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Early identification of a funding opportunity helps a Principal Investigator (PI) plan strategically, assess sponsor fit, and prepare for competitive proposal development. To support research development, the Harvard Graduate School of Education Office of Sponsored Projects (HGSE OSP):

• Conducts customized funding searches based on specific funding needs
• Disseminates funding opportunities through regular newsletters and targeted communications
• Coordinates limited submissions and nomination opportunities
• Maintains a curated library of successful proposals (shared upon request and as available)
• Offers training on the use of funding databases (PIVOT, Foundation Directory) and shares available grantsmanship resources
• Provides guidance on interpreting funding opportunities, assessing fit, and planning ahead for proposal timelines

Confirm your PI eligibility and search for funding opportunities on HGSE OSP’s Find Funding page.

Preparing a proposal is a collaborative endeavor, and the complete and final proposal package must be reviewed internally by the Harvard University Office for Sponsored Programs (HU-OSP) before the full proposal is submitted to the sponsor. As the PI, you are primarily responsible for the programmatic and content-based components of the proposal, such as the project narrative.[FG2.1][FG2.2] Your Research Portfolio Manager (link to PM assignments) will take the lead on financial and administrative aspects. Your Portfolio Manager will:

• Review sponsor guidelines, eligibility, deadlines, and submission requirements.
• Create submission checklist and timeline, factoring in subaward/consultant/vendor/stakeholder documentation, if applicable
• Develop budget and budget justification, as well as other required application components
• Coordinate internal approvals, institutional routing, and required compliance documentation.
• Submit or coordinate submission with the central sponsored programs office, as applicable.

Visit HGSE OSP’s website to learn how to prepare and submit a proposal.

Once a proposal is under consideration for funding or selected for award, HGSE OSP will help move the project from proposal stage to active award administration. Your Portfolio Manager will:

• Coordinate just-in-time submissions and updates requested during sponsor review
• Review award terms, budget, project period, and reporting requirements (HU-OSP negotiates with input from PI and PM, as needed)
• Confirm compliance requirements, including IRB, data use, subawards, any required disclosures, and sponsor-specific approvals
• Coordinate account setup and budget allocation
• Support project launch and clarify roles, timelines, and spending expectations

Visit HU-OSP’s website to learn more about award setup.

During the active award period, HGSE OSP staff help PIs manage the administrative, financial, and compliance responsibilities needed to keep projects on track. Your Portfolio Manager will:

• Approve funding when contacted by Human Resources (links to the resource) and Faculty Affairs (links to the resource) to hire project staff initiated by PI
• Engage other entities (subawards, vendors, and consultants) and track invoice payments
• Monitor grant fund spending, balances, effort, and allowability of costs, per University and sponsor guidelines and restrictions
• Support ongoing compliance with sponsor and University requirements, including conflict of interest disclosures, data use, human subjects, international activities, and other award-specific terms, as applicable
• Assist with financial reporting, projections, sponsor communications
• Support rebudgets, prior approval requests, no-cost extensions, and other award modifications
• Help identify and resolve administrative or financial issues during the project period
  
  Visit HGSE OSP’s website to learn more about managing your grant.

As the project period ends, timely closeout helps ensure the award is completed in good standing and that any remaining sponsor or University obligations are addressed. Your Portfolio Manager will:

• Review final expenses and ensure costs are allowable, allocable, and posted on time
• Coordinate final invoicing, subaward closeout, and payroll adjustments, and confirm that expenses do not continue beyond the award end date
• Support final financial reporting, coordinate required institutional approvals, and help ensure timely submission of financial and technical reports to the sponsor
• Note any compliance requirements extending beyond an award, such as document retention or data destruction

Visit HU-OSP’s website to learn more about award closeout.