FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions:
Preliminary Proposals (PPs)
[ PDF, 29K
] (revised 6/18/08)
Leveraging Funds
Q: Your helpful hints encourage proposals to include leveraging of funds. Does leveraging for this grant have to be cash/hard money, or can it be soft/in-kind?
A: Leveraging CAN be soft / in-kind.
Q: In order to include leveraging on a Preliminary Proposal, do I have to have my leverage in hand before I submit?
A: You do not have to have your leverage in hand, but you do need to have a good idea that it will be available should you win the award.
Q: Are tuition or indirect costs that are picked up by my department considered leverage?
A: Yes. These and any other costs that are borne by your department in support of this project should be included in your Preliminary Proposal as leverage.
Q. What about equipment purchased on other funds that will be used on this project?
A. New equipment that will be used in this project and that will be purchased from other sources (startup funds, for example) is also considered leverage and should be included. If the equipment will be shared with other projects, include the appropriate percentage in your leverage.
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Budgets
Q: Does the Preliminary Proposal require a formal budget form?
A: No. You only need to estimate your total budget for the Preliminary Proposal. If your PP is selected for a Formal Proposal, an itemized budget and budget justification will be required at that time. However, your budget estimate should fairly approximate your need, so you may opt to sketch out a budget using the Formal Proposal Budget Form. This form will not be submitted with the PP.
Q: What about indirect costs? Are these included in my total request for funds?
A: Yes, UTCM grants are subject to indirect costs of 45.5%; that is, your Preliminary Proposal budget request will consist of direct costs and indirect costs that will total the amount you request.
Q: What sorts of things need to be accounted for in my budget estimate?
A: Remember to account for standard fringe for faculty, staff and student salaries, which includes medical for faculty, staff and graduate students, but not undergraduates. Also remember to account for graduate student stipends that are customary for your department. Please contact us if you need more specific information on preparing your budget estimate.
Q: Can tuition for my graduate student be supported?
A: You may include in-state tuition (no fees) for a graduate student who is supported on the project, if your department usually covers it. Tuition is included as a separate line item (as opposed to increased salary support) and is not included in indirect cost calculations. A maximum of 9 hours (Fall and Spring) and 6 hours (Summer) may be included for a student fully supported on the project. You should pro-rate tuition for students not fully committed to the project.
Q: What budget items are not supported?
A: Foreign travel and capital equipment are not allowable. Non-capital equipment (e.g. computers, cameras, etc. under $5,000) is generally not allowable, but may be justified in very specific cases.
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