Mission Statement

The mission of the Office of Sponsored Programs & Research Administration (OSPRA) is to support the University community in the following areas: the acquisition of external funding and administration of externally funded projects, the ethical conduct of research, and developing internal and external research collaborations to advance the mission of the University.  OSPRA balances facilitating extramural sponsorship of research, instruction, and service activities with the priorities and stewardship expectations of the institution, governmental entities, sponsors, and the public.  OSPRA strives to provide excellent customer service, and, in collaboration with other University offices, continually seeks ways to improve services and streamline administrative processes.

Services

• Provide assistance to faculty and staff in obtaining and managing sponsored projects by: identifying external funding opportunities to support research and creative activities, instructional programs, and service projects; preparing and submitting grant proposals and contract bids; negotiating and accepting awards; and administering grants and contracts from inception to close-out (with the exception of accounting and financial reporting services);

• Resolve issues that may arise in the conduct of sponsored projects, either with sponsors or with administrative offices within the University;

• Ensure the ethical conduct of research at VSU through administration of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the protection of human research participants and the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) as well as by assisting in the implementation of other research related institutional policies; 

• Administer the internal Faculty Research Seed Grant Program to promote research, scholarship, and the pursuit of extramural funding; and

• Promote collaborations between the University, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and business and industry to encourage and facilitate sponsored activities. 

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