Office of Sponsored Programs

OSPR MISSION

The mission of the Office of Sponsored Programs is to enhance the environment for research and creative activities at Park University, to encourage and facilitate external funding for faculty projects, and to support the University’s pursuit of academic excellence.

The Office assists faculty in the process of applying for external funding in support of research, professional, and creative activities including: basic research, applied research, fellowships, curriculum development, community outreach, international exchange, sabbatical support, and faculty-guided student research.

SERVICES AND FUNCTIONS

  • Funding opportunity research
    • Funding opportunity and proposal-writing workshops
    • Communicating with funding agencies
    • Targeting funding alerts
  • Prepare application forms & proposals
    • Interpret agency guidelines
    • Develop budgets
    • Submitting electronic and hard copy applications
    • Announcing and publicizing grant awards
    • Negotiating awards
  • Enrollment in Responsible Conduct of Research Training
  • Developing and negotiating contracts
  • Tracking post-award

OSPR GOALS

  • To clarify the procedures for applying for external grants and awards, and to streamline the process as much as possible.
    Application procedure guidelines and a new Pre-Proposal Review Form is available by contacting OSPR.
  • To provide institutional data useful for grant writing. 
    This may be financial information such as:

    • the University’s tax exempt status information,
    • the indirect cost/Facilities & Administration (F&A) rate
    • the benefit rate on various categories of grant employees
    • outcomes information
    • the number of publications authored by members of the Park faculty
    • compliance information
  • To assist in developing grant budgets
  • To discuss with grant writers the need for University matching funds, commitments of space or equipment, salary supplements, and release time from teaching.
    In most cases, Deans are authorized to make such commitments. The signature of a Dean on a Pre-Proposal Review Form signifies authorization.
  • To assist Principal Investigators in the administration of their grants.
    The OSPR office will not take on the responsibilities of the Controller’s Office or Human Resources, but it will offer guidance on the policies and services of these and other University offices and, where necessary, work with these offices to resolve questions and problems.
  • To advocate for the needs of grant applicants and grant recipients.

Park University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Park University is a private, non-profit, institution of higher learning since 1875.