Submitting Proposals to an External Sponsor:

Follow these essential steps when preparing a proposal for submission to an external sponsor (e.g., federal, state, private, non-profit, or for-profit) for sponsored research and projects:

  1. Identify Proposal Support Resources

    Connect with key team members who will assist you throughout the proposal development process:

    • Pre-Award Resource: Manages proposal development, including LIRA record initiation, budget creation, document collection, and an initial administrative review
    • Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) Contract and Grant Specialist: Provides guidance during proposal development, conducts the final compliance review, and submits the proposal to the sponsor on behalf of the University
  2. Request Lehigh University Affiliations

    Request affiliation with Lehigh University in relevant sponsor systems (e.g., Grants.gov, Research.gov, eRA Commons) and update your profile details in applicable platforms (e.g., ORCID, SciENcv) as soon as you arrive at Lehigh. 

  3. Review the ORSP Proposal Submission Policy

    Familiarize yourself with the internal deadlines. Proposals must be submitted to ORSP a minimum of five working days prior to the sponsor deadline.

  4. Review the Research Essentials Handbook and Certify Completion

    Note: Completing this review is required before submitting your first sponsored proposal through Lehigh.

  5. Complete Required Training for Researchers

    All researchers must complete the Responsible Conduct of Research module through the CITI platform along with any additional training as required by your sponsor.

  6. Explore the LIRA System and Training Resources

    Visit the LIRA training page to learn how to use Lehigh's Integrated Research Administration (LIRA) system for proposal development, submission, sponsored agreement initiation, and award administration.

  7. Create Your Proposal in LIRA

    Initiate your proposal in LIRA to begin your submission and launch the internal routing and approval workflow. If this is your first time using LIRA or you’d like a quick refresher, your pre-award resource is happy to walk you through the process step-by-step.

 
Questions or Concerns?

Reach out to your pre-award support team (i.e., pre-award resource or ORSP contract and grant specialists) to discuss any questions, timeline issues, or special circumstances.

Transfer an Award:

If you are transferring an award to Lehigh from your prior institution, be sure to provide the name and contact information of the responsible sponsored research administrator at the institution previously responsible for the award.

Industry Contracts:
  • ORSP can help navigate relationships and agreements with Industry Sponsors. Reach out to your ORSP CGS first to begin discussions. ORSP is prepared to assist you in creating, negotiating and executing research agreements. Contact us early so we can collaboratively work to make your negotiations successful.
  • Consider utilizing the Corporate and Foundations Relations (CFR) team to assist in your interactions with Industry and Foundation Sponsors. Contact your department/college administrator to identify and put you in touch with your CFR contact.
 
Other requirements/Information: