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.

Professional Development Series

NCURA Video is purchased from the National Council of University Research Administrators and is presented by leading research administrators from across the nation.  ORSP Sessions will be presented by a staff member from ORSP and will focus more on UM-specific items.  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).

P.I. Training Schedule and Locations

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.