Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP)

Overview

ORSP staff are organized by departmentally-assigned teams, offer professional development opportunities, principal investigator training, disseminate funding information, provide assistance with the processing of proposals (including administrative review and sign-off), and assist with the negotiation of external agreements. ORSP assists with the development of the proposal narrative and budget, as well as providing the institutional financial management of grants, contracts, and other externally funded agreements beginning immediately after the award.

All proposals which use the name and resources of The University of Montana and which may result in an award to the University must adhere to University procedures for submitting a proposal, accepting an award, and administering the project.

The ORSP Proposer's Guide outlines the process by which faculty and staff may seek out and engage in externally-sponsored activities or creative work while satisfying University requirements.

The Role and Responsibilities of the Principal Investigator provides necessary information so that the PI is fully informed as to his/her responsibilities.

University grants must be routed and approved through ORSP. Two to three weeks before the submission deadline, schedule a time with ORSP to discuss your project and review the preliminary budget. Reviewing your proposal in advance allows ample time for changes to be made, if necessary, before the deadline.

For further reading, consider this: the importance of submitting project reports in a timely manner.

ORSP Training and Professional Development

P.I. Training

Accepting recommendations made by Legislative Auditors, the Montana Board of Regents instructed the Montana University System (MUS) presidents to implement mandatory training for MUS researchers in pre- and post-award grant management, intellectual property, and conflict of interest and misconduct in science compliance. As a result, any UM faculty or staff who anticipate submitting grant or contract applications on behalf of The University of Montana must complete PI Training prior to submittal.  Such training remains valid if a PI actively submits proposals.  However, if a PI does not submit for two years following PI Training, the training must be retaken prior to any proposal submittal.  Call 243-6671 to register. (Training Schedule)

Professional Development Series

NCURA Videos are purchased from the National Council of University Research Administrators and are presented by leading research administrators from across the nation. *Please note, NCURA DVDs are typically four hours long, but will be presented in two, 2 hour sessions. Go to the ORSP NCURA DVD Listing

ORSP Open Forums will provide a round-table opportunity for research administrators from across campus to come together to discuss challenges and share information.  No registration or sign-up is needed (first-come, first-served). (Training Schedule)

Tailored Discussion Opportunities

ORSP team members will also visit your department for more tailored discussions.  Discussions can be scheduled over a noon hour with a small group, during a regularly-scheduled departmental meeting, or at a round-table held specifically for this conversation.  These visits will last no longer than 60 minutes and will include participants from sponsored programs including both members of your departmentally-assigned team, and others as necessary for topical expertise.

While Q&A will be definitely be welcome and included, discussion topics must be identified prior to the visit , even if only with a broad brush.  Please call x6671 or email our office at orsp@umontana.edu to coordinate a time and topics for this discussion.

Training Schedule

NCURA DVDs

NCURA DVDs purchased by ORSP are generally available to be checked out after the ORSP presentation.  Please contact ORSP at 243-6671 or orsp@umontana.edu for further information.

Forthcoming DVD presentations:

Critical Issues for the Department Administrator, to be Aired March 23, 2010
To be presented by ORSP May 3rd (part 1) and 4th (part 2).
Non-Financial Research Compliance, to be aired June 15, 2010
ORSP Presentation currently unscheduled.
Negotiating Federal Contracts and Pass-Through Awards to be aired September 21, 2010
ORSP Presentation currently unscheduled.

Previously aired/presented DVDs:

Managing Financial Requirements of Awards, aired January 26, 2010
Subrecipient Monitoring: Assessing Risk, aired September 15, 2009
F&A Rates for the Non-Accountant, aired June 9, 2009
Cost Sharing: Why No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, aired March 10, 2009
Audits and the Audit Process, aired January 13, 2009
Good Customer Service for Research Administrators, 2008
Complex Agreements, 2008
Effective Proposal Development, 2008
Managing Cost Issues, 2008