FAQ

• Questions about finding funding   
• Questions about eligibility   
• Questions about grant-writing/grant management  
• Questions about the approval process 

Questions About Finding Funding

How will I find out about funding that matches my interest areas?

The ORSP will contact you to set up a meeting to discuss your research interests during the fall semester of your first year. In many cases, this initial contact will occur during the summer prior to your arrival at Loyola. Once the meeting has occurred, the ORSP will conduct a funding search using two databases. As we become acquainted with your interest areas we also will send you email alerts when relevant funding notices are announced. Finally, the ORSP maintains a webpage that has link to major fellowships and grant pages for many federal agencies.  

What if I prefer to search funding sources on my own?

That’s great! Loyola subscribes to the ExLibris Pivot-RP. You can access it through any computer on campus at https://pivot.prorequest.com/. This database is designed to meet the needs of the academic community and includes 400,000 funding opportunities that span all disciplinary areas. You may also wish to explore grants.gov, which includes all federal grant announcements. While both of these resources are easy to use, the ORSP is happy to meet with you should you have questions about either of these databases. Please also look for opportunities on the websites of your professional associations.  

What if ORSP hasn’t contacted me yet?

While ORSP will send a letter to new tenure-track faculty members prior to their arrival at Loyola, it’s possible that we did not receive your contact information prior to our mailing. We’re sorry we haven’t been in touch. Please contact us at your earliest convenience. 

What if the ORSP has completed a funding search for me and has not found any good matches?

Please contact orsp@loyola.edu to let us know this. It’s not uncommon for searches to be refocused, and we’re happy to work with you on this. Knowing why a particular funding source wasn’t quite right will help us to work with you to identify new more appropriate opportunities.

I’ve heard that there won’t be any funding opportunities available for me because I’m not a U.S. citizen. What should I do?

Talk to the ORSP staff member. We’ll work with you to find something appropriate to your needs. Also, the Community of Science and other resources contain funding announcements from countries and regions outside the U.S.

Questions About Eligibility

I brought a grant with me from a previous institution. Will that “count” for purposes of the tenure-track research leave?

Your chair and dean will make that determination. Factors that may be considered include but are not limited to the nature of the grant received; the period of support that is being provided (are you finishing up a three-year grant that you are bringing from another institution or is this a new award for research that you will be conducting at Loyola?); your role in the project; and the grant’s fit with your research program. 

I want to apply as a co-PI on a grant. Will that “count” for purposes of the tenure-track research leave?

Your chair and dean will make that determination during the pre-application phase. The primary factor to be considered is the level of contribution that you are making to the project. This should be articulated in the project description of the pre-application.

What kinds of grants are eligible?

The tenure-track research leave seeks to facilitate research productivity amongst faculty. External funding that supports research, whether through grants or fellowships, will help to support this objective. Other types of support may also be appropriate. Approval of the pre-application provides confirmation that the proposed external funding source is eligible.

My field doesn’t have many research grant opportunities. Will a curriculum or program-development grant be acceptable?

The program is designed to be flexible, taking into account variations across disciplines. Your plans should be explained in the pre-application so that the dean can confirm whether or not they are appropriate.

I wrote a grant in my first year here but it doesn’t relate to my research and I did not submit a pre-application.  Will it count?

Talk to your chair and dean. They will make a determination based upon factors such as the type of grant submitted and your research program.  

Questions About Grant-Writing and Grant Management

I’ve never written a grant application before. What kinds of resources are available to me?

The ORSP has expertise in this area and can provide support in the development of an application. We suggest that you get in touch with us early on so as to facilitate the development of a strong proposal. Additionally, the ORSP has resources available to support faculty attendance at grant-writing workshops.  If you feel this would be helpful to you, contact orsp@loyola.edu.

Do I have to receive the external grant to receive the tenure-track research leave?

No, though we hope that your application will be successful!

I received the grant!  Now what do I do?

Congratulations! We’re thrilled that your application was successful.  If you have received a fellowship that is paid directly to you, please let us know. We want to make sure that all are aware of your achievement. If you have received external funding that will be managed by Loyola, in addition to making all aware of the award, we will be in touch to set up a meeting to get you started. A grant account will be established and the ORSP and the financial services division will work jointly to support your efforts.

I didn’t receive the grant. Now what do I do?

We’re sorry that you weren’t successful. Oftentimes, through responding to reviewers’ comments, revising and resubmitting, a second application will be successful. Please set up an appointment with the ORSP so we can discuss next steps.

Questions About the Approval Process

I’ve submitted my grant. When will I receive confirmation that my leave has been granted?

The final application for approval form notifies the dean that you have completed the steps required for approval of the tenure-track research leave. The information is gathered throughout the year and forwarded periodically to the dean and vice president for academic affairs. Approval letters will be distributed at least twice a year: in November and in March.