USC RA Navigator Guide
Research Administration Prompt Examples
Choose what you are working on and start with a prompt designed for that task. Add your project details before using it with the USC Research Administration Navigator.
Choose Your Activity
Find a Starting Prompt
Select a research administration task. You can copy the example as written or replace the general wording with details from your project.
Select the option closest to what you are working on.
Starting Prompt
Proposal Development
Organize sponsor requirements and prepare for proposal development and internal routing.
Before using it: Replace the bracketed text and verify all sponsor and USC requirements.
After the First Response
Adapt the Answer to Your Next Task
Continue the conversation instead of rewriting the entire prompt. Add one of these instructions to the response you already received.
Simplify It
Use plain language for someone who is new to the topic.
Rewrite this response in plain language and define specialized terms.
Create a Checklist
Turn the answer into ordered, actionable steps.
Convert this response into a checklist with responsible individuals, USC offices, required approvals, and next actions.
Compare Requirements
Separate institutional, sponsor, and general guidance.
Present the requirements in a table and distinguish USC requirements, sponsor requirements, and general best practices.
Draft an Email
Prepare a message for review before it is sent.
Rewrite this information as a concise professional email with a subject line, requested actions, and next steps.
Identify Missing Details
Find assumptions or information that is still needed.
Identify missing information, assumptions, or unresolved questions that should be addressed before I rely on this response.
Recommend Next Steps
Focus the response on what should happen next.
Identify the immediate action, information I should gather, and the USC office or individual I may need to contact.
Helpful approach: Start with one follow-up instruction. If the response is still too broad, continue refining it by asking for missing information, supporting guidance, or a more useful format.
Make the Example Your Own
Customize the Prompt with CRAFT
A starting prompt becomes more useful when you replace general wording with the details that shape your situation.
Add the Details That Matter
Before copying a prompt into the Navigator, review it for the five CRAFT elements. You can omit an element when it does not affect the answer.
Example: Replace “[sponsor]” with “NIH,” add that you are a new Principal Investigator, and request a checklist written for someone preparing a first submission.
Before You Act
Review the Response Before You Use It
Prompt examples help you begin. They do not replace verification, data protection, institutional review, or professional judgment.
Verify
Confirm sponsor requirements, USC procedures, deadlines, required approvals, and compliance expectations before acting.
Review verification guidance →Protect
Do not enter restricted, confidential, proprietary, export-controlled, personnel, student, or protected health information.
Review data-protection guidance →Contact
Official reviews, approvals, signatures, sponsor decisions, and compliance determinations require the appropriate USC office or sponsor.
Find the appropriate office →