Sponsored Research Services

Discussion between staffIQSS Research Administration

The Sponsored Research Administration Team at IQSS is dedicated to supporting social scientists' research by providing exceptional services throughout the lifecycle of a sponsored project.

An experienced team of sponsored research administrators provides pre- and post-award support to social scientists, primarily in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) but also across the University, with proposal development and submission, comprehensive grants management, and reporting. Our goal is to provide outstanding service to IQSS-affiliated investigators with all of their sponsored research needs.

Here is what we can do for you:

Proposal Support

  • Research and identify funding opportunities
  • Navigate funding opportunities and provide application checklists
  • Develop budgets, proposal documents, and application packages with Principal Investigators (PIs) and project team members
  • Ensure an accurate and complete proposal, compliant with the particular non-federal or federal guidelines and university policies
  • Coordinate with collaborators and administrators internally and externally on projects and subcontracts
  • Provide opportunities for peer review of draft proposal prior to submission
  • Shepherd proposal through internal Harvard review and approval process through submission to sponsor

Award Management

  • Act as the liaison to Harvard's Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) on award negotiation and set up
  • Provide pre- to post- award transition planning and support on project activities, such as recruitment, effort allocations, start-up costs (e.g., computer hardware and software), subcontracts and vendor contracts
  • Interpret university and sponsor guidelines and advise PIs and project staff on matters of compliance and risk
  • Provide monthly reconciliations and projections to PIs on their sponsored projects
  • Monitor expenses and advise PIs and research staff on spending trends, personnel allocations, and expense allowability
  • Prepare and negotiate vendor contracts
  • Process invoices and expense reimbursements
  • Assist with interim and annual progress reports to the sponsor
  • Manage the effort reporting process