Office of Sponsored Programs

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) offers expertise and comprehensive assistance in external funding acquisition, proposal development, budgeting, compliance, and contractual agreements.

OSP ensures seamless alignment with federal, state, and institutional regulations, supporting Principal Investigators and their project teams in navigating the complexities of the Sponsored Project Life Cycle.

Providing guidance throughout the sponsored program process

At Boise State University, the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) plays a vital role in supporting principal investigators and their projects’ life cycles. Working hand-in-hand with principal investigators, business managers, and their college and departmental administrative staff, OSP offers specialized assistance to navigate the journey within the life cycle of the ecosystem.

Research and Creative Activity Ecosystem: OSP Expertise

OSP interacts with researchers in the Research and Creative Activity Ecosystem during steps 3-6 through its Pre-Award, Contracting, and Post-Award Teams

Contributions to the Research Ecosystem

OSP’s Contributions to the Research Ecosystem includes:

Expert Guidance: Providing comprehensive support in proposal submission, budgeting, compliance, contractual agreements, and award management.
Regulatory Alignment: Ensuring sponsored project activities adhere to federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies.
Integral Support: Dedicated to facilitating successful external funding acquisition and assisting throughout various phases of project life cycles, fostering successful outcomes.

We’ve honed the life cycle into seven steps. Do you need full support along the way? Follow the path that takes you from start to finish. But for those who need support in one, two, or a few of these steps, we’ve built a system that allows you to choose your own adventure. Jump into any of these steps as you need them.

Click below to learn more about our ecosystem or let’s have a conversation to help you get started.

Research and Creative Activity Ecosystem

Step 1: Generate Idea

What would you like to research or create? In step one, learn to look at your ideas carefully and discover what to do with them; after all, some of you have done this before but need assistance, and so many others have great ideas but are new to this and don’t know where to begin.

CRCA Research Development can work with you to brainstorm, network with peers, develop a team and explore ideas. We can provide consultation on generating ideas, build an affinity group around your ideas, provide guided brainstorm facilitation for groups, and be a partner in developing collaborations. If you have compliance questions, connect with the Office of Research Compliance.

You may need to connect with the following offices at this stage:

Research Development Brainstorming Support

Step 2: Find Funding

Once you have established your idea, it’s time to investigate your funding options. Here, you’ll discover the resources to help you get started.

Research Development consults on strategies for finding extramural funding opportunities aligned to your research and creative activity. We disseminate funding opportunities and manage the Limited Submission calls. We support and promote opportunities to interface with program officers.

You may need to connect with the following offices at this stage:

Center for Research and Creative Activity

Step 3: Prepare Proposal

Your idea is set. You’ve investigated your funding options and are ready to introduce your project. In this step, you’ll learn how to prepare your proposal, find resources, and get help creating your valuable documents in preparation for proposal submission.

You may need to connect with the following offices at this stage:

Sponsored Project Life Cycle Research Development Proposal Preparation

Step 4: Submit Proposal

The excitement is in the air. You are finalizing your proposal, so it is finally time to submit! Find out everything you need to know about submitting your proposal.

Find out everything you need to know about submitting your proposal. The Office of Sponsored Programs supports this stage of the ecosystem by working with Principal Investigators (PIs) and their college and departmental administrators (collectively referred to as Business Managers (BoMs)).

Connect with the following offices at this stage:

Office of Sponsored Programs

Step 5: Accept Award

You’ve received the great news that a sponsor is interested in your idea and wants to fund your research and creative activity. Learn about award acceptance and how to take the next steps towards starting your project here.

The Office of Sponsored Programs supports this stage of the ecosystem by working with Principal Investigators (PIs) and their college and departmental administrators (collectively referred to as Business Managers (BoMs)). If you have compliance questions, connect with the Office of Research Compliance

You may need to connect with the following offices at this stage:

Step 6: Manage Award

Here, the research and creative activity begins. There are many details to manage, organize, and undertake around your project, as well as researching or creating your project. But how do you organize such a workload? Learn more about the exciting journey of bringing your vision to life here.

The Office of Sponsored Programs supports this stage of the ecosystem by working with Principal Investigators (PIs) and their college and departmental administrators (collectively referred to as Business Managers (BoMs)). Center for Research and Creative Activity Project Management Initiative, Office of Research Compliance, and Office of Technology Transfer may be involved in this step as well, depending on the project.

You may need to connect with the following offices at this stage:

Sponsored Project Life Cycle Connect with CRCA-Programmatic Sustainability

Step 7: Share Research

Your project is complete, and it’s time to release your hard work into the world. We can help you find the channels needed to share your findings. Pat yourself on the back. You’ve accomplished something tremendous, and we’re delighted you have invited us to join your journey.

You may need to connect with the below offices at this stage:

Are you a Principal Investigator? Read below

Welcome, Principal Investigators

Discover your role and responsibilities in sponsored projects on the Investigators page. Access tools and resources for streamlined submission, acceptance, management, and closure of sponsored project awards.

Learn more about Principal Investigators

Learn about the role of the Business Manager below

Hello, Business Managers

Business Managers (BMs) collectively oversee the college and departmental aspects of a Principal Investigator’s work, playing a crucial role in project support.

Access quick links and tools for Business Managers by clicking the button below.

Visit Business Managers Page

What is the role of a Recharge Center?

Recharge Centers

Recharge Centers play a crucial role in our University’s academic and research landscape, providing access to advanced technologies and services beyond the means of individual investigators, often financially and technically.

Click here to explore policies, procedures, and a list of approved university recharge centers.

Learn More About Recharge Centers

Effort Reporting

Effort reporting involves quantifying the time dedicated to specific activities, expressed as a percentage of an individual’s total work-related hours compensated by the University. It confirms to federal granting agencies that the committed effort outlined in the award conditions has been fulfilled.

Feel assured: OSP offers valuable information and guidance throughout the effort reporting process. Learn more about it below.

Explore Effort Reporting Details

Resources

Our forms and guides are now on the division-wide Forms and Resources page. Please contact us with additional questions, and learn more about us here.