Sponsored Project Lifecycle
Learn about the phases of the sponsored project lifecycle at the University of Michigan, from finding funding to closeout. Throughout this process, faculty, research administrators and central offices such as the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects work collaboratively to safeguard and advance research.
Find Funding
Discover the tools and offices at the University of Michigan that help researchers identify and secure funding, from federal grants to private foundation support.
Develop Proposal
The Develop Proposal phase of a sponsored project focuses on crafting a competitive proposal narrative and a budget that meets both the sponsor’s guidelines and U-M’s policies.
Route & Submit
All proposals for external funding that qualify as sponsored projects must be routed through the University of Michigan’s electronic eResearch system to the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects. Learn more about the Route and Submit process at U-M.
Negotiate & Accept
In the Negotiate and Accept phase of a sponsored project, contract officers within the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects work directly with sponsors and other U-M central offices to review and negotiate legal terms and conditions.
Set Up Project
During the Set Up phase of a sponsored project, University of Michigan central offices must complete several steps, including establishing financial tracking, before project work can officially begin.
Manage Project
The Manage Project phase, often the longest in the sponsored project lifecycle, involves all activities necessary to execute the research scope of work.
Close Out Project
The Close Out phase of a sponsored research project ensures all obligations to the sponsor are met upon project close, including final technical and financial reports, invention disclosures, and equipment transfers.
Compliance and Ethics
Learn about the U-M offices and units that manage and ensure regulatory and institutional research compliance across sponsored activities.
Who does what?
The Research Administration Advisory Council created a series of documents outlining who does what in a sponsored project lifecycle. Find essential information on the roles and responsibilities of those involved at each phase of the sponsored project lifecycle.
eResearch Proposal Management
The eResearch Proposal Management (eRPM) system is used for the electronic routing, approval and submission of proposal approval forms (PAFs) and unfunded agreements (UFAs) to external sponsors, clinical trials routing forms and awards. Throughout the ORSP website are links to eRPM guides for given topics. Visit the ITS eRPM page for more information, including training, step-by-step guides and release notes.