Research Administration
About Our Team
The FAS Office of Research Administration (FORA), in partnership with the Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP), advances the research and scholarly mission of FAS through expert guidance, comprehensive support, and seamless collaboration across the sponsored research lifecycle. From identifying funding opportunities and developing proposals through award receipt, management, and closeout, we provide coordinated services that help researchers pursue and manage sponsored research successfully.
We work collaboratively across offices to provide seamless lifecycle support to FAS faculty and researchers. Each Principal Investigator (PI) will have a dedicated contact on both the OSP Proposal Development team and the FORA Research Portfolio Management team, who will work together as one coordinated team to provide seamless support throughout the sponsored research lifecycle. Our services are designed to expand and strengthen the support available to investigators while ensuring that research funds are managed in accordance with sponsor terms and conditions, University guidelines, and applicable regulations.
We are committed to providing researchers with the guidance, resources, and tools they need to maximize the impact of their research portfolio and advance the University’s mission.
The new Research Administration model is expected to be operational by mid-October.
Our Core Services
We support faculty, researchers, departments, centers, programs, and administrative colleagues across all FAS divisions. Our primary support is directed to those serving as Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-PIs on external research proposals and awards. Colleagues should contact us when they need help with the following:
- Identify and assess funding opportunities aligned with faculty research interests.
- Interpret sponsor guidelines and advise faculty on proposal requirements, eligibility, and submission strategies.
- Support the development of proposal budgets, budget justifications, and other required administrative materials
- Facilitate complete and timely proposal submissions, including routing for institutional reviews and approvals prior to submission
- Coordinate complete and timely Just in Time (JIT) submissions, including institutional reviews and approvals.
- Advise on initiating new awards and help faculty understand award terms, conditions, budgets, and reporting requirements.
- Monitor research portfolio spending, project timelines, personnel costing, and financial activity throughout the award period.
- Provide guidance on sponsor policies, University requirements, and research administration compliance.
- Prepare portfolio analyses to support informed decision making.
- Coordinate award modifications, including extensions, budget revisions, personnel changes, and supplemental funding requests.
- Manage award closeout activities, including final financial review, required reconciliations, and coordination of sponsor deliverables.
Related Resources
The following services fall outside the scope of Research Administration, but here’s where you can go for help:
- The Office of Research and Academic Compliance handles (i) faculty/researcher outside activities and conflicts of interest, (ii) export controls, and (iii) international collaborations and activities.
How to Work With Us
Coming soon.
Key Contacts & Coverage
We expect to share information on Proposal Development Management Team and Research Portfolio Management Team assignments the week of October 7th.
Research Administration Organizational Design
By October 8, PIs will receive communication identifying their assigned Proposal Development Manager (PDM) and Research Portfolio Manager (RPM).
The FAS Proposal Development and Award Management function will be fully operational by October 13. PIs should expect to hear from their assigned PDM and RPM.