this goal.
- Provided the above conditions are met, the final Scope of Work can be submitted on your deadline date.
- Proposals are submitted on a “first-come” basis on any given deadline date.
D. Scope of Work is defined as follows for each sponsor:
NSF
Project Summary, Project Description, Reference Cited
USDA
Project Summary, Project Narrative, References Cited
NIH
Introduction, Specific Aims, Research Strategy, References Cited
Other Sponsors
Contact GCO
It is our responsibility to provide full support to people who work with us early and are responsive to requests for information. Requests for assistance will be handled as best as possible given each specific situation, peak grant season, and presume a full complement of available staff.
The response times below refer to active/actionable requests and they are different than courtesy messages acknowledging receipt of communications sent by you.
Timely courtesy messages stating that your request has been received can be expected from of all staff in the Research Office, regardless of your deadline date.
- Normal - The Research Office is notified that a proposal deadline is 6 months to 1 month away.
Response Time: 4 business days
GPT - The requester should discuss with the team member key information as early as possible. This timeline allows for the team to fully assist with all aspects of the proposal development process.
GCO - The Contract Officer will assist with submission of your proposal to the sponsor – with review based on receipt date as prescribed by Cornell OSP. This timeline allows for full comprehensive review of all aspects of the proposal.
- Critical - The Research Office is notified that a proposal deadline is 3 to 2 weeks away.
Response Time: 2 business days
GPT - This timeline allows for the team assist with limited portions of your proposal such as budget, and RASS. Other services are only available as time permits. In order for a proposal to remain at the critical level, the PI must be readily available for reciprocal consultation/response within 2 business days.
GCO - The Contract Officer will assist with submission of your proposal to the sponsor – with limited review based on receipt date as prescribed by Cornell OSP. Other services are only available as time permits.
Requests for assistance submitted under item a.) Normal Conditions, above, take precedent over those under item b.) Critical Conditions.
- Intensive - The Research Office is notified that a proposal deadline is 1 week away.
Response Time: 1 business day
GPT - In order for a proposal to remain at the intensive level, the PI must be readily available for reciprocal response within 1 business day. The team member will have extremely limited availability. They may be able to assist with RASS. Other services are only available as time permits, and are not guaranteed.
GCO - The Contract Officer will have extremely limited time. They will only provide a minimum review. Other services are available only as time permits, and are not guaranteed.
Requests for assistance submitted under item a.) Normal Conditions, and b.) Critical Conditions above, take precedent over those under item c.) Intensive Conditions.
- Imminent – The Research Office is notified that a proposal due in less than 2 days.
Response Time: Immediate.
GPT - The proposal team will not be able to assist with your proposal.
GCO - CALS OSR and OSP will make every reasonable effort to submit your proposal before the deadline. However, technical errors and system shutdowns may prevent submission. We encourage you to work with our team early and often, to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Last minute proposals are submitted on a first-come/first-serve basis and priority is given to people who finalize their applications early. This increases the risk of missing your deadline.
Abby Blinn (arb382 [at] cornell.edu) – Grant Coordinator, Ithaca
Botanic Gardens
Computational Biology
Communication
Microbiology
Plant Breeding and Genetics
SIPS Other
Entomology, Ithaca Campus
Ace Repka (acr78 [at] cornell.edu) – Grant Coordinator, Ithaca
Horticulture
Landscape Architecture
Plant Biology
Plant Pathology
Dyson/SC Johnson School
Clarice Burgman (crs17 [at] cornell.edu) – Grant Coordinator, Ithaca
Molecular Biology and Genetics (CALS)
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Neurobiology and Behavior (CALS)
Natural Resources
Melissa Hall (mah66 [at] cornell.edu) – Grant Coordinator, Ithaca
CCE, Regional Agriculture Teams
Food Science
Amy Jackson (alj67 [at] cornell.edu) – Grant Coordinator, Geneva
Supporting all units on the Geneva, NY campus/Cornell AgriTech
Jamie Slusser (jls679 [at] cornell.edu) – Grant Coordinator, Ithaca
Biological and Environmental Engineering
Tiffanie Rosenberger (tr366 [at] cornell.edu) – Grant Coordinator, Ithaca
Animal Science
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Sea Grant
School of Integrative Plant Science, Soil and Crop Sciences
Riley Schwengel (rs2549 [at] cornell.edu) – Senior Grant Coordinator, Ithaca
Center scale grant support
Global Development
Nutritional Sciences
Alita Trouble Howard (ath32 [at] cornell.edu) – Senior Grant Coordinator, Ithaca
Center scale grant support
Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research
Brooks School of Public Policy
Human Centered Design (formerly D+EA and FSAD)
Psychology (formerly Psychology (CAS) and Human Development (CHE))
Northeast IPM
Molecular Biology and Genetics (CAS)
Neurobiology and Behavior (CAS)
Erin Oates (eo73 [at] cornell.edu) – Acting Grant Coordinator, Ithaca
Industry (if there is no RFP)
NYS Master MOUs
Mandy Kafka (ajk287 [at] cornell.edu) – Administrative Assistant, Ithaca
- Routine Product Testing Agreements
Erin Oates (eo73 [at] cornell.edu) – Director, Office of Sponsored Research
Industry (if there is no RFP)
NYS Master MOUs
Global Development
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Northeast IPM
Rose Hastings (rwh10 [at] cornell.edu) – Grant & Contract Officer and Team Lead
Cornell AgriTech
Biological and Environmental Engineering
CCE, Regional Agriculture Teams
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Food Science
Natural Resources
Molecular Biology and Genetics (CALS)
Neurobiology and Behavior (CALS)
Colleen Kearns (cmk4 [at] cornell.edu) – Grant & Contract Officer and Team Lead
Animal Science
Communication
Computational Biology
Botanic Gardens
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Dyson/SC Johnson School
Entomology, Ithaca Campus
Horticulture, Ithaca Campus
Landscape Architecture
Microbiology
Plant Biology
Plant Breeding and Genetics
Plant Pathology, Ithaca Campus
Sea Grant
Soil and Crop Sciences
- Cornell University Proposal Review Policy
Faculty may continue to work on their proposal narratives during the proposal review window. - Search for Funding Opportunities
Includes links, resources, and the top funding agencies by category
Routine Product Testing Agreements are very limiting transactions. Our primary focus at CALS is Fundamental Research and Extension. Fundamental Research is defined as basic and applied research activities, including trials, conducted to further the mission of Cornell University. Almost all agreements with industry are categorized as "Fundamental" and should be managed by the Office of Sponsored Research and Sponsored Financial Services. In very rare cases, a Testing Services Agreement may be applicable. For further information visit the Routine Testing Agreement site (Routine Testing Agreement).
For questions about service agreements or to discuss your project, please contact: eo73 [at] cornell.edu
- Grant Writing Effort Policy (Under revision pursuant to FA18 update to university policy. Kindly contact the appropriate administrative manager with any questions.)
- Consulting Policy
- Financial Conflicts of Interest Policy
- Invention and Related Property Rights - University Policy 1.5
- Guidance on University Policy 1.5 from the Office of the Vice Provost for Research
- Domestic Transfers MOA Template for Schools with Articulation Agreements
- Domestic Transfers MOA Template
- Schools with Articulation Agreements
CALS is required to pay a university charge on all external funds received in CALS accounts. For awards that have an F&A rate that is less than 18%, the unit will be required to pay to the college the difference between 18% of total direct costs and the actual F&A recovered. This cost recovery does not represent the full cost that CALS pays to the university, nor the full indirect costs for the research. Questions about this policy can be directed to: eo73 [at] cornell.edu

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