| Checkpoint | Example | Things to Consider |
| Deadline/ Due Date/ Target Date | "Full proposals must be received by 5 p.m. on March 1." | Does the deadline leave adequate time to develop a quality proposal and obtain administrative approval of it?
If in doubt, contact OSPR for an estimate of the time commitment involved. |
| Average size of grant award | "The average award will be $50,000." | How close is the average award size to your estimated project budget?
Could your project be scaled up or down to bring the two into better alignment? |
| Range of grant awards | "Awards will range from $250,000 - $500,000." | See questions above. |
| Cost share (or "match") | "Applicants must provide cost sharing that meets or exceeds 30% of the total project costs." | If cost share or "match" is required, contact OSPR to learn more about your options for meeting this requirement. |
| Duration of Awards | "Awards will be made for periods up to 3 years." | Will funding be available for long enough to enable you to complete your project? |
| Availability of funds | "A total of $5 million will be awarded." | How large is the total "pot of money" being distributed?
Will funds be distributed statewide?
Nationally?
Has the agency already secured the funding, or is it available pending legislative approval? |
| Funding ratio | "In past years, an average of 1 in 5 proposals have been funded." | How do the "odds" that your proposal will be funded compare to the time you will invest in completing it? (A funding ratio of 1 in 2 is excellent. Anything beyond 1 in 5 is highly competitive.) |
| Eligibility | "An IHE (institution of higher education) must serve as fiscal agent."
"Applicants must hold the terminal degree in their field."
"This program serves low-income, first generation students." | Is DePaul eligible to receive an award through this funding program?
Do you meet all of the eligibility requirements for project directors/ principal investigators?
Is the target population one that your project could serve? |
| Multiple submissions allowed/ Not allowed | "Only one proposal per institution will be considered." | If multiple submissions are not allowed, contact OSPR before beginning your proposal to find out if others are applying. |
| Priorities | "Priority given to projects focusing on Eastern Europe." | Can your project address any stated priorities, making it fully competitive? |
| Partnerships | "Awards will be made to consortia that include at least one university, one school district, and one corporate partner." | Do you have professional contacts that could be leveraged to help create the partnerships that are needed? |
| Exclusions and Restrictions | "No funding provided for construction and renovation."
"Grant funds may not be used to purchase equipment." | Do the budget guidelines for this program exclude key items that you will need to carry out your project? |
