Research Resources
Support for grants from initial concept through final closeout. The Pre-Award team guides proposals through development, internal review, and submission, while the Post-Award team manages financial oversight, compliance, reporting, and closeout once funding is awarded.
Our office provides pre-award and post-award support for the compliant administration of externally sponsored grants, contracts, and agreements.
News and Updates
New Grants Calendars August 18, 2026
August 2026 RESEARCH TEAM MONTHLY UPDATE August 13, 2026 - Updates Staffing Updates New CELS Research Administration Website Monthly Research Administration Updates PRE-AWARD Proposal Development & Submission POST AWARD Budget & Award Management Closeout & Project End Dates Invoices & Subawards
How a grant moves through our office
Tools & resources
Suraj Pillai Oversees Pre- & Post-Award
Pre-Award – Jane Karako · Position vacant
Handles anything that needs to go through InfoEd, and orients faculty new to the proposal process.
New proposal? Complete the Pre-Award Form to kick off the process. OSP requires a minimum of 5 business days before your submission deadline. (refer to the proposal timeline calculator)
Jane Karako
- Proposal development and InfoEd routing
- Budget development and sponsor-required proposal documents
- Proposal renewals, resubmissions, revisions, supplements, and letters of intent
- Internal proposal review and compliance with University and sponsor requirements
- Coordination with the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP)
- Guidance on proposal timelines, approvals, and submission requirements
Second Pre-Award position currently vacant
Until filled, route Pre-Award questions to Jane Karako or to Suraj Pillai, Business Manager of Research Operations.
Post-Award – Afsaneh Williston · Melissa Russell · Toni Carreiro Fogleman
Manages the administrative and financial side once an award is in hand.
Toni Carreiro Fogleman
Awards & Compliance/ CELS Department InfoEd Approver
- Ocean Nexus research administration and support
- Cost share and matching funds guidance
- CELS Department InfoEd Proposal Approver
- Review of CELS proposals for compliance and institutional requirements
- Specialized post-award guidance for complex award administration and compliance issues
Melissa Russell
Grant Administration & Subawards
- Subaward invoices and purchase orders (POs)
- Subaward amendments and modifications
- Award Setup (assistance with sig auth. etc)
- Dean’s Pledges
- Budget Revision Requests (BRRs)
- New award spending and financial monitoring
- T32 grant financial administration
- Financial projections and forecasting
Afsaneh Williston
Award Management & Closeout
- Budget Revision Requests (BRRs)
- Financial projections and spending forecasts
- Grant closeout and award completion
- Expenditure and encumbrance questions
- New award spending and financial monitoring
- Financial reporting and budget analysis
- Unobligated balance reports
- General financial management of sponsored projects
Frequently asked questions
Details
OSP’s policy requires at least 5 business days before the sponsor’s submission deadline. Earlier is strongly encouraged for proposals with subawards, cost share, or multiple collaborating institutions.
Who do I contact if I don’t know whether my project needs Pre-Award or Post-Award?
Reach out to Suraj Pillai, Business Manager of Research Operations to route you to the right person based on where your project is in the lifecycle.
Where do I find the current Facilities & Administrative (F&A) rate?
See the F&A Rate Agreement link under Budget & Compliance in the resources library above.
Does everything need to route through InfoEd?
Anything with sponsor deliverables, a detailed budget, or that requires an authorized institutional signature must route through InfoEd before it goes to the sponsor. When in doubt, ask Pre-Award.