Welcome To Research Development & Communications
Our comprehensive offerings include expert proposal development, grant editing, graphics support, video production, web development, design services, and coordination of large, interdisciplinary teams.
Work With RDC
Our streamlined process helps you get proposals, designs, and media delivered on time, every time.
Expert Proposal Development
Submit your near-final drafts at least 7 business days before the deadline.
Learn MoreLetters of Support
Need a formal letter? Request it ≥ 10 business days before your submission.
Learn MoreResearch Graphics Services
Submit design briefs ≥ 5 business days in advance using our Graphics Form.
Learn MoreVideo & Media Production
All video requests should be in ≥ 10 business days before delivery.
Learn MoreProposal Submission Guidelines
- Submission Requirements
- Entire Proposal Package
- The entire proposal package, including all necessary components, must be submitted in a 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 PI’s are expected to manage all external forms necessary from external co-PI’s and work with the Office of Research Services (ORS) to submit.
- Proposal Text
- 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.
- Entire Proposal Package
- Internal Documentation
- Faculty and staff must complete an Internal Engagement Form to document all requests and interactions with RDC staff.
- Review Process
- Complete Review (7+ business days)
- Submissions requiring a thorough review must allow at least 7 business days for feedback and revisions. This includes reviewing proposal structure, content, and compliance with submission guidelines.
- Limited Review (4–6 business days)
- For submissions with 4–6 business days before the deadline, a limited review will be conducted, focusing on critical sections only.
- Expedited Review (2–3 business days)
- Expedited reviews are available for submissions within 2–3 business days of the deadline. However, the scope of the review may be limited, and the quality of feedback cannot be guaranteed due to time constraints; this is only allowable under rare circumstances.
- It is still the expectation that all materials should be in to RDC at least 7 days prior to the deadline.
- Complete Review (7+ business days)
- Late Submissions
- Late submissions may result in a very limited review of the proposal. RDC reserves the right to prioritize on-time submissions over late requests and may decline extremely late submissions.
SCAN & Notation Sessions
- Pre-submission SCANS:
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ORD will conduct a review of your grant proposal in its near-finished state (1/2-2/3 complete). Our high-level review will focus on the solicitation's review criteria and the agency's expectations.
To take advantage of this service, send us your proposal and solicitation.
Pre-Submission - Resubmission SCANS:
- ORD will meet with you to discuss the reviewer comments for your declined proposal and help you strategize for a successful resubmission.
To get started, send your rejected narrative along with the reviews
Resubmission
Letters of Support
- Requests for institutional or administrative letters of support must be submitted at least 10 business days prior to the proposal deadline
- Email your request to [insert position/title] with:
- Draft proposal or executive summary
- Full details about the funding opportunity
- Specific points or language required in the letter
- RDC will coordinate the letter with the appropriate signatory (e.g., Dean, Provost, President)
- Late requests for LOS may not be honored
Graphics Request Policy
- 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 (to be introduced). 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.
- Graphics Creation Process
- First Meeting: After the submission of the Graphics Request Form, a staff member will contact the requester to schedule an initial meeting to discuss needs and deadlines. If the project has a short turnaround time, this must be communicated during the first meeting.
- First Draft: The RDC team will create the initial graphic and send it to the requester for review.
- First Round Edits: Feedback from the requester will be incorporated into the graphic.
- Second Draft: The updated graphic will be sent for additional review.
- Approval and Final Delivery: The process of drafts and edits will continue until the graphic is approved. 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. The requester is responsible for ensuring that the printer receives the finalized graphic by the required deadline. Printing delays are not the responsibility of RDC.
Video & Media Guidelines
- Submission Timeline
- Video/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 Videos/Media Projects
- Depending on video/media requirements and/or requester’s needs, more time and resources may be needed for quality submission.
- Video/Media Creation Process
- First Meeting: After the submission of the services request form, a staff member will contact the requester to schedule an initial meeting to discuss the necessary video/media requirements and timeline for completion. The RDC staff and requester will work to communicate and accommodate each other’s needs.
- Preproduction: Our staff will work with the requester to establish preproduction needs such as script planning, location scouting, scheduling, etc.
- Production: The video/media is filmed and/or created with the requester or under the direction of the requester and the RDC team.
- Postproduction: The video/media is edited by the RDC team and prepared for review by the requester.
- Review: The requester is sent the video/media for any edits and notes deemed necessary. Any additional edits are made and sent back to the requester for approval. This process may continue until the approval stage.
- Approval and Delivery: Once the requester approves the video/media, the final product will be delivered in the requested format.
Engagement Agreement & Compliance
- Engagement Agreement
- 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
- Adherence to Deadlines
- 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