Before you request support
Start early so we can provide the strongest support
Most services require advance notice, complete materials, and an internal request through the RDC services form. Learn more about our comprehensive research proposal support below:
From idea to submission, RDC helps faculty craft competitive, compelling proposals. Whether you're pursuing large-scale center funding or submitting your first grant, our team supports you through each phase: planning, writing, reviewing, and coordinating logistics.
How we help
- Developing timelines and checklists
- Managing team communications and agency coordination
- Hosting strategy meetings and deadline planning sessions
- Reviewing proposal drafts for clarity, structure, and agency alignment
- Assisting with coordination between the project team, ORS, and external partners
- Providing high-level proposal review and feedback to ensure sponsor requirements are met
- Connecting faculty with editors knowledgeable in grant writing
- Interpreting reviewer comments to strengthen resubmissions
Timing matters
To ensure a high-quality review, proposal drafts should be submitted at least 7 business days in advance of the agency deadline.
Shorter timelines may limit the depth of review RDC can provide.
View proposal submission guidelines
Submission Requirements
The entire proposal package, including all necessary components, must be submitted in near-final draft form and comply with all relevant requirements. Submissions that do not meet the requirements or are incomplete may be delayed or returned for revisions.
Texas Tech PIs are expected to manage all external forms necessary from external co-PIs and work with the Office of Research Services to submit.
The draft of the proposal text must be submitted at least 7 business days prior to the submission deadline to allow for initial review and feedback.
Internal Documentation
Faculty and staff must complete an Internal Engagement Form to document all requests and interactions with RDC staff.
Review Process
- Complete Review: Submissions received 7 or more business days before the deadline may receive a thorough review, including proposal structure, content, and compliance with submission guidelines.
- Limited Review: Submissions received 4–6 business days before the deadline may receive a limited review focused on critical sections only.
- Expedited Review: Submissions received 2–3 business days before the deadline may receive only limited feedback. The quality and scope of feedback cannot be guaranteed due to time constraints, and this option is only allowable under rare circumstances.
- Late Submissions: Late submissions may result in a very limited review. RDC reserves the right to prioritize on-time submissions over late requests and may decline extremely late submissions.
Engagement agreement and compliance
Faculty and staff must sign an Engagement Agreement Form to initiate services. This ensures all parties understand the scope, requirements, and deadlines of the project.
Meeting the deadlines outlined in this policy is essential to ensure project completion. Late or incomplete submissions may result in limited support or reprioritization of resources.
SCAN sessions help faculty strengthen proposals before submission or make sense of reviewer feedback after a declined submission.
Pre-submission SCANs
RDC will conduct a review of your grant proposal in its near-finished state, typically 1/2 to 2/3 complete. This high-level review focuses on the solicitation's review criteria and the agency's expectations.
Resubmission SCANs
RDC will meet with you to discuss reviewer comments for your declined proposal and help you strategize for a successful resubmission.
View SCAN submission guidelines
Pre-submission SCANs
To take advantage of this service, send your proposal and solicitation.
Resubmission SCANs
To get started, send your rejected narrative along with the reviews.
Engagement agreement and compliance
Faculty and staff must sign an Engagement Agreement Form to initiate services. This ensures all parties understand the scope, requirements, and deadlines of the project.
Meeting the deadlines outlined in this policy is essential to ensure project completion. Late or incomplete submissions may result in limited support or reprioritization of resources.
RDC provides coordinated, high-quality letters of support for faculty researchers seeking external funding. We work closely with university leadership to ensure each letter reflects the strategic value of the work and aligns with sponsor expectations.
What to include
- A draft proposal or executive summary
- Full details about the funding opportunity
- Any specific points or required language that should be included
- The proposal deadline and requested delivery date
Important note
Requests must be submitted at least 10 business days before the proposal deadline.
While we do our best to accommodate all requests, late submissions may not be guaranteed.
View letter of support guidelines
Submission Requirements
Requests for institutional or administrative letters of support must be submitted at least 10 business days prior to the proposal deadline.
Request Materials
Email your request with a draft proposal or executive summary, full details about the funding opportunity, and any specific points or required language that should be included in the letter.
RDC will coordinate the letter with the appropriate signatory, such as a dean, provost, president, or other institutional leader.
Late requests for letters of support may not be honored.
Engagement agreement and compliance
Faculty and staff must sign an Engagement Agreement Form to initiate services. This ensures all parties understand the scope, requirements, and deadlines of the project.
Meeting the deadlines outlined in this policy is essential to ensure project completion. Late or incomplete submissions may result in limited support or reprioritization of resources.
Graphics capture attention and convey complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand by a wide range of audiences. RDC offers graphics assistance to faculty for proposals, publications, and presentations.
Graphics creation process
After the Graphics Request Form is submitted, an RDC staff member will contact the requester to schedule an initial meeting to discuss needs and deadlines. The RDC team will then create an initial draft, send it for review, incorporate feedback, and continue revisions until the graphic is approved.
Plan ahead
Graphics requests should be submitted at least 5 business days in advance to ensure our designer has the appropriate amount of time to produce high-quality artwork.
View research graphics guidelines
Submission Timeline
Graphics requests must be submitted at least 5 business days before the required delivery date.
All requests must be made through the designated Graphics Request Form. Email or informal requests will not be recognized.
Complex Graphics
For complex illustrations or large-scale projects, requests should be submitted as early as possible. These projects may require additional time and resources to complete.
Final Delivery
The final product will be delivered in the requested digital format.
Printing Responsibility
RDC does not handle printing. If printing is required, the requester must coordinate with an external printer and ensure the printer receives the finalized graphic by the required deadline. Printing delays are not the responsibility of RDC.
AI Images
To ensure compliance with publication and funding agency standards, RDC does not use AI in graphics under any circumstances.
AI and original artwork from other sources may be accepted as reference images; however, RDC will not faithfully recreate an image and will only create original graphics.
Engagement agreement and compliance
Faculty and staff must sign an Engagement Agreement Form to initiate services. This ensures all parties understand the scope, requirements, and deadlines of the project.
Meeting the deadlines outlined in this policy is essential to ensure project completion. Late or incomplete submissions may result in limited support or reprioritization of resources.
Some grants request video pitches in addition to proposals, and RDC can help with script writing, filming, and editing a high-quality video that makes your research stand out from a crowd.
How we help
RDC can assist with preproduction, script planning, location scouting, scheduling, filming, media creation, postproduction editing, review, revisions, approval, and final delivery.
Timing matters
Requests for videos under two minutes should be made through the RDC services form at least 10 business days before the required delivery date.
Videos over two minutes or projects with several filming locations or interviews should be requested as soon as possible.
View video and media production guidelines
Submission Timeline
Video and media requests must be submitted at least 10 business days before the required delivery date.
All requests must be made through the Video/Media Request section of the services request form.
Complex Video/Media Projects
Depending on the video or media requirements, additional time and resources may be needed to complete the project.
Video/Media Creation Process
After the services request form is submitted, an RDC staff member will contact the requester to schedule an initial meeting to discuss requirements and timeline. RDC staff and the requester will work together to communicate needs and expectations.
The process may include preproduction, such as script planning, location scouting, and scheduling; production, including filming or media creation; postproduction editing; review; revisions; approval; and final delivery.
Engagement agreement and compliance
Faculty and staff must sign an Engagement Agreement Form to initiate services. This ensures all parties understand the scope, requirements, and deadlines of the project.
Meeting the deadlines outlined in this policy is essential to ensure project completion. Late or incomplete submissions may result in limited support or reprioritization of resources.
Did you know that 50% of NSF and 80% of NIH funding is awarded through unsolicited, investigator-initiated proposals?
Don't wait for an RFP. Let's craft a magnetic concept paper that'll help you connect with program officers.
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Office of Research Development & Communications
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Address
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Phone
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Email
vpr.communications@ttu.edu