Research Grant FAQs

The Foundation only accepts applications for research grant funding from eligible persons or organizations in response to the requests for proposals (RFPs) it issues. Eligibility requirements for each grant type are outlined in the corresponding program guidelines listed under Funding Opportunities.

All grant applications must be submitted through ProposalCentral. Instructions for each grant opportunity can be found in the associated program guidelines listed under Funding Opportunities.

No. There is no limit on the number of applicants from any given institution.

An individual may:

• Apply for more than one Speed of Light – The ASTRO Foundation funding opportunity per year.
• Submit only one application per funding cycle for each research grant funding opportunity.
• Only serve as Principal Investigator (PI) for one active research grant from Speed of Light – The ASTRO Foundation at a time.
• Not hold a comparable award from another organization for the same scope of work.

The Sponsoring Institution receives and manages grant funds on behalf of the PI. An Authorized Official from the Sponsoring Institution must sign the application. Any research grant is contingent upon the Foundation’s ability to transfer grant funds to the Sponsoring Institution and support the proposed research project in compliance with all applicable legal requirements.

Only direct costs — expenses directly required for the proposed project — are allowable. Indirect costs are not supported. Allowable costs are further defined in each RFP listed under Funding Opportunities.

Applications undergo peer review by the Scientific Review Panel, composed of ASTRO members with relevant expertise. In general, three qualified reviewers are assigned to score each letter of intent or proposal, and in no situation will fewer than two reviewers score an application.

No individual who is named as Principal Investigator, Faculty Mentor or any other Key Personnel on an application may score applications for that grant opportunity. Reviewers will not be assigned to score applications from their own institution and must recuse themselves from their discussion. Foundation volunteers may apply but are recused from all review activities for that opportunity. Signatories of Letters of Support are recused from scoring or discussing the related application.

Recipients must submit scientific progress and financial reports according to the schedule in their Award Letter. The Principal Investigator is responsible for progress reports that include updates on project developments, publications and any outcomes to date. Financial reports must be completed by an Authorized Official from the Sponsoring Institution and include a comparison of actual vs. budgeted expenditures. An explanation of any variances between the actual vs. budgeted expenditures is also required.

The Principal Investigator must submit an abstract of the project’s results to the ASTRO Annual Meeting either before or after completion of the research. Manuscripts should be submitted to journals with a large U.S. audience.

Recipients must acknowledge Speed of Light – The ASTRO Foundation in any publications, presentations or promotions related to the funded research. A version of the logo for use by grant recipients can be requested by email.

Research grant recipients are expected to participate in promotional/publicity activities in cooperation with the Foundation, such as newsletter articles, fundraising materials, events and social media. The Foundation reserves the right to include information relating to the grant in any of its communications or those of its affiliates as well as databases of research grants that may be accessible to the public. Principal Investigators are expected to respond to the Foundation’s follow-up requests regarding research and career progress after the award period concludes.

Yes. No-cost extension (NCE) requests must be submitted at least 30 days before the award end date. The request includes a progress report that describes the work to date, the proposed new end date, the rationale for why an NCE is necessary, a description of the remaining work, and how remaining funds will be used to complete the work. A financial report signed by an Authorized Official that shows expended funds to date is also required. Contact staff for more information about submitting a request.

NCEs are granted on a case-by-case basis, and the Foundation may request additional reporting during the extension period.

Yes. Moving funds between budget categories greater than 10% of the total award amount requires written justification and approval from the Foundation before expenditure of the funds. To request budget modifications, the grant recipient must provide the rationale for the proposed budget revisions along with copies of the original budget and the revised budget that clearly highlight the requested changes. Contact staff for more information about submitting a request.

Any change in key personnel must be promptly reported to the Foundation. A written request that includes the reason for the change in key grant personnel and the plan to achieve the aims of the project as outlined in the proposal under the new grant personnel is required. Biosketches of all new key grant personnel must also be provided. Contact staff for more information about submitting a request.

A grant can be terminated if the Principal Investigator leaves the Sponsoring Institution. Requests to transfer a grant to a new institution or to assign a new Principal Investigator will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact staff for more information about submitting a request.

Any changes to the project’s purpose or research design require approval by the Foundation. A written request to change the scope of the project that includes the reason and rationale for the change in scope and any budgetary impact to the grant must be submitted. The revised research aims and study plan, a new timeline, an updated budget, and any supporting documentation to justify the change in scope are also required. Contact staff for more information about submitting a request.

All Speed of Light – The ASTRO Foundation research grant recipients are required to meet the expectations for the responsible conduct of research by reporting their work honestly, accurately, efficiently and objectively. The Foundation has the right to request a refund of unspent funds if the research award recipient is found to commit misconduct including:

• The falsification, fabrication or plagiarism of data or results relating to the research award.
• The omission of material data or results that occurs during the application process for performance of or reporting on the research award.
• Any other fraudulent or unlawful act relating in any way to the research award.

A final report prepared by the Principal Investigator and a financial report prepared by the responsible financial officer for the Sponsoring Institution must be submitted within 60 days of the termination of the research grant, whether it is the scheduled end date specified in the Award Letter or for any other reason.

The Sponsoring Institution shall return all unspent funds following the termination of the grant for any reason.