Survey Question 1

OSP is evaluating several methods of organization pertaining to the proposal preparation, review and submission process handled by the Sponsored Programs Administrators (SPAs). Some methods under consideration are 1) Team based; 2) Alphabetical; 3) College; 4) Round Robin.  Please indicate which method(s) you think would be effective for proposal processing during times of high demand.

Comments Received:

• I can't tell which SPA is bored and which is overloaded, but certainly load-sharing would be efficient.
• By college with a backup SPA. I prefer the same person to develop a relationship and communication when a new SPA is assigned or someone new comes on for pre/post award.

• Whatever is chosen, I beg you NOT to focus on colleges. Focus on kinds of research. That way people with similar interests get to know each other and help each other find funding or co-workers.

• A combination of Team-based and agency (type) specific expertise (eg NSF, NIH, USDA, State, etc.).

• By college as preference, with a backup person specified keeping flexibility of due dates in mind.

• I prefer to work with the same SPA (with a backup SPA) as much as possible. I understand that when the workload is heavy I might be assigned a different SPA which is not a big problem.

• By category of submitted proposal so maybe by college then makes the most sense; TRIO for example is submitting a round of proposals every few years and it seems important to have one main contact who understands that particular system and issues with submittal; a backup would be a good idea for each staff.

• I'd match up the main & backup SPAs with high grant activity colleges and those with little grant activity.

• Is team based - selected based on discipline?

• Team-Based but organized by funding agency or college to cultivate knowledge base of submitting those proposals.

• Not sure which is most efficient, so stay with current method.