For UIC Faculty and Staff
Introduction
We offer comprehensive assistance with all of your corporate and foundation funding needs. Whether you are searching for a funder, responding to a request for proposal (RFP) or putting together a proposal, our office has the expertise to guide you through this process.
How We Work with Other UIC Offices
In addition to acting as the liaison between faculty/colleges and external partners, we coordinate with several key UIC Offices supporting the pre- and post-award process.
Services
We provide the following services:
- Help determine whether a project is suitable for foundation or corporate funding.
- Research and identify potential foundation or corporate funders.
- Develop a strategy for approaching identified foundation and corporate funders.
- Facilitate conversations with foundation and corporate representatives.
- Assist with the development of letters of inquiry, proposals and other application materials.
- Provide required institutional information and supporting materials (such as board lists, IRS determination letters and institutional background information).
- Coordinate and provide staffing for campus and site visits for current and potential funders.
- Circulate funding opportunities and RFPs to appropriate colleges, departments and units.
- Provide training workshops.
Requesting Support from the CFR Team
Are you looking for funding for a project or program and would like support from our team? Please reach out to the member of our team who serves as the CFR liaison for your college. Our contact information can be found here under the “Contact Us” heading.
FAQs
Do I need to route my proposal through the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)?
A proposal is a detailed request for extramural funding prepared in accordance with the sponsor’s instructions and university policy. All proposed projects that include the use of UIC resources, such as faculty time, students, equipment or facilities, must be reviewed and approved by the university prior to submission to the sponsor. If you have questions about how this process works, visit the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research proposal submission page.
How do I know whether my project is a good fit for a foundation or corporation?
Like the university, foundations are mission-driven institutions that strive to change the world for the better. Each foundation has its own set of goals and funding priorities that advance its mission. To be competitive for funding, your work must demonstrate a clear alignment with a foundation’s mission and intended impact. In general, foundations fund projects, not operations or endowments.
Corporations typically interact with universities around the following key areas:
- Recruiting and workforce development.
- Research.
- Marketing and branding.
- Corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Do you provide assistance with proposals to government agencies?
No, we only work with foundations and corporations. For assistance with proposals to government agencies, please contact Research Development Services at rds@uic.edu.
What are limited opportunities?
At times, foundations and corporations limit the number of applications UIC is allowed to submit for a particular funding opportunity or during a given period. To apply for these limited opportunities, you must receive authorization from RDS. For more information, click here.