Prepare
Define the need, strategic rationale, outcomes, budget, timeline, and risks. Discuss ideas and projects with members of the committee to ensure projects are aligned and consistent with funding priorities.
Review Process
Review Criteria
Every proposal must answer six key questions. Reviewers score each one, and the scores inform discussion rather than replace judgment or budget constraints.
Strategic alignment and programmatic need:
Does the request advance a defined priority or platform?
Scientific and clinical impact:
What meaningful clinical, scientific, patient, workforce, or mission benefit is expected?
Financial and growth impact (ROI):
Is the request financially sound, transparent, and capable of creating meaningful value?
Feasibility and implementation readiness:
Is there an accountable owner, executable plan, and manageable dependencies?
Collaboration and cross-disciplinary reach:
Does the request build collaboration or benefit more than one group where appropriate?
Sustainability beyond fund support
What is the path after fund support ends, if applicable?
THE PROCESS
How It Works
Every proposal follows the same nine stages, from preparation to follow-through, with decisions due in April.
Submit
Jan 15–29Your request enters the standard or enterprise-wide track during the submission window.
Triage
Program staff check completeness, assign a clinical area, and flag conflicts and obvious governance or budget issues.
Pre-read
Reviewers independently assess each packet against a common rubric and note questions.
Review
Feb · MarThe relevant program subcommittee reviews standard requests in February. Enterprise-wide requests, and any item needing higher authority, go to the Executive Advisory Council in March.
Authority check
Program leadership and the Council confirm delegated budget and authority, and escalate when thresholds or risk require.
Decision notice
AprilYou receive a written outcome with any conditions, the funding route, and reporting expectations.
Fund and implement
MayFinance and program staff set up funding, and you carry out the approved scope.
Monitor and close
Spend, milestones, outcomes, and conditions are tracked through closeout or renewal.
Review Track
Relevant program subcommittee; Executive Advisory Council only when needed for authority, budget, or risk; then UCH CFO review and approval.
Possible Outcomes
- Approve: within delegated authority and budget.
- Approve with conditions: positive decision, subject to explicit conditions before release or spend.
- Defer: additional information is required for a decision.
- Redirect: a different funding or governance path is more appropriate.
- Escalate: outside delegated authority, budget, or risk tolerance; sent to the Executive Advisory Council.
- Decline: does not meet criteria or is not a current funding priority.
Proposal Submissions
Prepare your proposal
Proposals will be accepted January 15–29. In the meantime, review the program guidelines, and prepare your submission.
Submissions Open January 15