PI handbook details the process for successful proposal development and submission. The handbook explains our processes and resources for the initial stages: grant development, approvals, and submissions.
It clarifies PI eligibility, responsibility and expectations. It outlines the PI's role in managing the full lifecycle of a project, from proposal development to closeout. This includes resources for project oversight, resources management, reporting, compliance and ethical development, and fiscal accountability.
Podcast Audio
Chapter 1: Introduction to Sponsored Research
This chapter covers what sponsored research is and how externally funded projects are managed across the full award lifecycle.It summarizes PI eligibility, core responsibilities, and institutional expectations for compliance and stewardship.
Chapter 2: Institutional Organization – Research Support Offices and Staff
This chapter covers CSUSB’s research administration structure and the roles of offices that support sponsored projects.It explains where to go for pre-award services, post-award management, compliance, and research development support.
Chapter 3: Federal Uniform Guidance, Agency Guidelines, University Policies
This chapter covers the regulatory framework for sponsored research, including Uniform Guidance and sponsor requirements.It connects federal and agency rules to CSU/CSUSB policies that govern proposal submission and award administration.
Chapter 4: Identifying Funding Opportunities
This chapter covers how to identify and evaluate internal and external funding opportunities aligned with research goals. It introduces key resources and search strategies to build a sustainable and competitive funding pipeline.
Chapter 5: Preparing a Proposal
This chapter covers the proposal development process, including technical narrative preparation and required administrative elements.It emphasizes compliance-ready documentation and sponsor-specific formatting expectations.
Chapter 6: Budgets
This chapter covers sponsored project budgeting, including direct costs, F&A/indirect costs, and cost allowability principles. It outlines budget justification standards, cost-sharing considerations, and subaward budgeting requirements.
Chapter 7: Proposal Submission
This chapter covers internal routing, institutional approvals, and electronic submission procedures for proposals.It emphasizes timeline management and required documentation to ensure authorized, compliant submissions.
Chapter 8: Research Compliance
This chapter covers core compliance areas such as IRB, IACUC, COI, export controls, and research integrity requirements. It outlines the required training, approvals, and documentation needed before and during project implementation.
Chapter 9: PI Roles & Responsibilities (Pre-award)
This chapter covers PI responsibilities during proposal development, including scope definition, coordination, and compliance inputs.It clarifies institutional authorization steps and expectations for timely collaboration with ORSP.
Chapter 10: Getting Started with Post-award
This chapter covers award start-up processes such as acceptance, account setup, and project launch readiness.It highlights early operational steps for hiring, procurement, subawards, and compliance activation.
Chapter 11: Financial Management & Compliance
This chapter covers financial stewardship for sponsored awards, including allowable cost management and internal controls.It addresses effort reporting, documentation standards, and common audit risk areas.
Chapter 12: Project & Technical Reporting
This chapter covers sponsor reporting obligations, including technical/progress reports and performance deliverables. It emphasizes meeting deadlines and maintaining consistency across technical and financial reporting.
Chapter 13: Closeout & Audit Preparedness
This chapter covers closeout requirements such as final reports, financial reconciliation, and records retention.It outlines audit readiness practices and documentation expectations to support reviews and compliance.
Chapter 14: Post-Award PI Roles & Responsibilities
This chapter covers PI accountability for project execution, compliance oversight, and sponsor communication during the award.It emphasizes monitoring scope, budget, and reporting to maintain good standing and avoid noncompliance.