The Roles of Research and Sponsored Programs

 

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) is the unit responsible for giving leadership to the planning, organization, and administration of the University's grant and contract activities. The Office provides advice and assistance to faculty members in preparing and submitting proposals requesting funds for research and other sponsored programs. There are four major areas of responsibility and activity through which this is accomplished:

Liaison

ORSP serves as the University liaison with outside funding agencies. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs is the University unit through which local, state, and federal government and other prospective funding agencies and organizations channel their requests for assistance utilizing grants and contracts. In addition, it is the agent through which faculty coordinate their efforts in the development of research and other sponsored programs. The Office assists faculty in making contracts with government and private foundation officials, works to stimulate the interests of these agencies in appropriate University programs, and provides a clearinghouse for information on faculty interests and University programs and capabilities.

Information

ORSP provides sponsored program information services. Through established contacts with governmental agencies, private foundations, professional associations, and special periodicals, the Office maintains a source collection of current information about funding sources. Information about sources of program support, both public and private, proposal guidelines, and new programs and funding trends is shared with faculty, staff, administrators, and other persons affiliated with the University or requesting assistance from the University.

Coordination

ORSP coordinates the preparation and submission of proposals. In most instances faculty members initiate proposals for specific program interests that require outside funding. The initial faculty interest, along with department and college support, is important to successful proposal development. In order to facilitate the preparation of the proposals, the Office:

• Assists faculty members in identifying specific funding sources;

• Provides appropriate guidelines and other program information;

• Reviews proposals for completeness and format;

• Assists with actual proposal document preparation and submission;

• Assists with budget preparation, including coordination of institutional cost sharing, required space, faculty release time and other commitments;

• Coordinates University review procedures, required assurances and certifications, and transmittal to funding source;

• Determines whether human subject and animal care protection compliances are necessary and assists in developing adequate procedures;

• Coordinates conferences and sponsored credit activities with Division of Continuing Education;

• Monitors the status of pending proposals; attempts to expedite their review and approval;

• Negotiates the legal and technical components of research grants and contracts or other agreements on behalf of the institution; and

• Provides general assistance to the University in the planning and development stages of new programs and facilities whenever outside funding is a consideration.

Administration

ORSP administers grants and contracts. Once a contract is awarded to the University, the Office maintains and coordinates review procedures necessary to insure compliance with applicable University, State of Florida and grantor policies and guidelines; provides general administrative services to the project director, including the establishment of accounts and records and general coordination of other fiscal procedures, and general institutional support of the program; provides academic and other administrative units with appropriate reports and current status of all sponsored programs and funded research activities; monitors the compliance with both Federal and State regulations; conducts all contract negotiations, including revisions, on behalf of the University; and monitors expenditures to assure compliance with University and funding agency policies.