L&S Pre-Award Services is here to help faculty and staff in submitting proposals to external funders and sponsors.  Our office works closely with the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education.

Most of the Pre-Award proposal process is now handled via internet tools, both internally (UW-Madison specific) and on external sponsor websites.

WISPER: the WISconsin Proposal Electronic Routing System (WISPER) is the electronic routing form for applications and agreements. WISPER is an initiative of the campus Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP).

Grants.gov:  The federal government streamlined the proposal process for all federal departments that sponsor research. Grants.gov is becoming the single portal for all proposals for federal grants. In response to this, UW purchased the Cayuse system-to-system software, which will help with proposal preparation and submission. Cayuse and other electronic proposal submission systems (NSF Fastlane, for example) are used in tandem with the WISPER system to successfully deliver a proposal to the sponsor on time.

Non-Federal Sponsors: Most proposals submitted to non-federal external sponsors are subject the same policies and procedures, including the creating of a WISPER record and approvals from the Department, Division, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP) before the proposal is made to the sponsor.

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Training: There are many online, face-to-face and hands-on training opportunities available on an ongoing basis.  Staff in the L&S Pre-Award Services office are also available for customized, audience-specific training to individual groups and departments.