Office of Research Development

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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  I need funding for a research project. Can I get a grant for it?
  Well designed, innovative research is always a good thing! A fundable project marries well designed research with a funder's priorities and goals. Researchers who design a project with a funder's priorities in mind are more successful. Research Development can help you look for research money using our funding databases.
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  I've never written a grant. Do I have to do all the grant writing myself?
  Research Development has many resources for grant writing. We have templates for certain grants that we can share with you. We also have grant writing seminars in December and in the spring. Email rdadmin@byu.edu for more information on our grant writing workshops. You may have a Research Development Specialist in your college that can help you with grant writing. View our directory to find the person that can help you.
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  I'm planning my budget for my first grant. What is indirect costs (F&A) and why does BYU use them?
  Indirect costs are resources BYU spends in support of more than one activity or program where this support cannot be tracked directly to any of the individual activities of the organization. Utility costs, general administrative expenses, depreciation of equipment and facilities are common categories of indirect costs. BYU collects indirect costs on grants to help recover the university's investment in the research activities at the university. Learn more about indirect costs here.
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  I have a small sub-award from a collaborator at another institution. Can they just send the money to my account?
  BYU has accounting procedures to ensure funds that come to the university for research and student support are appropriately documented. If you are planning on receiving a sub-award as part of a research collaboration, you will need to use the kuali system to "submit" that grant proposal. Learn more about sponsored research here. You might want to check out kuali training modules. Remember, you are not alone in this process. Contact rdadmin@byu.edu with questions about subawards.
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  I’ve seen some grants ask for Broader Impacts Statements. What are Broader Impacts?
  Broader impacts statements reflect the goal of funders to extend knowledge learned from research to the broader community. Instead of keeping knowledge stored safely in the silos of academic journals and the halls of our institutions of learning, researchers are charged with developing plans to sow seeds of knowledge in the community. BYU is already invested and involved with broader impact activities— working with these groups may enhance your broader impact statement or help you develop ideas! Check out Research Development’s Broader Impacts page. Learn more about Broader impacts Statements here.
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  What is Kuali?
  Kuali is the software BYU uses to track grant proposals and awards. Faculty seeking funding will enter their proposal information in Kuali, then department chairs, deans, and the Research Administration office provide approvals. The software is set up to be able to directly submit your grant to federal agencies. Want to learn more? This resource provides information about navigating the Kuali system. Here is a self-paced, online Kuali tutorial.
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  The grant I'm looking at has a program officer listed. Who is that and what is their role in me getting funding?
  Program officers serve as a point of contact for foundation and government funding agencies. Program officers can answer questions about funding opportunities, provide suggestions on how to align a proposal to the funder's mission and advocate for your proposal. Learn more : 5 Tips For Working With A Program Officer