Grant proposal submission is a tense field. The deadlines and layers of paperwork and regulatory issues make the whole process one that many people would like to outsource. If your company has decided to look for a regulatory publishing service to handle the grant proposal process, you're no doubt relieved to have so much of that work moved to another set of people. These services can handle guidelines for many agencies, of course, but some work with more than others. When you set up a long-term working relationship with one of these services, look for one that works with as many agencies as possible. The variety can benefit you in three ways.
Co-Sponsored Grants
Some agencies co-sponsor grants. You might have one that's a joint grant between two government departments, for example, or between a federal science agency and a private company. Your regulatory publishing contacts should be able to work with both of the entities involved; while any good regulatory service should be able to learn new guidelines, it helps a lot if the company is already familiar with how both work. A co-sponsored grant will have one application guide, of course, but if any of the entities involved has any quirks regarding how grants are handled, it helps to know ahead of time and have a knowledgeable person on your side.
Better Prioritization
Chances are you're not applying for only one grant; in most cases, investigators and research teams have several proposals under consideration at any one time. The submission deadlines for these proposals often collide with each other, creating a crowded calendar that you have to navigate somehow. If all your proposals are going through one regulatory publishing company, they can help you prioritize the proposals. Each agency has varying levels of strictness versus what they're willing to let through (in terms of not following their proposal submission guidelines), and the publishing company can help you organize your grant writing tasks.
Knowledge of What's Vital and What's Optional
As mentioned, each agency has different standards regarding what's really vital in a grant proposal. There are things you absolutely have to have in the proposal, but other things can be waived by the contact at the agency if needed, such as when you're rushing to finish a document. The grant publishing company will have a good idea of what they might be able to get waived so your proposal can go in on time.
If you need help with regulatory publishing, contact a global regulatory publishing solution.
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