Funding Opportunities

Seeking external funding is a collaborative process that includes ORGA and, in some cases, Rhode Island College Foundation (RICF). Notifying college administration of an interest in obtaining external funding through the External Funding Interest form is required in cases where a potential sponsor is not yet identified.

Roles and Responsibilities when seeking funds

PI (Principal Investigator)

• Discuss your proposal/project idea with your Chair or Dean. Consider logistical and cost sharing requirements of your project, including course release, facilities, equipment, technology and other needs, as well as ongoing support they require.
• Notify administration of your interest in seeking funds using the External Funding Interest (EFI) form when the sponsor is unknown or the proposal is not in response to a specific Program Announcement (PA) or Request for Proposals (RFP).
• Begin the search for sponsors using funding search tools and information from colleagues, collaborations and conferences/journals.
• Notify ORGA or RICF of potential grant deadlines as early as possible. Proposals must be submitted through one of these offices, as determined by the nature of your project (and the guidance in the ORGA/RICF Delineation of Responsibilities). The appropriate office must be notified of your intent to meet a grant deadline to ensure a timely submission.

ORGA (Office of Research and Grants Administration)

• Research, identify, and inform faculty of potential funding opportunities in areas of institutional priority and faculty expertise. Sponsors may be public agencies or private foundations.
• Support faculty in identifying potential funding and securing institutional approval. Assist in program development, as appropriate.
• Build relationships with other academic institutions and external agencies to expand RIC's opportunities for collaborative research and program funding.
• Remain knowledgeable of public and private funding trends to help faculty take advantage of new areas of opportunity.
• Collaborate with RICF wherever possible to expand funding opportunities from a full range of sources.
• Submit grant applications with an academic focus when a RIC-associated faculty/staff member(s) identified as the PI(s) is conducting research, implementing a program, and/or undertaking a specific project with deliverables. The project supported by funding generally has a term.

RICF (RIC Foundation)

• Similar pre-award work as ORGA (above), with focus on grants requesting support for endowment, faculty chairs, scholarships, fellowships and naming opportunities, as well as all projects related to capital improvements, equipment, technology, and other physical elements that support the general operation of the college.
• Serve as applicant (unless disallowed) and fiscal agent on these grants.

External Funding Interest Form

In cases where the funder is unknown or the project is not yet defined, completing the External Funding Interest (EFI) form begins the fundseeking and proposal development process. It is not required when a proposal is being submitted to a specific funder in response to a competitive grant cycle.

Collaboration between departments ensures that each approved project receives the highest level of support from appropriate staff. When suitable, project support may also be sought from individuals through RICF. The respective office will contact the PI after approval of the EFI form to offer assistance with fundseeking and proposal development.

Please note that institutional approval is required for ALL funding proposals, whether submitted through ORGA or RICF.

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