The Project Management Office’s (PMO) mission is to support the university’s scholars in successfully planning, executing, and managing sponsored funding. We collaborate with large project teams on externally sponsored UNL-led proposals. To maximize the availability and level of services, reach out as early as possible. Contact the PMO directly at researchpmo@unl.edu. Please include any proposal or sponsor documentation, guidelines, or requirements as well as the submission deadline (if applicable) with your request.
Project Planning (Pre-Award/Submission) Phase
| All Projects Wanting Project Management Support | Tier 1 Strategic Guidance | Tier 2 ** Comprehensive PM Support | Tier 3 ** All-inclusive; for large multi-institutional, and/or center-scale projects/programs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Consultation Meet with PI to review RFA, discuss needs, provide PMO service information, and assess the project |  | (Required) | (Required) | (Required) |
| Templates, Tools, and Resources Utilize PMO’s repository of templates, tools, and resources for PM proposal needs. Request ad-hoc templates as needed. | | | | |
| Project Management Outline/Checklist Create checklists of required PM components and narrative outlines/templates | | | | |
| Kickoff Meeting Meet with project team to refine needs, define roles and responsibilities, and establish expectations and key milestones for deliverables. | (Required) | (Required) | (Required) | |
| PM Document/Table/Chart Review Review, edit, or provide input on PM related documents to meet sponsor or UNL guidelines and improve proposal competitiveness | (1-2 Rounds) | (3 Rounds) | (3 Rounds) | |
| Project Management Plan (PMP) In collaboration with the project team, co-write the PMP to meet sponsor, UNL, and NE guidelines and improve PM competitiveness. | | | ||
| Budget and Justification Create a budget complying with sponsor, UNL, and NE guidelines | | | ||
| Customized Project Management As an integrated project team member; proposal and project-related project management support. Responsibilities include attending project team meetings, coordinating with collaborating offices at UNL, creating a comprehensive submission timeline, and overseeing key milestones to ensure timely completion. | | |||
| Submission Support In collaboration with the project team, co-write the PMP to meet sponsor, UNL, and NE guidelines and improve PM competitiveness. If the department/college/unit does not have designated staff, the PMO can provide NuRamp form routing, document upload, and work with OSP for final approval and submission. | |
Project Implementation and Execution (Post-Award) Phases
| All Projects Wanting Project Management Support | Tier 1 Strategic Guidance | Tier 2 ** Comprehensive PM Support | Tier 3 ** All-inclusive; for large multi-institutional, and/or center-scale projects/programs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation Meet with PI and/or project to share PM information, experience, or ideas. | | | | |
| Templates, Tools, and Resources Utilize PMO’s repository of templates, tools, and resources for PM proposal needs. Request ad-hoc templates as needed. | | | | |
| Project Manager Monthly Meetings Invitation to Project Manager to attend PMO monthly meetings to discuss current projects, ideas, challenges, issues, and create a community of project managers across the campus. | | | | |
| Project Kick off and Knowledge Transfer Upon award notification, the PMO will support the project management for the first three months of the project while a search for a permanent project manager is conducted. The PMO will train the permanent project manager once hired and continue to provide training and resources throughout the project’s duration. | | | ||
| Full Project Management Once a project is awarded, the PMO can hire, train, and develop project managers who are funded as direct costs on these projects. | | |||
| Interim Project Support If a project manager leaves during a PMO-managed project, either temporarily or permanently, the PMO will assign a replacement PM to step in until the original PM returns or a new PM is hired, ensuring continuous project support. | |
