Mission
The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), an integral unit within the Office of Research and Creative Activity, is dedicated to the administration of externally sponsored projects at UNO. Our mission is to navigate, support, and oversee the lifecycle of externally funded initiatives, ensuring compliance with federal, state, university, and sponsor regulations, terms, and conditions.
Vision
Our vision is to excel as a trusted partner and a recognized leader in the comprehensive administration and compliance oversight of externally sponsored projects at UNO, all while actively fostering and supporting responsible research, creative activities, and public service. Through these efforts, we contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the betterment of our community.
Supporting Sponsored Projects
The Office of Sponsored Programs supports sponsored projects at UNO through the following essential areas:
Pre-Award
Proposal Development, Budget Development and Submission
- Interpretation and application of funding guidelines.
- Consultation and assistance in the development of the official proposal budget.
- Provide guidance on timelines, starting from the notification of intent to submit a proposal through final submission to the sponsor.
- Assistance in completing all required institutional forms (budget, representations and certifications, assurances).
- Review proposals before submission to ensure compliance with sponsor guidelines, university policies, government regulations, and state law.
Non-Financial Assistance
- Assistance with Budget Reallocations, No Cost Extensions (NCE), PD/PI Changes & Award Transfers, Carryover Requests, Progress Reports, Prior Approvals.
- Serving as liaison between the sponsor and University/PD/PI.
Negotiation & Acceptance
- Drafting and negotiating non-financial agreements.
- Drafting, negotiating, and accepting/executing sponsored awards on behalf of the University.
- Interpretation of award terms and conditions, sponsor and university policies, and government regulations.
- Advising PD/PI regarding special obligations or requirements associated with sponsored awards by providing the PD/PI with an Awards Package.
- Serving as liaison with the general counsel's office, sponsor's contracts/awards officer, and other internal stakeholders.
- Processing awards via NuRamp to prompt Post-Award for award set-up.
Subaward (Issuing Outgoing Subawards)
- Conducts Risk Assessment.
- Creating and issuing outgoing subawards per the award/contract terms.
- Negotiating subaward terms.
Post-Award
Award Set-up
- Establishing accounts in SAP to allow spending in the UNO and state accounting systems.
- Notifying PD/PI and appropriate Dept./Unit/School/College contacts of the established project account number.
- Pre-Award and Post-Award work together to review administrative processes and timelines unique to each project. An optional initial transition meeting with the PD/PI is available to serve as a valuable resource that details the management of all awards and explains the roles and responsibilities in OSP.
Financial Management
- Invoicing sponsors and receiving sponsors’ funds.
- Drawing funds from federal letters of credit.
- Preparing and submitting financial reports for sponsors.
- Managing effort reporting/Personnel Verification Statements (PVS).
- Monitoring and advising on sponsor regulations and fiscal allowability.
- Distributing monthly financial statements to PD/PI and to the PD/PI's appropriate Dept./Unit/School/College staff support.
- First point of contact for Budget Reallocation inquiries.
Financial Reporting and Closeout
- Retention of award data, reports and documentation.
- Preparing and submitting interim financial and final financial reports and invoices.
- Providing closeout and termination assistance.
Audits
- Providing financial schedules for annual A-133 audit.
- Serving as liaison between the college/dept. and various auditors/reviewers.
Signature Authority
A Principal Investigator (PI), Department Chair, Dean, or other University of Nebraska at Omaha employee should never sign a sponsored projects proposal, contract or grant without first consulting OSP.
Before an agreement can be enforced, it must be signed by a person with specific statutory authority. For research grants and contracts, this authority has been delegated to the Director of OSP.