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Researcher Toolbox

Researcher Toolbox

We’ve compiled the most useful resources for grants and contracts and made them available to you below.

Budget Development Information

Toolbox

The Toolbox houses forms, templates, and how-to guides for all your sponsored program needs. Find more information in the Toolbox section below. 

SPIN

Learn more about a web-based funding opportunities database that makes funding easier to find and applications easier to process.

Policies and Procedures

Learn about the UNCW policies and procedures.

eResources

Rates to consider while developing a budget
Current Fringe Rates  Faculty Summer & AY: Use OSPREY to determine your accurate fringe rates
GA/RA Students Summer & AY: 8.65%
Undergraduate Summer & AY: 8.65%
Current F&A Rates (Indirect Cost Rates)
*approved rates through 6/30/2027

On-Campus Research (7/1/23 - 6/30/25): 50%
On-Campus Research (7/1/25 - 6/30/27): 51%
On-Campus Instruction: 47%
On-Campus Other Sponsored Activities: 33%
All Off-Campus Rates: 26%

*UNCW utilizes the prevailing rate at the time of submission.
Faculty Pay There is no such thing as a Faculty Stipend. Faculty are paid from grants based on percentage of effort of Institutional Base Salary.
Faculty cannot be independent contractors for any North Carolina state agency including UNCW.
Undergraduate Pay Estimated range is $8/hr. - $12/hr. Please contact your Department Admin. Office for more exact hiring rates.
Student Fulltime = 20 hours/week during academic year; 40 hours/week during summer
(May require Dean’s approval if beyond the maximum hour limits.)
Graduate Student & Research Assistant Pay  Contact Graduate School for rates by student role.
PhD Student Pay

Estimated range is $25/hr. - $30/hr.
Student Fulltime = 20 hours/week during academic year; up to 40 hours/week during summer
Full AY Salary for PhD Psych, PhD ICMB, DNP, EdD (Aug 15 – May 15): $21,500
Full AY Salary for Phd ACOS (Aug 15 – May 15): $25,000
Full Calendar Year Salary for Phd Pharm Chem: $30,000

For more detailed information, contact Graduate School for rates by student role.
Current Travel Rates   Check UNCW Travel website for latest information. If traveling internationally, please check the Department of State website for international per diem rates.  
Current Tuition Rates  Undergraduate & Graduate Rates

Additional Resources

 

GUIDELINES

Toolbox

The Toolbox houses forms, templates, and how-to guides for all your sponsored program needs.

Forms

Budget Office Forms

Controller's Office Forms

Budget

Tutorials

Campus Information

Grants.gov

Gov FAQs

National Institutes of Health

National Science Foundation

How to Write an Effective Letter of Support

We recommend that you offer to draft a letter of support for your collaborator to ensure that deadlines are met. By providing a draft letter of support, you ensure:

  • That the letter of support will contain all of the information you need
  • That you will get the letter back from your collaborator in a timely fashion (assuming you give them enough lead time! We suggest 2-3 weeks)

Drafting your own letter of support serves another important purpose. It gives both parties an early warning of unrealistic expectations. It is a vehicle for negotiating services, reagents, or expertise provided to the project.

Letter of Support Goals

  • Specify what the collaborator will contribute to the research
  • Convince the reviewer that the collaborator will fulfill the request
  • Convey enthusiasm for the work
  • Lend credibility to your proposal

As long as your letter demonstrates specifically what your collaborator will contribute to the project, there is no right or wrong way to draft a strong letter of support.

Letters of Support Should Be

  • Unique and written from the point of view of your collaborator
  • Printed on institutional letterhead and signed by the appropriate party (someone authorized to make the commitment of support)
  • Addressed either to the principal investigator of the proposal or to the granting agency - check the guidelines of the specific grant
  • Address any specific guidelines (e.g., particular assurances) required by the funding agency or the university, as outlined in the Request for Application (RFA) or as requested by your Research Office
  • Follow any other guidelines (e.g., page limits) required by the funding agency

Letter of Support Example

Introduction

  • Statement of support for the project/research - use words that convey enthusiasm
  • Identify the research project by name/title
  • Typically 1-3 sentences

Examples:
"I am pleased to support your research proposal titled...."
"Your proposal to do (insert scope here) has my enthusiastic support."

Body

If applicable, state how the goals/research of the collaborator are well-aligned with the goals of the proposed research. What is the collaborator's motivation to work with you? If you have worked with this collaborator before, be sure to say so. It demonstrates an established productive relationship. State as specifically as possible the role of the collaborator in the project. State why this collaborator is the appropriate person or organization to perform the work.

  • What is their relevant experience/expertise?
  • Have they previously worked on a similar project?
  • Do they have a successful track record?
  • Do they have specialized equipment or other resources needed to complete the project?

Closing

  • Include a cordial closing. The level of formality should be determined by the level of personal relationship between the PI and the collaborator. If you know each other very well, it can be less formal.
  • Typically 1-3 sentences
Examples:

"I look forward to collaborating with you on this work."

"Best of luck with your grant application."