Forms and Downloads

Forms and downloads related to proposal development and award management at UWM. If you are unable to locate a specific resource Please contact the Office of Sponsored Programs.

Award Acceptance/Management

Form or Download Instructions / Notes Last modified
Account Backstop Request for New Awards (WISPER System) (.docx) If a PI needs to spend funds for an award prior to receipt of the official award, an Account Backstop allows charges against a project in the absence of official documentation. The Principal Investigator’s School/College/Division is liable for all charges allocated on an account backstop if the award is not finalized or accepted. PI’s may request an account backstop via WISPER . 9/15/2021
Account Backstop Request for New Awards(.docx) If a PI needs to spend funds for an award prior to receipt of the official award, an Account Backstop allows charges against a project in the absence of official documentation. The Principal Investigator’s School/College/Division is liable for all charges allocated on an account backstop if the award is not finalized or accepted. PI’s may request an account backstop via hard copy. 1/13/2016
Account Backstop Request for Existing Awards (.docx) If a PI needs to spend funds for an EXISTING award prior to receipt of a no-cost extension, or the next period of funding, an Account Backstop allows charges against a project in the absence of official documentation. The Principal Investigator’s School/College/Division is liable for all charges allocated on an account backstop if the award is not extended or next increment of funding is not received. PI’s may request an account backstop via hard copy. 5/13/2021
Direct Retro Funding Distribution (i.e., Salary Cash Transfer) (PDF) There are certain limitations on fund transfers on sponsored projects. See UW System Administrative Policy 308: Budget Transfers . Work closely with the Post-Award Specialist assigned to your School/College/Division to handle these requests. 11/11/2014
No-Cost Extension (PDF) Under certain circumstances PIs may request a no-cost extension to defer the end-date of a project. 6/9/2020
UWM Fixed Price Sponsored Research Agreement Template (.docx) UWM’s Standard Terms and Conditions for Fixed Price Research Agreements. 2/15/2022
UWM Cost Reimbursable Sponsored Research Agreement Template (.docx) UWM’s Standard Terms and Conditions for Cost Reimbursable Research Agreements. 2/15/2022

Compliance Forms

Form or Download Instructions / Notes Last modified
Animal Resource Center Forms (Web page) Forms, downloads, and resources for researchers whose work includes research on animals at UWM.
Biological Safety and Health Forms (Web page) For researchers who use biological agents, r-DNA, and transgenic vertebrate animals.
Conflict of Interest Guidelines Information about the various possible conflict of interest compliance. If you have questions, please contact the COI Committee at or-fcoi@uwm.edu. 7/20/2021
Conflict of Interest Management Plan (.docx) The Conflict of Interest Committee will notify you if you need to complete this form. If you have questions, please contact the COI Committee at or-fcoi@uwm.edu. 4/15/2021
Human Research Protection Program/Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the Protection of Human Subjects (Web page) Forms, downloads, and resources for researchers whose work includes research with human subjects.
Material Transfer Agreement (.docx) This simple letter for transfer of materials template may be used for materials coming to UWM. 12/1/2014
Invention Disclosure The UWM Research Foundation serves as the Technology Transfer Office for the University. Faculty, staff, and students with potential inventions to disclose must use the Inventor Portal .
Radiation Safety (Web page) For researchers who use radioactive materials in research activities at UWM.
Subcontractor Federal Conflict of Interest Documentation Form (Organizational) (.docx) Required for subrecipients on UWM submissions to Public Health Service (PHS) agencies or those agencies that have adopted the PHS financial conflict of interest policy. 12/15/2014
Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement (.docx) This template is used by most educational and non-profit entities for the transfer of biological materials to UWM. 12/1/2014

Proposal Development

Form or Download Instructions / Notes Last modified
Budget Tool (.xlsx) Enables researchers to develop accurate and compliant budgets for sponsored projects. The Tool is programmed with the latest rates for fringe benefits and salaries for research assistants. Researchers are strongly encouraged to use the tool to develop their budgets. Budgets must be attached to the relevant WISPER record to facilitate institutional review and approvals. 12/15/22
Differences between a National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health Proposal [Bioscience] (PDF) Provides a general overview of the differences between an NSF and NIH proposal in bioscience fields. Applicants MUST review their specific NSF Program Solicitation or NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement for detailed instructions on developing a proposal. 3/25/2024
Differences between a National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health Proposal [Social Sciences] (PDF) Provides a general overview of the differences between an NSF and NIH proposal in social science fields. Applicants MUST review their specific NSF Program Solicitation or NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement for detailed instructions on developing a proposal. 3/25/2024
Frequently Requested Information (Web page) Standard institutional information for developing and submitting grant proposals.
Grants.gov Workspace User Instructions (PDF) To create or participate in the preparation of a Grants.gov Workspace proposal, you must be registered in Grants.gov with an Organization Applicant Profile linked to UWM. 1/4/2018
Grants.gov Applicant Resources Resources for developing and submitting proposals via the Grants.gov. Faculty and staff should NOT register with Grants.gov–the Office of Sponsored Programs maintains UWM‘s Grants.gov account.
National Institutes of Health eRA Commons Registration Form (.docx) All principal investigators and personnel on NIH-funded projects that have more than one person month of effort must have an eRA Commons account (including undergraduate and graduate students). Please complete the Registration Form and return it to your Pre-Award Specialist.
National Institutes of Health Proposal Checklist (.docx) for New Proposals Provides a general overview of the requirements for submitting a new NIH proposal. Applicants MUST review their specific Funding Opportunity Announcement for deviations to the general proposal instructions. 5/17/2016
National Institutes of Health Proposal Checklist (.docx) for Renewal Proposals Provides a general overview of the requirements for submitting a renewal NIH proposal. Applicants MUST review their specific Funding Opportunity Announcement for deviations to the general proposal instructions. 5/17/2016
National Institutes of Health Proposal Checklist (.docx) for Resubmission Proposals Provides a general overview of the requirements for resubmitting an NIH proposal. Applicants MUST review their specific Funding Opportunity Announcement for deviations to the general proposal instructions. 5/17/2016
National Science Foundation Post-Doctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan (PDF) All NSF proposals that request a post-doctoral researcher must include a mentoring plan. 11/11/2014
National Science Foundation Proposal Checklist (.docx) Provides an abbreviated, two-page overview of the requirements for submitting NSF proposals. Applicants MUST review their specific program solicitation for deviations to the general proposal instructions. 11/25/2016
National Science Foundation Proposal Preparation and Submission Guide (.docx) Provides a general, descriptive overview of the requirements for submitting NSF proposals, as well as the merit review criteria. Applicants MUST review their specific program solicitation for deviations to the general proposal instructions. 11/25/2016
National Science Foundation Safe and Inclusive Work Environment Plans Guidance(.docx) Provides an overview of the NSF policy for Safe and Inclusive Work Environment Plans (SAI) for off-campus for off-site research along with internal guidance for developing and submitting required SAI plans. 5/18/23
National Science Foundation Safe and Inclusive Work Environment Plans: Process Template(.docx) Process template that includes the required categories for developing NSF Safe and Inclusive Work Environment Plans (SAI) for off-campus or off-site research. 5/18/23
Notice of Intent to Apply to Limited-Submission Program (.docx) Informs the Office of Research of a PI’s intent to submit a proposal to a program in which the grant sponsor limits the number of applications UWM may submit. The Office of Research will hold an internal competition only if the Notices of Intent received exceed the number of submissions allowed by the sponsor. 1/8/2018
Proposal Submission and Preparation Checklist for Federal and Private Agencies (.docx) Provides a general overview of the proposal components required for most federal and non-federal sponsors. This checklist it is not intended to be all-inclusive nor substitute a thorough review prior to submission to the sponsor. 5/17/2016
Request for Limited PI Status (.docx) To request PI status for someone who would not be typically eligible. Send the signed form and CV to grant-notice@uwm.edu for review. 7/15/2020
Sample SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance (PDF) Provides guidance for researchers developing standard federal grant application packages that require the SF-424 form. 7/1/2023
Sample SF-424 R&R: Application for Federal Assistance (PDF) Provides guidance for researchers developing standard federal grant application packages that require the SF-424 R&R form (including Public Health Service [PHS] agencies). 7/1/2023
Statement of Intent to Enter into a Consortium Agreement (.docx) UWM subrecipients must provide a signed Statement of Intent to Enter into a Consortium Agreement prior to proposal submission. 12/2/2014
Tax Exemption Letter (PDF) This letter will typically satisfy sponsor requirements regarding UWM‘s tax exempt status. 6/16/2021
Wisconsin Proposal Electronic Routing (WISPER) System (Web page) Information regarding the use of WISPER, UWM‘s system for routing proposals and awards for approval at various levels within the University.