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Proposal, Agreement, or Award Help (Non-Technical)

Researchers and department staff should work directly with the SR team member assigned to a specific task or CERES record. For Pre-Award and Award Management, this person is listed as the Specialist in the CERES record.

Before you reach out, consult with department colleagues and school/department leadership, as not all questions may require Sponsored Research involvement.

When you reach out, make sure you are contacting the right person:

• Use the Find My SR Contact tool to identify your designated departmental contacts. Note: Items may be reassigned if a team member is out of the office; check the CERES record for the most current assignment.
• Find out more about Who Does What
• For additional help identifying the right contact, email SponsoredResearch@northwestern.edu. 

Reason for Reaching Out	Who to Contact
Question on a specific award or proposal*	Specialist listed on the FP / AWD record in CERES
Post-submission updates including Just in Time activity or to request a proposal be withdrawn or marked as not funded	Submit via a Proposal Status Confirmation request or e-mail to the Specialist listed on the FP record in CERES
New award notice/letter	Submit via a Proposal Status Confirmation request or e-mail SponsoredResearch@northwestern.edu for identification, log in, and assignment
Status of an award review or agreement negotiation*	Owner listed on the SRA / CTA agreement record in CERES
Status of an outgoing subcontract*	Owner listed on the outgoing subaward agreement record in CERES
Questions related to progress reports or reporting compliance	Maura Cleffi, Assistant Director, Award Management
Question on policy, a complex issue, or escalation	Sponsored Research Leadership

*Please do not ask for status updates for items that have been with SR for less than two business days, especially proposals if they were not submitted in compliance with the SR deadline policy

Systems Help and Technical Support

Help Request Form Submit a request for CERES and other systems-related help

eRA Commons Request Form Submit a request for eRA Commons-related help

SR Data Request Form  Submit a request for data from Sponsored Research (requires at least 5 days for processing)

The Business Systems & Operations (BSO) Team monitors incoming support requests from these forms during regular Sponsored Research business hours (8:30am – 5:00pm). You can also contact the Business Systems Team by emailing osr-info@northwestern.edu.

Not sure if you should contact the Business Systems Team or NUIT? Use the chart below to determine who can best assist you.