This web site was created to assist faculty in securing external funding for projects. Internal grant sources are located as follows:

• Research, public service, and travel support by: WVU Foundation & Central Administration

• College of HRE faculty support: Grant Application (rtf) (word) & Example Completed Application

Grant Mentor Program to support faculty competitiveness for EXTERNAL funding.

Here is an "advance organizer" of seven steps to follow in seeking external funding for a project.

Be sure to check out the other links at the bottom of the page.

Here is a printable copy of this organizer.

1. Interest Areas. Determine the research and training areas in which you are interested (e.g., practice related research, rehabilitative education, technology centers).  Remember you'll be spending a significant amount of time with this project, so be sure you'll stay interested.

2. Collaboration. Consider collaborating with colleagues within your college or the university.  You might utilize the faculty listserv to let HRE colleagues know of your interest and express their desire to join you.

3. Funding Sources.  Peruse the “Finding Funding Sources” pages/related links at this (HRE Grant Assistance) web site.  If you are planning to seek funding from a foundation or private corporation, first contact Jim Rye .

4. Department Chair Discussion.  Discuss your potential project with your Department Chair.  There are many reasons for this discussion, e.g., possible time available to help develop your proposal, Chair’s ideas for collaboration, possibilities/plans for course "buyout" to manage/implement the project, if funded.

5. Grant Proposal Development.  Begin writing your proposal, paying very close attention to the funding agency guidelines and deadlines. (NOTE: Some projects require that you send a pre-proposal or letter of intent first.)

Important: The WVU Office for Research and Economic Development has launched a Grant Mentor Program to support faculty competitiveness for external funding. The details and application are found on their Programs and Activities page.

Some things to keep in mind:

• Your principal task is to convince the reviewers of the merits of your project.  Articulate a strong rationale/need for your project: Why should this project be funded?
• Make sure to include objectives/specific aims, which need to correspond to the rationale.
• Construct an evaluative design that corresponds tightly with your objectives. 
• Discuss the proposed budget with the HR&E Budget Officer several days in advance of the submission deadline.  Here is a generic budget template. HRE Faculty can email jim.rye@mail.wvu.edu for sample budgets prepared for proposals sent to the Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and National Institutes of Health.
• Ask a colleague(s) who is not a co-investigator to read your proposal and provide constructive feedback. Revise as needed.

6. Submit Proposal to WVU Office of Sponsored Programs.  You must have the proposal to Sponsored Programs AT LEAST 5 working days before the deadline of the funding agency (the more lead time, the better)!  Remember, the proposal must be accompanied by a “blue” sheet that contains all of the necessary signatures (investigators, chairpersons, deans, etc).

7. Submit Proposal to Funding Agency.  Make absolutely sure that your proposal will arrive in time for review.  Pay attention to “postmark by” and “received by” deadlines.