CEHS is committed to fostering scholarship and creative activity that generates knowledge and expands possibilities for lifelong learning, health, and human flourishing. Rooted in a culture of collaboration and research excellence, our work advances three grand visions: thriving young children, comprehensive health and well-being, and strong communities.
Supporting Competitive Grant Success
CEHS provides resources and guidance to help faculty submit and manage high-quality, competitive grants. Successful grants require strategic planning and collaboration among PIs, co-PIs, co-Is, proposal coordinators, grant specialists, and administrators. Engaging research staff early in the process ensures coordinated proposal development, increasing the likelihood of success.
CEHS Proposal Development Guidelines
Standard Operating Procedures for CEHS Research
Where to Begin? Who to Contact?
Faculty in CEHS have three avenues of support in funded research support. The route you choose is entirely up to you (the project PI) and is dependent on the specific services desired.
The Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools (CYFS)
CYFS provides comprehensive research support, specializing in interdisciplinary projects that advance the well-being of children, youth, families, and schools. Faculty can access expert guidance in grant proposal development, research design, methodological consulting, data management, and budget administration.
In addition to traditional grant support, CYFS offers specialized services in database management, research technology, and strategic communication to enhance research impact. The center also facilitates partnerships, coordinates logistics for large-scale projects, and ensures compliance with research regulations. With strong connections to community partners and policymakers, CYFS helps faculty secure funding and translate research into real-world impact.
Connect with CYFS Research Support
To get started with the development of a proposal narrative, contact the Proposal Development Coordinator.
For many other services, depending on your needs, contact the designated CYFS staff member listed under "Research Support Services" on the center’s website.
College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS) Grant Specialists
CEHS Grant Specialists assist faculty in securing funding for research projects from both internal and external sources. Their expertise spans budget preparation, justification drafting, and award monitoring to ensure compliance with sponsor guidelines and university policies.
Beyond financial oversight, they help faculty navigate complex grant requirements, manage personnel appointments, and track expenditures. Their deep knowledge of allowable costs and funding regulations ensures proposals are both competitive and compliant, reducing administrative burden and increasing funding success.
Work with a CEHS Grant Specialist
CEHS Grant Specialists provide expert guidance on budget preparation, expense management, personnel appointments, and compliance with sponsor requirements. Contact the Lead Grants Specialist for assistance at any stage of the grant process.
UNL Office of Research and Innovation (R&I)
The Office of Research and Innovation (R&I) provides extensive support for faculty research, from proposal development to project management. The Proposal Development Office offers strategic guidance, narrative feedback, and expert review to enhance competitiveness. The Project Management Office assists large-scale, complex projects with logistics, communication, and compliance.
R&I also supports research impact, helping faculty maximize societal benefits through planning tools, evaluation frameworks, and partnerships. Additional services include research compliance, faculty recognition, and support for industry relations, among other resources to support UNL’s research enterprise.
Find the Right R&I Resource
To explore assistance with the development of a proposal narrative, contact the director of the Office of Proposal Development.
Large-scale, complex proposal projects (typically with budgets exceeding $10 million), may qualify for additional project management services. Contact the director of the Project Management Office.
To find the right R&I staff member for other services and supports, contact the Director of Research Development.
Resources
Nebraska Evaluation and Research (NEAR)
The Nebraska Evaluation and Research (NEAR) Center's purpose is to promote sound statistical, measurement, and research (e.g., Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods) methodology. In addition, the Center serves as a hands-on training program for graduate students in the Quantitative, Qualitative, & Psychometric Methods (QQPM) program.
Pixel Lab
The Pixel Lab is a full service design, print, photography and videography center that resides within CEHS. There are numerous products and services available to researchers, including printing of large-format and fabric research posters. To view the Pixel Lab’s price list, and download a free template for research posters.
Partners, Connectors, and Engaged Scholarship Advocates
IANR Agricultural Research Division
The Agricultural Research Division (ARD) is the research arm of UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR). ARD supports faculty conducting research in agriculture, food systems, natural resources, family well-being, and community development. It collaborates with 15 departments across UNL, including within CEHS, to advance interdisciplinary research.
Why Connect?
Faculty can engage with ARD to explore funding opportunities and interdisciplinary research collaborations.
Nebraska Extension
Nebraska Extension is UNL’s outreach and engagement arm, serving all 93 counties through 83 offices, and with significant representation and connections throughout CEHS.
Why Connect?
Faculty seeking to engage with communities for research, teaching, or service can collaborate with Nebraska Extension to establish partnerships and explore opportunities. The UNL campus has a dedicated Engagement Zone Coordinator who acts as a liaison between faculty and community partners.
University of Nebraska Foundation
The University of Nebraska Foundation (UNF) supports NU's mission by managing donor funds and fostering philanthropic partnerships. Faculty seeking to expand their research funding and collaborative opportunities can benefit from UNF's expertise in connecting with private foundations. Through strategic partnerships, UNF helps align faculty projects with potential funders, enhancing the impact and reach of scholarly work.
How to Connect:
For personalized guidance on engaging with private foundations, faculty can reach out to the Director of Foundation Relations. Additionally, faculty are encouraged to take advantage of the NU 2 Foundations Program that is a collaborative initiative between UNF and R&I designed to assist in securing foundation funding.
CEHS Director of Development
CEHS’s own Director of Development can assist faculty in their scholarship and program enhancements by leveraging relationships with potential donors and private foundations. By collaborating with the Director, faculty can establish connections with industry partners and community organizations that align with their research interests, thereby broadening the impact of their work.
Considerations
Successful grant proposals require more than strong ideas—they also depend on careful planning, budgeting, collaboration, and compliance. Consider these key factors to ensure a smooth submission process and a well-supported research project
Considerations
Timing: Plan Ahead for Reviews & Approval
Grant proposals large and small alike go through multiple layers of review and approval before submission, including department chairs, college administrators, and the university’s Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). Some proposals require additional cost-sharing agreements, financial commitments, or specialized compliance reviews that add time to the process.
Faculty benefit most when research support staff can manage workloads effectively. Working ahead of submission deadlines, rather than just meeting them, not only ensures a smoother process for an individual grant but also contributes to a healthy and well-functioning research support system for all involved.
Financial: Budgeting Shapes Research
Understanding financial aspects of funded work—such as F&A, cost sharing, faculty effort, and graduate assistantships—is essential for shaping the design and scope of projects. Faculty who are conversant in these elements can make informed choices about what is feasible, how resources are allocated, and how to sustain long-term research or creative programs..
Budgeting is not just a logistical step—it actively shapes the design and scope of research, scholarship, and creative activity. It influences everything from theoretical frameworks and methodological choices to materials, collaborative partnerships, and modes of dissemination.
Relational: Building Collaborative Partnerships
Engaging with research support staff is not just about a single grant—it’s the start of a collaborative relationship. Over time, these partnerships build institutional knowledge, trust, and a shared understanding of project needs and priorities.
Compliance: Addressing IRB & Institutional Requirements
Not all projects require IRB approval, but this body holds the authority of determination. It’s best to consult IRB early to clarify whether a review is necessary.
IRB approval is not just a formality—the preparation and approval process can fundamentally influence research design, participant involvement, data collection and generation methods, and timelines.
External collaborators, subawards, and institutional partners often have their own review timelines that don’t align with CEHS deadlines. Engaging partners early ensures all necessary documents are in place before submission.
