About the Office of Sponsored Programs
What are Sponsored Programs?
Also widely known as "research administration" or "grants and contracts administration", sponsored programs involves the procurement and management of external funds for investigator-initiated projects and activities.
External funds can be awarded from many different kinds of sponsors (federal, state, local government, non-profit, corporate, etc.) and can take many different forms (grant, contract, cooperative agreement, etc.). Principal Investigators and Project Directors, commonly referred to as “PIs”, are faculty or staff at the university who are proposing research, service, or creative activities to be funded by a sponsor. Such projects are typically related to their work at the university but are outside their current job responsibilities. Externally funded projects generally have a defined project period and line item budget, as well as sponsor-required deliverables. However, every award is different.
The Office of Sponsored Programs helps PIs to develop proposals that are competitive and responsive, both programmatically and technically, and manage subsequent awards to ensure compliance. OSP staff are trained and educated in the latest requirements and regulations at all levels, including 91ÁÔÆæ, University System of Georgia (USG), state entities, and federal agencies.
Mission Statement
The Office of Sponsored Programs aims to promote, facilitate, and increase research and scholarly activities through sponsored projects by supporting the university community in securing externally funded grants and contracts and providing services to ensure proper grant management and compliance.
To accomplish this mission, the Office of Sponsored Programs will:
- Provide the University and its faculty and staff with proficient, professional, and quality customer service and support
- Ensure proposals and awards are prepared and monitored in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations, as well as University policies and procedures
- Serve as a liaison between the University and current funding sources
- Provide assistance and training to faculty and staff regarding funding opportunity identification, proposal development and submission, and grant negotiation, management, and closeout
- Secure and initiate awards by reviewing contract and grant award terms and obtaining necessary approvals and signatures
- Manage awards through responsible stewardship and compliance oversight
- Maintain and provide detailed and accurate records on all external grants and contracts proposed and received by the University, ensuring compliance with sponsor expectations and regulatory requirements