The mission of the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) is to assist University faculty, graduate students and staff in obtaining external funding for their research, creative artistry, instructional and public service projects, through the media of fellowships, grants, and contracts.
A central university administrative unit within the Division of Research and Graduate Studies, the Office of Sponsored Projects fulfills its mission by working proactively with faculty and staff to develop their external funding interests, identifying appropriate funding opportunities, and providing assistance with all of the elements of proposal development and submission and acceptance for fellowships, grants, and contracts. Where appropriate, OSP also implements University policies pertaining to grant and contract-related research activities.
OSP works closely with the NIU Technology Transfer Office to ensure that inventions, discoveries, and materials developed under sponsored projects are in line with the University's Intellectual Property Policy .
To help monitor research involving human subjects, animals, or potentially hazardous materials, OSP works with the NIU Office of Research Compliance.
To assist faculty with the process of administering externally funded projects, OSP also works with the Office of Grants Fiscal Administration (GFA).