About RDS Teams

1. Who can use Proposal Development Services (PDS) and what projects are prioritized? 

Faculty on all campuses are encouraged to contact PDS. Projects or activities referenced in the IU 2030 Strategic Plan will receive priority.

2. What’s the difference between the Office for Research Administration (ORA) and PDS?

In a nutshell, ORA helps you make sure a proposal is accepted by the agency for review (compliance), and PDS helps you navigate the proposal preparation process by providing budget and grantsmanship support to ensure that your proposal is reviewed as favorably as possible. PDS is an optional, value-added service.

3. Does ORA still provide proposal preparation and routing support?

No, these services are now provided by PDS. All proposals for external funding still must route to ORA for final review and approval prior to submission. PDS can help guide you through this process.

4. Do you work only on proposals submitted to federal funding agencies?

While many PDS-supported proposals are submitted to federal agencies (e.g., NSF, DOE, NIH, NEH, NEA), PDS specialists support faculty applying for funding from a myriad of sponsors including state programs, foundations, and corporations. PDS works collaboratively with the experts in IU's Corporate Relations and Foundation Relations, who provide additional support to faculty seeking private, nongovernmental funding.

5. I’m working on a resubmission. Are PDS services available to me?

Absolutely. PDS specialists can discuss how to address reviewers’ comments and incorporate suggestions into your revised proposal.

6. Will PDS assist me with my proposal for an internal funding program at IU?

No. Services are available only for externally funded opportunities.

7. How much do PDS services cost?

Services are available at no cost to IU faculty members.

"This is the first time I've worked with PDS on a grant application. I found it is really helpful to have a clear timeline and to have a sense on how the application looks from a person who is not in the specific research area. My specialist's comments led to some crucial modifications to the proposal. I felt very fortunate to have access to the services provided by PDS. I cannot overstate my appreciation for their time and effort." -Associate Professor

"PDS support was really important to me. As a first-time applicant to the NSF CAREER program, I greatly benefitted from PDS support, including workshops, resources, and information, as well as one-on-one consultation." -Assistant Professor 

"In addition to a better final product, my consultant's involvement in the proposal development process reduced the overall stress involved in putting together a quality proposal within a short amount of time during a busy time of the semester. I am grateful that this service is available, and I will definitely recommend it to others and use it again in the future." -Associate Professor