Stanford Engineering
Engineering Research Administration

Investigator Resources

Getting Started in Research

Engineering Research Administration (ERA) provides investigators with a wealth of resources for initiating proposal activity. The following guide provides helpful information about initiating a research project for faculty and other researchers: Getting Started in Research at Stanford.

Research process graphic

ERA Research Administrator Role

In partnership with ERA, the following links also provide tools to assist faculty in proposal preparation and management of post-award activities.

  • Task Summary Provides a daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual breakdown of what PIs can expect from their research administrator. 

Research Development Office (RDO)

  • The Research Development Office (RDO) supports Stanford faculty and researchers in strengthening complex or strategic proposals for sponsored research funding. Their team provides tailored services, from consultations and project management to editing and proposal development, aimed at enhancing competitiveness while reducing PI burden. They also manage VPDoR’s financial proposal support programs and coordinate university-wide Limited Submissions.

Funding Opportunities

DoResearch

Research grant applicants can locate program announcements from federal agencies on the agency websites and on grants.gov. They are also located on the DoResearch site in addition to internal funding opportunities and limited submission applications. In addition, the School of Medicine Research Management Group (RMG) offers curated funding opportunities for all disciplines.

GrantForward Database

GrantForward is a premier subscription database for locating funding opportunities to support research. Sign up, create your profile, and begin your search. 

Limited Submissions

A limited submission program is an externally sponsored funding opportunity that restricts the number of applications that may be submitted from an institution. Because of these limits, Stanford requires an internal selection process to determine which proposals will move forward. At Stanford, the Research Development Office (RDO) manages the limited submission process.

  • View a complete list of limited submission opportunities at  DoResearch. Limited submission applications are uploaded using InfoReady, which consolidates all documents into one package. Please submit through the DoResearch InfoReady hub.

RDO encourages all interested faculty and administrators to sign up for their mailing list to receive updates about new limited submission opportunities.

For proposal development support, RDO is available on a case-by-case basis to assist PIs throughout the process.

Financial Applications

  •  Faculty Financial Inquiry Tool (FFIT)An online financial tool that provides faculty with balances and drill-down transaction details for all individually owned accounts and funds (SUNet ID required).

Proposal Preparation Links

  • Stanford Electronic Research Administration (SeRA) An enterprise-wide system that supports research administration at Stanford. SeRA tracks the various stages of the sponsored project lifecycle and is the institutional system of record for sponsored projects.
  • Cayuse Resource for Stanford researchers who are applying for federal grants; replaces paper applications with electronic forms and is the central portal for grant announcements and submissions; used to submit and upload proposals to sponsors.
  • Research.govThe National Science Foundation's (NSF) online website through which the foundation conducts business with researchers and potential researchers, reviewers and research administrators.
  • Data Management Planning ToolOnline resource for composing data management plans. Includes funding agency requirements, suggestions and guidelines, links to Stanford-specific guidance as well as other helpful links, and suggested answer text for those interested in preserving and sharing data via the Stanford Digital Repository.
  • Research Security Training Federal requirement that each individual listed on a proposal for a research and development award certify that they have completed research security training training consistent with Section 10634 of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 within 12 months prior to proposal submission.

Quick Facts and Guides