Research and Sponsored Programs

History

Research and Sponsored Programs have been around in one form or another for years. In the United States, “The Federal government [has] been a continuous patron of science since the Constitutional Convention of 1787.” In the late nineteenth century, with the creation of larger land-grant universities, laboratories and graduate programs grew and began to take the lead of research efforts.  In 2022-2023 grants and contracts comprised 13.1% of public universities operating revenues. 

Today

The University of Toledo has identified areas of research excellence in which highly accomplished faculty members are recognized nationally for their contributions to fields of astronomy and astrophysics; solar energy, water quality and sustainable technologies; and cell architecture and dynamics.

ORSP staff must balance supporting researchers while upholding compliance regulations that protect the University as a whole.

Mission

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs provides leadership and guidance in all aspects of external sponsorship of programs and research.

Vision

The University of Toledo will be recognized among the ranks as one of the great Midwestern research universities.

Find Funding
Principal Investigators (PI) utilize SPIN, Grants.gov, professional organizations, or many other methods to identify funding. Then enhance their research efforts through networking with potential collaborators, are up to date with research literature, and develop relationships with program managers from funding agencies. 

Proposal Development
Grants Development provides proposal review and editing services. The team can help craft a clear and compelling narrative, ensure that proposals address funding agency requirements effectively, and review proposals for grammar, style, and syntax. While also providing assistance with identifying funding opportunities.

Proposal Submission
PIs create a record in InfoEd to notify the Sponsored Programs their intention to submit a proposal. A Grants Coordinator is assigned to the grant proposal to assist the PI in developing a budget and routing the proposal for administrative approval.

Compliance
Research compliance covers a wide range of areas ensuring that UToledo researchers are conducting research responsibly and ethically. This means it is not simple one or two "steps," but is something researchers complete throughout the award life cycle. This includes: required trainings, animal and human care in research, research biosafety, controlled substances and dangerous drugs in research, export control, and research integrity.

Post-Award Administration
Contract specialist work with PIs to fully execute a contract for work to be completed. Post-award administration ensures appropriate documents are on file with ORSP (finalize budget, submit protocols, i.e., IRB, IACUC, etc.), then transfers the award to Grants Accounting.

Grants Accounting
Grants Accounting creates a Banner Index number, which allows PIs to begin paying for grant necessities. The Controller's Office directs Grants Accounting but works collaboratively with the ORSP.

Award Management
PIs manage grant administrative requirements (i.e., working with Grants Accounting regarding funding, Human Resources to hire, Purchasing Services to procure supplies, etc.).

Award Closeout
Review then close financial accounts, put record retention practices into action, submit final reports to funding agencies, and finalize any human resources requirements for staff hired through grant funding.