Office of Sponsored Research
Laura Kubec, Director of Sponsored Research Services
The Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) supports the faculty and professional research staff in their efforts to secure external research funding. The OSR serves as a coordinating office for externally funded research projects submitted by Keck Graduate Institute, assisting with locating funding opportunities, proposal submission, agency relations, and post-award administration.
Services
The OSR provides the following services:
• Provides information on all aspects of research administration, from proposal development and submission to award management;
• Assists in identifying potential funding sources;
• Assists with proposal preparation, submission, and award negotiation in keeping with investigator interests, KGI policy, and funding agency regulations;
• Calculates Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs, and compiles information for the F&A Rate Proposal submitted to DHHS;
• Assists with the establishment and administration of awards so that matters involving budgets, travel, consultants, services, and personnel are handled efficiently and in a manner that complies with award terms and KGI regulations;
• Acts as liaison between sponsors and KGI personnel;
• Assists with the orderly close out of completed awards.
Staffing
All activities of the Office of Sponsored Research are managed by the Director of Research Services. The Director of Sponsored Research oversees the OSR and is the authorized signatory for all proposals and post-award reports.
Proposal Preparation
The Director of Sponsored Research Services assists researchers with proposal preparation by clarifying sponsors' submission procedures and interpreting KGI policies related to sponsored activities. Individuals are encouraged to consult the Director of Sponsored Research Services when beginning proposal development. Assistance provided at an early stage can help avoid problems that might result in a sponsor's rejection of a proposal or resolve issues that could delay acceptance of an award. It is particularly important to notify the OSR at an early date when responding to detailed proposal solicitations.
Prior to submission to the sponsor, proposals are reviewed for conformance to KGI policy and sponsor guidelines. Budgets must be reviewed and signed off by the Vice President for Finance and Operations prior to submission. Final proposals are approved by the Principal Investigator(s) and signed off by the Director of Research. Individuals need to be aware that some proposals may require additional internal approval prior to submission to the sponsor. The Director of Sponsored Research Services can assist you in determining the necessary approvals.
Award Administration
The Dean of Faculty has delegated authority to the Director of Research as the authorized signatory for sponsored agreements on behalf of KGI. Restricted gifts are accepted by the KGI Advancement Office; the Director of Sponsored Research Services can help determine if an award should be processed through the OSR or Advancement.
Prior to acceptance of an agreement, the OSR negotiates with the sponsor to ensure compliance with KGI policies and to obtain the best possible terms and conditions for both the Principal Investigator (PI) and KGI. For many government agencies there are standard terms and conditions with minimal negotiations necessary. Other government agencies and corporate entities may require extensive negotiations in order to reach a satisfactory contractual agreement.
Some award issues that typically involve negotiation are: publication delays imposed by the sponsor; ownership of research data; intellectual property concerns; risks involved in the project and KGI's liability under the award; restrictions on foreign nationals; and non-disclosure of proprietary materials or information being furnished by the sponsor. The contractual terms governing these issues can be very complex and can require extended negotiations before an acceptable agreement can be reached. During the negotiation process, the Director of Sponsored Research Services will keep PIs apprised of the status of the pending award.
After award acceptance, financial administration is the responsibility of the OSR in conjunction with the Financial Manager and Financial Services at CUC. Other post-award administration handled by the OSR include project-related negotiation and execution of all subrecipient arrangements, obtaining approvals for equipment, travel and rebudgeting, submitting requests for no-cost extensions, and coordinating award closeout. Any questions or problems arising during a project should immediately be brought to the attention of the Director of Sponsored Research Services.
Conflict Monitoring Committee
The Conflict Monitoring Committee oversees compliance with the KGI Code of Conduct, KGI Conflict of Interest Policy and Policies and Procedures for Reporting Financial Conflict of Interest By Public Health Services-Funded Investigators. The latter document ensures implementation of KGI's commitment to promoting objectivity in research and establishing standards that provide a reasonable expectation that the design, conduct, and reporting of federally sponsored research will be free of bias resulting from Investigator financial conflicts of interest.
Information about KGI's conflict monitoring and enforcement is available from Committee Co-Chairs Luann Bangsund (909) 607-0182 or Elizabeth Wright (909) 607-0149.
Compliance Committees
Keck Graduate Institute is committed to providing a safe research and working environment for all students, staff, faculty, and research personnel. (As there are no animal or clinical studies being conducted at KGI, the corresponding compliance and safety committees are not provided.) Contact information for all KGI safety committees is listed below.
Safety Committee Chair
William Roberts
(909) 607-8594
Chemical and Biological Safety Officer
Barbara Erwin
(909) 607-0160
OSR Contact Information
For more information on grant policies and procedures, please contact:
Laura Kubec
Director of Sponsored Research Services
Laura_Kubec[at symbol]kgi.edu
(909) 607-9313
KGI Information for Proposals
Authorized Organizational Representative: Robert W. Caragher
Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, Cognizant Agency & Date: Department of Health and Human Services, negotiated 6/11/10
On-Campus F&A Rate: 57.8% MTDC
Congressional District: 28
Entity Identification Number: 95-4625327
DUNS Number: 01-111-6907