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Sponsored Projects at The University of Arizona Staff Forms/Other Post Award Administration Proposal Preparation Principal Investigators Handbook UA Homepage Staff

UA Routing Process

Preliminary Review of Pure Edge Packet

Full Review of Pure Edge Packet

Things to Know

UA Routing Process

You may route your signed Proposal Routing Sheet (PRS), Abstract, Budget, and Budget Justification in advance of completing the Grants.gov application package. 

The UA routing process must be completed prior to submission of the application. 

Forward (e-mail, CD, jump drive) the complete .xfdl file (the application package) to Sponsored Projects when you are ready to submit (email:  sponsor@email.arizona.edu).  A Sponsored Project staff member will contact the PI or administrative contact once they have begun review, to verify that the proposal is ready for submission. 

Sponsored Projects will review the application package for required items and common errors, and will work with the PI/PI’s staff to correct any items that might prevent error-free submission.

Sponsored Projects will transmit the application package via the Grants.gov portal, and will send copies of all confirmation emails to the PI and business contact.

Preliminary Review of PureEdge Packet (.xfd file)

If you opt to e-mail your .xfd file for review, in lieu of faxing, note the following:

  • ALWAYS send the .xfd file to sponsor@email.arizona.edu. Sending your packet to an individual may delay receipt and review of your proposal.
  • SPS Proposal Reviewers will review the following items during preliminary review:
    • SF 424 R&R Cover Page
    • Project Summary (Abstract)
    • Budget
    • Budget Justification

No other forms/attachments will be opened and evaluated at this stage, unless you have specific questions. SPS staff will not review each form and provide a "laundry list" of what's missing or needs to be corrected. Review the Instructions lists provided for information on form completion.

Full Review of Pure Edge Packet (.xfd file) prior to submission

Once your proposal is complete (including meeting UA routing requirements) and ready for submission:

Send the completed .xfd file to sponsor@email.arizona.edu, even if you have been working with someone specific in Preaward. Sending the file to a central email address helps us manage and prioritize workload, and you can always be sure that someone is looking at e-mail received at this address, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

During Review of the final version of the proposal.....

SPS Staff WILL SPS Staff WILL NOT
Skim each form for missing fields, common errors, and filenames (to verify file type, when a certain type is required) Open individual attachments. For paper proposals, we do not review the science documents. This does not change with Grants.gov submission.
Review attachments for sponsor-mandated rules, like fonts, margins, page limits, headers/footers, etc.
Review the SF 424 R&R Cover Page Complete missing fields/attachments except for common errors that are easily remedied.
Review the Budget form
Review the Budget Justification
Review the Project Summary
Click the "Check Package for Errors" button to find missing fields
Save the .xfd file until submission is complete Maintain a copy of the .xfd file after submission. The PI/department are still responsible for maintaining the complete file copy of the proposal (paper or electronic).

Things You Need to Know

  • You do not need a login/password to search funding opportunities or download PureEdge or application packages. There is no need to register with Grants.gov.
  • Sponsored Projects Preaward personnel are the “AORs” – Authorized Organization Representatives. We have already registered the institution on Grants.gov. The University of Arizona is a long-time registrant on the CCR, and we have completed the Credential Provider process. Any requests for non-SPS personnel to register as AORs will be denied. The Grants.gov site does not clearly indicate that the AOR role is for the Sponsored Projects office, but because those with AOR access are the ones able to submit applications on behalf of the institution, AOR access is restricted to SPS staff at the University of Arizona.
  • The PureEdge viewer is required for application completion.
  • If you are using a Mac, you will need a Windows Emulator in order to prepare applications for Grants.gov.
  • The application (in PureEdge) will save as one document (.xfd extension) with attachments. You will forward this file (e-mail, CD, or USB drive) to Sponsored Projects. SPS staff will upload the file to Grants.gov for final submission.
  • The UA paper proposal routing process has not changed; an original, fully-signed Proposal Routing Sheet is still required before proposal submission on Grants.gov

Preparing an application for submission to Grants.gov

  1. Download the PureEdge viewer software and install it on your computer.
  2. Use Grants.gov's search features to find a funding opportunity, download the application package (forms and instructions).
  3. Read the program solicitation carefully. Pay particular attention to the deadline time – the deadline may be listed as Eastern Standard/Daylight time.
  4. Open the application package with PureEdge. Complete all mandatory forms and upload required attachments.
  5. Save the file often; click the “Check for Errors” button.
  6. Route your PRS/budget through Sponsored Projects. Fax review will save you a lot of time.
  7. Bring your original, fully-signed Proposal Routing Sheet to Sponsored Projects with your completed application .xfd file. Please allow sufficient time for review and upload.



Sponsored Projects Services is a unit of the
Office of the Vice President for Research, Graduate Studies and Economic Development

Mailing Address:
PO Box 3308
Tucson, AZ 85722-3308

Express Mail Address:
888 N. Euclid Room 510
Tucson, AZ 85719

Phone: (520) 626-6000
Proposal Fax: (520) 626-4130
Post Award Fax: (520) 626-4137
Email: sponsor@u.arizona.edu

The University of Arizona
All contents copyright © 2008. Arizona Board of Regents.