PPB-26 proposals should directly respond to the Institutional Priorities for the 2026–2027 year, which operationalize the Strategic Plan.
Section 1: Application & Submission Process
1. What is the PPB-26 process?
PPB-26 is SUNY Old Westbury’s annual, campus-wide process for developing and funding proposals that advance and are aligned with the Strategic Plan 2026–2031:
“Owning Our Future Through Community, Excellence, Impact, and Distinction.”
2. Who is eligible to submit a proposal?
All current faculty, staff, and students are eligible to submit proposals.
3. What are the main components required in a proposal?
Proposals must include Part I (Narrative & Budget) and Part II (Required Documents).
4. What are endorsements, and what endorsements are required?
Endorsements are confirmations of support from academic or administrative leaders responsible for the area in which your project will operate. They indicate that:
- The project aligns with the department or division’s goals.
- The unit has the capacity to support the project.
- The proposed activities do not conflict with existing obligations or policies.
- Leadership is aware of and agrees with the project’s scope, timeline, and resource needs.
Two levels of endorsement are required:
Informal Endorsement (via email) – Prior to the submission deadline on January 15, 2026.
This is a short email from your department chair/director and school dean (if applicable) confirming that they have reviewed your proposal and support its submission.
Formal Endorsement – Due January 30, 2026
A formal email of approval from the appropriate Vice President, Associate Vice President, Dean, or Division Head will be sent to pprfp@oldwestbury.edu endorsing your proposal. This confirms that the project fits within divisional priorities and operational capacity.
5. What is the PPB-26 proposal and funding timeline?
- Jan 15, 2026 – Proposal submission deadline
- Jan 30, 2026 – Leadership endorsements due
- July 1, 2026 – Funds awarded
- June 30, 2027 – Funds must be spent; goods/services received
- Aug 31, 2027 – Final report due
6. Where do I submit my proposal?
Submit via the Performance Planning website: https://www.oldwestbury.edu/office-president/presidential-initiatives/performance-planning/submit-proposals
7. What support is available during the proposal process?
Information sessions, workshops, office hours, templates, and leadership guidance are available. For questions related to PPB, contact Lisandra Ramos, Special Assistant to the President, at ramosl@oldwestbury.edu.
For external grant-related questions, contact Jennifer Jones, Director of the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs, at jonesje@oldwestbury.edu.
Section 2: Project Types, Scope & Expectations
8. What kinds of faculty projects can I run if I cannot include extra service or compensation?
Even without extra service or compensation faculty can run impactful projects, such as:
- Course-embedded research or project-based teaching
- Student research assistants for independent studies or internships
- Use of existing departmental or campus resources
- Cross-unit collaborations
- Community-based or service-learning research
- Curriculum redesign or pedagogical innovation
- Pilot initiatives supporting advising, mentoring, or student success
These remain competitive when they demonstrate clear outcomes and alignment with institutional priorities.
9. What types of projects are most likely to be funded?
Projects aligned with institutional priorities, with strong outcomes and sustainability.
10. What is considered a Signature Program?
A distinctive, innovative, mission-aligned academic or co-curricular program with high impact. A Signature Program is one that is:
- Unique or rarely offered
- Innovative in design or delivery
- Aligned with institutional identity
- Recognized for excellence
- High-impact for students
- Responsive to emerging needs
Section 3: Funding, Budget & Compliance
11. Is there a funding limit?
No strict limit—requests must be reasonable, justified, and feasible.
12. What can PPB funds NOT be used for?
PPB funds cannot be used for extra service, Personnel Services Regular (PSR), personnel temp services, or unapproved subscriptions.
13. What is PSR?
PSR refers to salary expenses paid to full-time employees for work that is part of their regular duties. PPB cannot cover additional salary compensation.
14. How will proposals be selected?
Proposals are scored by the Planning & Budget Committee (PBC) using the PPB-26 scoring rubric. High-scoring proposals advance to a semi-final round with presentations and campus voting. Final decisions are made by the President after reviewing PBC recommendations and the campus vote.
15. How will proposals be evaluated & scored?
PBC assesses proposals based on:
- Alignment with 2026–2027 Institutional Priorities
- Organizational support and structure
- Clarity of need, outcomes, and impact
- Feasibility within one-year cycle
- Budget transparency and sustainability
Matrix Score:
- 0 – Not at all
- 1 – Somewhat
- 2 – Fair
- 3 – Good
- 4 – Excellent
- N/A – Not Applicable
The Scoring Rubric is included in the Appendix of the PPB application.
16. What makes a proposal competitive?
Clear metrics, data-informed need, collaboration, sustainability, and strong outcomes.
17. What is the expectation for sustainability after the grant year?
Projects may continue through external funding, revenue generation, reallocation, or zero-cost integration.
Section 4: Structural Requirements & Tools
18. What is the Sunset List and why is it required?
The Sunset List identifies programs or processes to discontinue, reduce, or redesign to allow for new initiatives. Reasons may include innovation, technology updates, efficiency, or strategic alignment.
The Sunset List template is included in Section II of the PPB application.
19. What is a SWOT Analysis?
A strategic planning tool that evaluates:
- Strengths – internal assets supporting success
- Weaknesses – internal challenges or gaps
- Opportunities – external trends or conditions to leverage
- Threats – external risks or barriers
20. What is the purpose of the SWOT, Best Practices, and Risk/Compliance matrices?
They evaluate readiness, risk, compliance, evidence-based design, and operational capacity. Templates are in Section II of the application.
21. How should I show the impact of my proposal?
Use quantitative and qualitative metrics aligned with the Assessment Impact Matrix in Section II.
22. May I adapt my PPB proposal for an external grant?
Yes. The PPB application is designed to translate easily into federal grant formats.
23. Do student proposals need a faculty or staff sponsor?
Yes. Students must have a faculty or staff project director for oversight and compliance.