Office of Sponsored Programs & Grants

Our mission is to provide high quality development, support for and administration of externally funded research, projects and programs throughout the lifecycle of each grant, applying regulatory and organizational expertise. 

The Office of Sponsored Program’s research administrators are pre-award, post-award and compliance professionals who bring unique and related experiences from every aspect of research administration. We fine tune our business processes and evolve to meet the changing needs of the institution and the people we work with on a daily basis. The team is organized to efficiently support the needs of researchers, project directors, collaborators and sponsors. Grants, contracts and cooperative agreements between Western Colorado University and federal or state agencies, and private foundations, are managed by the Director of Sponsored Programs in Academic Affairs and the Grants Manager in Finance and Administration. 

The Director of Sponsored Programs is the primary liaison for faculty, staff and students, funding agencies and administration to ensure all interests are represented and protected with each request submitted. The Director of Sponsored Programs is the University’s Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) to submit proposals, negotiate and accept sponsored research awards and service agreements on behalf of the University Board of Trustees. 

The Grants Manager in Finance and Administration supports pre-award budget development and manages post-award budgets in coordination with the primary award contact. 

Resources, technical assistance, proposal submission and post-award management are all supported by the research administration team. The Office of Sponsored Programs and Grants protects the university’s interests by: 

• Developing, reviewing and managing the approval process for the submission of project proposals. 

• Assist with reviewing and negotiating grant contracts and agreements. 

• Monitoring the post-award implementation and administration of awards. 

• Providing guidance for compliance with internal and sponsor policies and procedures 

• Serving as the liaison with sponsors and regulatory agencies. 

• Providing tailored tutorials and training for individuals and small groups are available upon request. Contact us to discuss needs and schedule sessions.