Gathering Support

Having support of your institution or another institution can make your grant proposal even more attractive to funders. It is important to track down this support before you begin writing the proposal.

External Support comes from an organization outside your institution. Some important points to consider:

• Is the involvement of more than one institution?
  • Encouraged, required, not-mentioned?
• Is a particular type of institutional collaboration?
  • Encouraged, required, not-mentioned?
• Do I have contacts at other institutions that could?
• Make collaboration possible?
• Who would collaborate?
• What role would that institution(s) play?
• Would my institution support that?
• Collaboration?
  • Is my institution better off being a Collaborator rather than the lead institution?

Some things to consider when asking for support within your institution:

• Does my institution have the infra-structure and expertise to?
• Get, administrate and manage a grant based on my idea?
• Who else might function as the lead?
• How do I get that institution involved and interested?
• How do I ensure my institution's role in the grant?

The Office of Sponsored Programs has made the process of gaining internal support at MSCD very easy. The GAIN system was developed to create a paperless system to obtain administrative support. To use the GAIN system, you must go to OSP’s website using a computer connected to the MSCD network.

To access the GAIN system:

1. Go to http://www.mscd.edu/~osp/ .

2. Once you are at the site, click on "Gain/Forms". (You will not be able to access this section of the site off-campus.)

3. Click on "Internal Forms".

4. Go to the drop-down box next to "New Grant Proposal Forms" .

You will have access to the following forms:

Grant Intent Form - Use this form first. This will automatically generate a Proposal ID and will put your project on file, showing that you intend to apply for funding.

Grant Authorization Form - This form will be used next to help route your proposal through the institution for support for your project.

Grant Handling Form - OSP can assist with the submission of your proposal. This form lets them know what needs to be done and what help you need.

Grant Contribution Form - If you require matching funds from MSCD, use this form to apply for the funding.

Use these instructions to take a tour of the system.

EXERCISE: Complete the “Grant Consideration Rubric” . This form from www.schoolgrants.org can be used to present your grant ideas to your administration. Attach the form to your Study Guide.