New to Wake Forest or to Grants?
OFFICE OF RESEARCH & SPONSORED PROGRAMS
New to Wake Forest or to Grants?
Start Here.
Building a research program somewhere new is a lot to take on. This page lays out the first steps for pursuing and managing sponsored funding at Wake Forest — who to meet, what to set up, and where to go next. You don’t have to figure it out alone: your Grants & Contracts Manager is your partner from day one.
GETTING STARTED
Your first steps
A short checklist to get you ready before your first proposal or deadline.
1. Meet your Grants & Contracts Manager (GCM)
Every PI is paired with a GCM in ORSP who helps build budgets, route proposals, and manage your awards. Introduce yourself early — they’re your main point of contact.
2. Confirm you can serve as PI
University policy defines who is eligible to be a Principal Investigator. If you’re unsure whether you qualify or need an exception, check the policy or ask ORSP.
3. Confirm access to the systems
Proposals are routed and approved in Cayuse SP; human-subjects studies are submitted in eIRB. For Cayuse, login now so you’re ready when a deadline arrives. For IRB, complete your CITI training first and then request access so you’re ready when a deadline arrives.
4. Complete required training & disclosures
Complete your research security training now so it’s complete before you submit your grant application. File your annual conflict-of-interest disclosure. Finish Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training if required by the sponsor and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) if you’ll run clinical studies.
5. Set up your research program
Check in with your chair about the account set-up for startup funds, timing for renovations for your lab space, and how to gain access to shared instrumentation and the DEAC high-performance computing cluster. Make sure to work with EHS if you have a wet lab and IACUC if you work with animals.
Bringing an award with you?
If you have active funding at your former institution, you may be able to transfer it to Wake Forest. Transfers start with your former institution, need to be approved by the sponsor, and get set up through ORSP. Because this takes time, please start the conversation as early as possible.
Need funding to get started?
Explore internal seed and pilot funding — including Pilot Research Grants — designed to generate the preliminary data that makes external proposals competitive, alongside limited-submission and external opportunities.
Learn how it all works
The Grants Lifecycle Guide walks you through every stage — from finding funding to closing out an award — in plain language built for PIs.
WHO TO KNOW
The people and offices behind your research
You’ll work with several offices across the lifecycle.
The full directory and glossary live on the Who’s Who page.
Not sure where to start?
We’re glad you’re here. Reach out and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Email ORSP: