The Office of Sponsored Programs offers its five core courses in research administration leading to the Departmental Certification in Sponsored Programs during its core course week.

Departmental administrators who have responsibilities relating to sponsored research projects are invited to attend Feb. 9 through Feb. 11.

The Departmental Certification in Sponsored Programs consists of five core courses and two electives. Courses can be taken in any order. Required core courses include Proposal Preparation and Submission, Public Responsibility and Research Commitments, Budget Justification and Templates, Post Award Issues, and Grants and Contracts Accounting.
Every spring semester, OSP offers the five core courses in a two-and-a-half-day session, providing an opportunity to take them all at once. During the fall semester, courses are spaced out on the training calendar.

“It’s also a good networking opportunity and offers a lot of information, especially for those who just came into a university setting,” said OSP Training Manager Garrett Steed. “We’re under a different set of regulations from most other businesses.” After completing the required courses and at least two electives, participants take an “open book” test.

“Attendees learn how to correctly find, format and complete a proposal, budget and other necessary forms,” Steed said. “A departmental administrator can acquire a serious overview of OSP, down to the nuts and bolts. It gives them more confidence in what they are doing, and departments are improving internal processes as their administrators complete the certificate program.”

OSP assists principal investigators in applying for and administering research grants and contracts. All grants, contracts and cooperative agreements come through the office. OSP contracting officers work with sponsors that range from state and local governments to Department of Defense and other federal entities.