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Sponsored Programs & Strategic Initiatives

The Office of Sponsored Programs & Strategic Initiatives (OSPSI) serves as the coordinating office for grants and other special projects that align with the strategic direction of the College. All grants proposed by GPTC, or in collaboration with the College and external partners, are submitted through the OSPSI.

Current Initiatives

  • PepsiCo Foundation and American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Grant
    • GPTC received $172,550 in Uplift scholarships from the PepsiCo Foundation and AACC to support first-gen, low-income, and underserved students with tuition and wraparound needs (transportation, housing, mentorship, professional development). Awards apply to select associate degrees and technical certificates in business, technology, logistics, and advanced manufacturing.
  • M.I.L.E.
    • GPTC’s M.I.L.E. “pivot” grant creates a 16-week, paid ($24/hr) immersive mechatronics pathway for military veterans, run through the college’s economic development division. Six cohorts of 10 veterans will receive training, education, and career-readiness support funded by the grant.
  • S.H.I.F.T.
    • GPTC’s S.H.I.F.T. grant supports future high school juniors and seniors in mechatronics with a three-year program funding equipment, faculty stipends, and student services. Sixty students will be recruited in partnership with area high schools for one-on-one career exploration in mechatronics and other STEM fields.
  • CYPHER
    • NSF-funded CYPHER lets DeKalb, Newton & Rockdale high schoolers earn 18 college credits in cybersecurity through dual enrollment at GPTC.

Grant Proposal Development Process

Here is a quick reference guide to the workflow of applying for a grant.

  1. Identify a grant to pursue
  2. Contact the direct Supervisor and OSPSI to begin the development process
  3. Submit the grant and authorization form and draft proposal documentation to OSPSI
  4. OSPSI submits a recommendation to GPTC Leadership to apply for a grant
  5. Recieve notification of approval to pursue grant from OSPSI
  6. Work with OSPSI to finalize grant proposal
  7. OSPSI submits proposal to funding agency
  8. Funding agency issues decision
  9. GPTC accepts or declines award; meets with PI to outline next steps

Timeline for submitting a Grant

Below is a recommended timeline for completing a grant proposal and application. While some grant proposals and applications may not adhere to this timeline, all submissions require the approval of the OSPSI and College Leadership, initiated by the Grant Authorization Form. GPTC reserves the right to withhold approval on submitting a grant proposal if it is determined that there is not time to submit a quality proposal and/or if the grant is not in alignment with the strategic direction of the College.

TIMELINE STEPS
Between three to six months prior to agency deadline

1. Ideation Identify the need for funding. Discuss idea with immediate supervisor. Write a one-page action plan with budget estimate.

2. Funding Sources Find grant funders Contact OSPSI for assistance with finding funding source (if needed).

3. Submit to IRB (if applicable)

4. Preliminary Approval Meet with OSPSI to discuss interest in applying for a grant and outline timeline and application processes.
Between two and four months prior to agency deadline

5. Formal Proposal Development Meet with OSPSI to collaborate on proposal development and timeline. Meet with partners to determine roles in the project. Assemble required documentation for proposal submission. Begin narrative draft.
One month prior to agency deadline 6. Final Draft Finalize proposal, documentation, and letters of commitment.
10 days prior to agency deadline

7. OSPSI Final Approval Submit Grant Authorization form, final draft proposal, and documentation to OSPSI for review. Proposals received less than 10 days to agency due date may not be approved for submission.
Agency deadline

8. Submission OSPSI will be responsible for submission of the grant application to the funding agency.
One to four weeks after notification of award (NOA) through duration of grant

9. Award Notification and Implementation For approved applications, determination to accept or decline award. Meeting with PI and OSPSI to begin grant implementation. Creation of monitoring system. Establish reporting processes and agency report deadlines
If not funded

10. Prepare for Future Grants and/or Resubmission

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a need in your area and want to seek external funds, but are unsure how to get started, are confused on the process, or just need general assistance in the research and writing of the grant, please complete the Grant Interest Form and contact Dr. Kristin Corkhill (corkhillk@gptc.edu).

  • Is it necessary to work with OSPSI on a grant?
    • Yes! The OSPSI works as the liaison between the funding agency and the GPTC team members involved in the grant. Any grant that is submitted by GPTC, or where the College is a partner on a grant, must be coordinated through the OSPSI.
  • Why does a grant proposal need approval prior to submitting?
    • A grant award is a legal obligation by the College to the funding agency. Approval of a proposal by the College leadership of the impacted areas ensures that GPTC is able to implement the requirements of the grant.
  • How much notice is required to submit a proposal?
    • At a minimum, 10 business days are required to review a grant proposal. The PI will submit the proposal documentation and the Grant Authorization Form to the OSPSI to begin the internal review process. It is recommended that you communicate with the OSPSI at the beginning of your grant search and interest in applying. This will give you the applicant, and GPTC leadership, an understanding of the need and impact the grant will have on the College. Refer to this TIMELINE for guidance on the steps to apply for a grant as a GPTC representative. GPTC reserves the right to withhold approval on submitting a grant proposal if it is determined that there is not time to submit a quality proposal and/or if the grant is not in alignment with the strategic direction of the College.
  • Does GPTC partner with other organizations on Grants?
    • Yes, GPTC does collaborate with community partners and other agencies on grant initiatives that align with the College’s strategic plans. If you are a GPTC faculty or staff member who has been contacted by an external partner, please alert the OSPSI to begin the Grant Authorization Process. Even if GPTC is not the primary applicant on the grant initiative, we will still conduct an internal review process to determine the impact on the College with our participation. If it is determined that GPTC is unable to commit to the partnership with the requesting external organization, the OSPSI will notify the community partner of our decision.
  • The proposal has been submitted, now what?
    • Information on how long it takes to receive notification of the decision on a grant submission is typically listed in the application. Generally, it takes about three months to learn of a decision. If the grant application is approved, a notification of award (NOA) will be sent to the OSPSI. At that time, GPTC will make the determination of whether to accept or decline the award. If GPTC accepts the award, the OSPSI will coordinate with the Office of Administrative Services, the PI, and other team members to establish the implementation of the award. If the grant application is not approved, the OSPSI will contact the PI to review the funder’s decision.
  • How do we report on the progress of the grant to the funding agency?
    • The OSPSI will submit any documentation and reporting that is required throughout the duration of and at the close of the grant. If your funder has requested any documentation related to the grant, please contact Dr. Kristin Corkhill (corkhillk@gptc.edu).