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Proposal Guidance & FAQs

How can I find funding opportunities?


The Concept & Funding section in the Award Lifecycle provides information to assist with locating funding opportunities.

Which Indirect Cost Rate is appropriate for my project?


Information is provided in the Award Lifecycle pertaining to indirect cost rates. For more specific questions, please contact your department's Sponsored Programs Officer. Search here to locate your assigned SPS.

How do I submit my proposal in RAMSeS?


A proposal is submitted via an Internal Processing Form (IPF) in RAMSeS. It is then reviewed by either the Office of Sponsored Programs or the Sponsored Programs Office. Please see our Submitting an IPF Guidance for more details.

What is a Financial Guarantee?


A Financial Guarantee is the process departments utilize to request project IDs for proposals that are expected to be funded but have not yet been awarded. This allows for expenses to be charged for that research.

How do I Submit a Financial Guarantee?



  1. Log on to RAMSeS with your ONYEN

  2. Under Proposal dashboard select either:

    • My Proposals, if you personally created and submitted the proposal

    • Proposals Affiliated With or

    • PI Certification Inbox, if you are listed on the Research Team Dept.

    • Approval Inbox, if you are an IPF Approver and wish to submit a LOG for a proposal that your department previously certified



  3. Depending on your option selection in Step 2, you will either select the tab labeled “Submitted Proposals” or “Previously Reviewed Proposals”

  4. Identify the IPF number and open the Proposal

  5. Select the tab named Financial Guarantee and click the appropriate links.

Can I extend my financial guarantee dates?


Yes, if there is significant documentation showing that the award is still pending from the sponsor, OSP may approve a 90-day extension of an existing financial guarantee. See OSP Operating Standard 300.03 - Procedure 1 for more information.

What is the deadline for getting proposals to OSP?


All proposals are due at a minimum of 5 days prior to the sponsor's submittal deadline. Please see Operating Standard 300.03 - Deadlines for Proposal Submission to University Offices for information on deadlines for proposal submission.

Who will review my proposal?


OSP shares responsibility with the School of Medicine Sponsored Programs Office for proposal review and approval based on the sponsor. Please click here for a detailed breakdown of responsibilities.

How do I request access in RAMSeS to manage awards?


Access to RAMSeS is provided by your department's Role Manager via Backbone.

What is Backbone?


Backbone is the system that manages functional and data access roles for Office of Research Information Systems (ORIS), such as RAMSeS, IRBIS, and Blue.

How do I find my department's Backbone Role Manager?


Go to Backbone, click the Department link and search by your departments code or name. Click on the code's hyperlink and select the Assigned Roles tab. For more information, please review our Backbone guidance document.

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