The Pre-Award Projects Unit encourages, facilitates and supports research staff in the search for competitive funding, identifying opportunities and contributing to the development of high-quality proposals.

Unit services:

• Identification and dissemination of competitive calls
• Promotion of VHIR researchers’ participation in competitive research projects
• Preparation of webinars and other activities to foster research, collaboration and knowledge related to competitive calls
• Provision of administrative support to researchers during the preparation and submission of proposals, ensuring completeness and compliance with requirements
• Contribution to the development of high-quality proposals, including drafting and reviewing
• Management of call resolutions and, if necessary, submission of amendments and appeals
• If the proposal is funded, management of the grant award process, including the signing of agreements or contracts required to launch the granted competitive projects
• Transfer of granted projects to the Post-Award Unit
• Coordination with other units involved in the project granting process

Once the desired funding has been secured, the Post-Award Projects Unit provides guidance on compliance and post-award management to ensure the best research outcomes.

Unit services:

• Assistance in managing granted funds in accordance with internal policies and funders’ regulations
• Financial monitoring of competitive grants
• Management of contract and agreement amendments during project implementation
• Interaction with funding agencies and/or coordinators during project implementation on financial and administrative matters
• Internal management of financial and technical audits (Financial Statements Certificates, external audits)
• Liaison with other units involved in the process