1. Notification of Award
   Once the funder’s review is complete, successful applicants are informed about the award. At this point, Makerere’s Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU) begins handling the legalities of the grant process.
2. Negotiating and Accepting Funding
   The Principal Investigator (PI), with support from GAMSU, negotiates the terms of the award in line with university and national policies. The Vice Chancellor, on behalf of the University Council, formally accepts the award. Before finalizing the agreement, the university’s legal office reviews the award terms, and the Vice Chancellor approves and signs the contract. A copy of the award is then filed with GAMSU, and the contract becomes binding after approval by the University Council and inclusion in the annual budget.
3. Setting Up Sub-Award Recipients
   If the awarded grant involves sub-recipients, GAMSU handles the preparation and signing of sub-award agreements. The PI ensures that the proposal is complete and that the project team is well-suited to the grant’s objectives.
4. Proposal Development and Budgeting
   GAMSU supports PIs in crafting and submitting successful proposals. This includes providing checklists, editing services, and templates, as well as guiding PIs through the development of detailed budgets and justifications. All costs, including direct project costs and institutional administrative costs (indirect costs), must be appropriately accounted for. Any cost-sharing commitments require University Council approval.

At Makerere, the Grants Office collaborates with procurement, legal, and other relevant departments to ensure smooth execution of the award phase, providing comprehensive support for a successful project launch.