Office of Research and Sponsored Programs ~
Division of Research Development

The primary mission of the Division of Research Development is to motivate and enable University faculty and staff to become more engaged in research, creative, and scholarly activities. The two main goals of the Division are (1) to accomplish sustained growth in the percentage of faculty engaged in external, competitive, sponsored programs activities, and (2) to increase the number and funding level of these programs at the University. The primary functions of the Division of Research Development staff include the following:

Pre-Award Services ~ Provide support for faculty and staff pursuing projects funded by federal, state, corporate, or private agencies and organizations, including:

• collection and dissemination of information about funding opportunities;
• provision and support for online funding search services and targeted funding alerts;
• assistance in proposal development and in the interpretation of application guidelines;
• guidance on budget development and allowable costs;
• guidance on any compliance, technology management, contracting or subcontracting issues related to proposals, including referral to the relevant ORSP Divisions;
• assistance in completing the internal transmittal process;
• assistance with proposal submission;
• follow-up consultation on proposals that are denied funding.

Internal Grants Programs ~ Develop and manage the Faculty Research Program and the Faculty Travel Support program, and provide direct financial support to researchers for other needs, such as publication subvention, hosting workshops, conferences, and symposia, campus visits of potential collaborators and agency representatives, and start-up and other major equipment or facilities costs for new faculty.

Faculty Expertise Database ~ Develop and encourage the use of a web-based compendium of the research and scholarly activities, interests, and expertise of UM faculty and staff.

Information Resources for Researchers ~ Develop and keep up-to-date the Manual for Research and Sponsored Programs and the ORSP website to provide access to necessary information, policies, and procedures for faculty planning or conducting sponsored research activities.

Workshop Assistance ~ Develop and lead workshops that provide timely, research-related information and professional development opportunities for the faculty and staff.