Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP)

Core Purpose

ORSP supports and protects the PI, department, and University.

Mission

The ORSP assists the University community in administering external funding for research, instruction, and public service activities, and ensures that all sponsored projects comply with appropriate University guidelines and policies, as well as federal, state, and sponsor regulations, in an effort to protect institutional eligibility for external funding.  The highest standards of integrity and fiduciary responsibility will be upheld.  Goals include:  creative problem solving, anticipating customer needs, and "going the extra mile" to fulfill those needs.

Overview

ORSP team members 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.