Your first step is to identify your designated RSSD representative, or (Research Support Services Manager - RSSM), based on your Faculty, Institute, Centre, or School (FICS). Your RSSM is your primary point of contact for funding-related queries and will help you plan ahead, by working with you to find the best-fitting calls for your research idea and together make a periodical plan (ideally 1 year in advance) for proposal preparation and submission within timeframes that fit your schedule and the call deadlines.

👉 Select your FICS to find your RSSD representative.

Identifying the right funding opportunity is crucial. RSSD supports you in finding the best fitting funding programmes and understanding the key call requirements, helping you make informed decisions early on in the process.

At this stage, researchers should consider:

• Eligibility requirements for the call and the funding programme
• Whether UM is applying as Lead Partner or Project Partner
• The strategic fit between the call objectives and the proposed research idea
• Sufficient planning time, taking into account both internal and external deadlines, which you can find on the specific call pages  

Adhering to deadlines is essential and makes it possible for us to both support you, and make sure your application is eligible on behalf of UM. Any applications received after the internal deadline are not guaranteed a full review, nor support for processing and signatures.

Early engagement with RSSD benefits you as you will be supported as early on in the process as possible, and is therefore strongly encouraged. You may notify RSSD of your intent to apply directly through the relevant call page or contact your RSSM if you have not yet identified a specific call.

A strong proposal is essential for a successful application. Researchers are responsible for the scientific content of the proposal, while RSSD provides guidance and feedback to support quality and compliance, as well as advice on how to improve the proposal to increase it’s chances of getting funded. For general information on UM that needs to be included in the proposal, click here.

At this stage, researchers should focus on:

• Clearly presenting the research idea and objectives
• Confirming the Project Consortium
• Ensuring alignment with the call requirements
• Devising a realistic and robust work plan
• Preparing a realistic and eligible budget in line with the funding rules. For budget support the RSSM will forward your request to the Research Grants Finance Management.

At this stage RSSD should already be aware that you are actively working on a proposal.

Before submission, all required documentation must be compiled and reviewed. If UM is leading the proposal, this includes receiving complete and signed documents from all project partners. 

Researchers must also ensure that: 

• The most updated templates and supporting documents are being used and that these are completed correctly
• All final documents requested by the funding body are submitted through the proper portal before the call deadline.

To allow time for internal review and for obtaining the Rector’s or delegated signatory’s approval, all final documents must be submitted to RSSD by the stipulated internal deadlines. Late submissions may compromise the University’s ability to endorse the proposal.