The PI must obtain the required endorsement of the department chair or center/institute director, dean or vice-president (if necessary) on the UWF Internal Routing Form (IRF) before a proposal can be submitted to a funding agency. The IRF and supplemental forms are located in Forms.

This IRF must be completed for each project or modification of a project and should be routed with a copy of the proposal through the proper university channels. When routing a proposal that involves participation by more than one department, unit, or college, signatures from each collaborating department/college must be included on the IRF. Proposals submitted through a University Institute/Center require the additional signatures of the institute/center director and the appropriate dean or vice-president.

Prior to routing the proposal for signatures, the faculty member should use the Summary Questionnaire for Proposal Development to make sure the proposal is complete in all respects.

• PI is responsible for the budget, technical content, quality and preparation of the proposal and for determining when supplemental conditions such as additional resources, IRB, Animal Subjects, Conflict of Interest, Export Control, or Proprietary Information are applicable.
• Department Chair or Center/Institute Director is responsible for certifying to the academic soundness of the project, the compatibility of the project with the PI's other commitments, approval of release time, the availability of space and facilities, cost-sharing commitments, assuring that the project is in keeping with department objectives, and concurring that the proposal should be submitted.
• Dean of the college or vice-president of a division is responsible for determining the appropriateness of the project within college/division program, and that resources will be available.
• RSP is responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and university administrative rules. Problems of institutional financing, cost sharing, prior acceptance of contractual terms, academic policies and budget matters may be resolved here. RSP is also responsible for ensuring that the content meets with acceptable rules and standards of the university, and for reviewing matters involving human participants, DNA research, hazardous substances, export control review, and the experimental use of animals.

The IRF is submitted, along with the original proposal and other required documents, to your RSP Grants Specialist. Proposals to all U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) require the Significant Financial Interest Disclosure Form (Word) be submitted along with the proposal and IRF. Other sponsors may have similar policies and each sponsor’s guidelines should be reviewed to determine if there is a requirement for this certification. The UWF policy regarding Financial Conflict of Interest and Approval of Outside Activity and the related forms are available on the Academic Affairs web site.

Preliminary proposals, concept papers, and statements of interest differ from verbal inquiries because they have a developed work statement and a budget broken down into general cost groupings. These submissions also require the IRF prior to submission to the potential sponsor.