FAQS about the Unit Level Notification Step

Frequently Asked Questions regarding the change from approval step to notification step at the Unit level in the workflow process. If questions remain, please reach out to your ORA/ORS Pre-Award liaison.

Why is the unit-level approval step being replaced with a notification step?

The goal is to streamline the proposal review and submission process by:

  • Reducing unnecessary routing delays
  • Removing redundant approval steps
  • Keeping units informed while improving turnaround time
Does this change mean collaborating units lose visibility over proposals involving their faculty?

No. Units will continue to receive real-time notifications when their faculty are named on proposals

What is expected of administrators when they receive a notification?

Administrators should review specific elements of the proposal for awareness and accuracy and contact the PAL if anything appears incorrect or requires clarification

Which proposal elements should administrators review?

Administrators should review:

  • Effort commitments for faculty from your unit, considering their full academic schedule and any current or planned absences or external activities.
  • Salary requested or committed (including supplements or over-the-cap coverage, if relevant)
  • Use of unit resources, including:
    • Space
    • Shared equipment
    • Unit level staff support
    • Cost-sharing or in-kind commitments
    • Any unit commitments not previously discussed or approved
What should administrators do if they identify an issue?

They should promptly contact the Pre-Award Liaison (PAL) listed in the notification. The PAL will coordinate resolution of any issues.

Does this affect faculty responsibilities?

No. Faculty remain responsible for the accuracy and completeness of their proposals.