UW Research
Frequently-Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a proposal and an After-the-Fact eGC1?

Details here are designed to help you understand when to route a proposal eGC1 or an After-the-Fact eGC1.

Proposals

Proposals are governed by UW Executive Order 34, which states that proposals and preliminary discussions which might become a proposal should be submitted to OSP, “preferably in advance.”

UW policy requires OSP review of proposals even if the sponsor might not insist on institutional official sign-off or submission in a sponsor system.

Proposals to external sponsors must follow guidelines in GIM 1 and GIM 19.

Formal vs. Informal Proposals

Both formal and informal proposals require PIs or campus unit staff to prepare and route a proposal eGC1 for review and approval.

Formal Proposal:

Sponsor issues a Request for Proposal (RFP), PI prepares and OSP submits a proposal to a competitive review process with a deadline.

Informal Proposal:

Conceptual discussions with a sponsor can result in development of a project and may require the PI to:

  • Develop proposal material (scope of work, budget, etc.).
  • Send sponsor details on how the project will be accomplished.

After-the-Fact eGC1

After-the-Fact (ATF) eGC1s are used to document when a sponsor and UW PI have determined to establish sponsored program activity that:

  • Lacks a proposal eGC1, or
  • Needs a supporting agreement for an existing UW sponsored program, or
  • Requires discussion with the sponsor prior to submitting a proposal such as confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements and teaming agreements.

Although not a proposal, an ATF eGC1 still requires the same campus unit approval and institutional review. There are two types of ATFs, ATF’s with funding and ATFs without funding (non-award agreements).

ATF with funding

  • Sponsor has already decided they will sponsor research at the UW.
    • Sponsor decision may result from an informal discussion if sponsor has no formal application process.
    • Sponsor confirms they want to move forward with the project.
  • Scope of Work is already established.
  • Sponsor requests to issue UW Sponsored Research Agreement template or has provided an editable DRAFT agreement.

Review ATF Process guidance. 

ATF without funding aka Non-Award Agreement (NAA)

Note, GIM 19 deadlines do not apply to ATF eGC1s.

Approval of an ATF eGC1 does not imply approval or acceptance of the agreement.

Resources