Overview of Sponsored Projects Administration

3.1 The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP)

The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) supports faculty and other university personnel in all aspects of obtaining and managing external funding for research, scholarly, instructional, and creative activities. Most proposals for externally funded sponsored projects require OSP review and approval before submissions to the sponsor. Once a project is awarded, the University and the Principal Investigator (PI) share responsibility for ensuring that the project is conducted as proposed, that funds are used in accordance with sponsor terms and conditions, and that all required reporting and closeout obligations are met. 

For information about OSP staff assignments, please refer to OSP assignments.

The Office of Sponsored Projects is responsible for:

1. Identifying funding opportunities and notifying the University community about these opportunities as well as sponsor policies and application guidelines
2. Advising the University community on federal, state, and local government rules, regulations and procedures
3. Reviewing, approving, and authorizing proposal submissions to ensure compliance with University policies and sponsor requirements.
4. Ensuring compliance with applicable sponsor regulations, award terms, and institutional policies throughout the lifecycle of the sponsored project.
5. Negotiating award terms and conditions on behalf of the University.
6. Processing the Notice of Award (NOA) and coordinating with other University offices to establish the project account. 
7. Coordinating award closeout activities and maintaining required non-fiscal post award documentation.
8. Serving as the primary point of contact between the PI and the sponsor for actions requiring prior approval or formal correspondence. 
9. Supporting administrative aspects of active projects, including drafting and issuing subawards, processing project extensions, and assisting with other administrative modifications.  
10. Providing training and guidance to faculty and staff on proposal development, compliance requirements, sponsor-specific rules, and institutional procedures. 
11. Maintaining institutional records, including a comprehensive database of proposals, awards, and related information used for reporting and strategic planning at the University, college, and departmental levels. 
12. Verifying adherence to federal and institutional compliance requirements, including certifications, representations, and other regulatory obligations associated with sponsored projects.

Go to Section 3.2 >>

1. The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP)
2. What is a Sponsored Project?
3. Types of Sponsored Projects
   1. Grant
   2. Cooperative Agreement
   3. Contracts
      1. Research Agreement
      2. Service Agreement
      3. Clinical Services (Investigations) Agreement
      4. Master Agreement
      5. International Agreement
      6. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
      7. Material Transfer Agreements (MTA)
      8. Affiliates (or Consortium) Programs
      9. Other Agreements, Other Transaction Agreements(OTA’s), Technology Investment Agreements (TIA’s)