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Research Life Cycle

From idea to impact: guidance at every stage of sponsored research

Research at UMB involves a series of connected activities, each with its own requirements, approvals, and responsibilities. The Research Lifecycle brings together guidance, policies, and resources to help investigators and research teams navigate funding, proposal development, award management, compliance, and closeout—efficiently and in compliance with sponsor and University requirements.

Whether you are exploring a funding opportunity, preparing a proposal, managing an active award, or transitioning research results to practice, this section provides clear direction at each step of the process.

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How to Use This Section

The Research Life Cycle is organized around what you are doing, not which office you need to contact. Select the stage that best matches your current activity to find policies, procedures, tools, and contacts.

"At the University of Maryland, Baltimore, our research programs are built on a foundation of collaboration, innovation, and impact. We are committed to equipping our researchers with the resources and support they need to push the boundaries of discovery and bring meaningful solutions to the communities we serve."

Director of Research Programs, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Life Cycle Stages

  • Funding

    Identify and evaluate funding opportunities

    Explore federal, state, foundation, and industry funding sources. Learn how to assess eligibility, sponsor priorities, and timelines before investing effort in proposal preparation.

  • Budget and Expenses

    Plan, justify, and manage project costs

    Develop compliant budgets and manage expenses throughout the life of an award. Understand what costs are allowable, how to apply rates, and how to document expenditures properly.

  • Proposal Development

    Prepare and submit competitive, compliant proposals

    Guidance for building strong proposals—from internal routing and sponsor requirements to roles, timelines, and approvals.

  • Award Management

    Manage your award from setup through closeout

    Once an award is received, responsibilities shift to stewardship and compliance. This section supports effective post-award management.

  • Research Compliance

    Meet regulatory and institutional requirements

    Understand the compliance obligations that apply to your research and how to meet them throughout the project lifecycle.

  • Clinical Trials and Corporate Contracts

    Navigate industry-sponsored and clinical research

    Guidance specific to clinical trials and corporate-sponsored research, including budgeting, agreements, billing compliance, and sponsor coordination.

Contact

Office of Research and Development | ORD

620 W. Lexington St.
Fourth Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201

410-706-6723

Departments Within ORD

Sponsored Programs Administration Center for Clinical Trials and Corporate Contracts Office of Technology Transfer UM BioPark

The University of Maryland, Baltimore is the founding campus of the University System of Maryland.

620 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD
21201 | 410-706-3100

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination.
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