Sponsored Funds for Research and Other Activities
Scholarly research by faculty, staff and students is a critical component of the Illinois mission. The campus has an exemplary record of supporting this research (along with teaching and outreach) with funding from sponsors outside the University (such as the National Science Foundation or Department of Energy, among dozens of others).
On the Urbana campus, the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Administration (OSPRA) is responsible for the review and submission of external proposals (applying for awards/grants) and negotiations with outside agencies for the final awards. You will often see the words "grants and contracts" used when discussing external research funding.
Following the award of a grant or contract, the Office of Grants & Contracts at each campus supports university faculty and their departments in the administration and expenditure of sponsored project awards by developing and disseminating policies and procedures, managing the financial interactions with sponsors, and assuring compliance with university and sponsor policies.
The Office of Grants and Contracts at each campus supports the post-award administration (management of the funds after winning a grant) of these grants and sponsored projects.