Blue Sheet

The Blue Sheet, OSP's Internal Proposal Approval Form, is available for download in several formats including Interactive PDF (iPDF). iPDF allows you to fill out the form on your computer and print it. Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to read  iPDF forms. PLEASE NOTE: COMPLETING THE ON-LINE BLUE SHEET DOES NOT  CONSTITUTE A SUBMISSION OF THE FORM.  THE BLUE SHEET MUST BE PRINTED IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY SIGNATURES.
If you would like to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader please visit the Adobe web site and click on this icon at the bottom of their home page:
Click on a format in which to view the Blue Sheet:

The purpose of the form is to capture, in summary form, information that will assist you, your Dean, and this office in the planning and submission of your application. It serves to identify, for all of us, areas that may be problematic so that action can be taken early in the process to move your proposal along. It is particularly important that the proper approvals are obtained as this ensures that any commitments made can and will be met.

If you have any questions or need further assistance please contact us at 780-4873

Check box if Proposal is part of the R&D Initiative.

Project Title: Short descriptive project title.

26 Character Title: Should your project be funded, an account will be created. This title will appear on your monthly account summary.

Principal Investigator/Project Director: In the case of Co-PI’s, please list the one who should be the primary contact. 

Administering College/Department: Administrative unit that you are assigned to.

Collaborating College/Department: In the case of joint efforts between two departments, list second PI and department. Also, give us some indication of the relative split of effort (e.g. 60%/40%) so that appropriate credit can be given. This may need to be negotiated between the units.

Submitted To: Name of funding agency with whom any agreement will be signed. If a similar proposal has been or will be sent to another agency for funding, please list those on the back so that we may cross-reference them.

Deadline Date: Date the proposal must be mailed to the funding agency. Please read your guidelines carefully to distinguish between mailing dates and receipt dates.

Project Period: The entire period of the project, not just the first funding period.

Proposal Categories: Please check the category of your project, the form of agreement, the type of submission, the source of funds. In the case of Federal funds it is very important that you indicate the Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number. This is most often indicated in the program announcement/submission guidelines. Failure to provide this may delay the implementation of your project.

Project Abstract: Descriptive paragraph on your project. These are routinely provided to the President, Provost, and Media Relations for all funded projects.

Project Budget Summary: For the period of the project, list the amounts requested from the funding agency and the amounts requested from the University. The indirect cost rate should be the full approved or allowable rate for your project category. In those cases where the sponsor is paying a lesser rate, please show the difference as a University contribution.

Source of University Direct Cost Sharing: Please list the University department name, account number (with object code), and amount, for all contributions of direct costs. This should reconcile with the amounts listed in the Project Budget Summary section. Salary contributions should be reflected on the Faculty/Staff Participation section also.

Faculty/Staff Participation: List percent full-time equivalent effort for the first budget period. This will assist in planning for teaching replacement in the case where release time is granted and for ensuring that the proper payroll adjustments occur. Any contribution of USM time must be reflected in the Source of University Direct Cost Sharing section.

Additional Requirements: Check and explain any items that may require some planning to implement or may require other approvals.

Please attach any additional comments/notes that you feel would be important in the understanding and approval of your project.

Certification: Obtain the approval of your Dean and Department Chair prior to the submission of your proposal. This will warrant for us that any commitments that you are making can and will be met and that your project has the support of the University.