Please complete the following services request form and someone will be in touch to discuss your project and support needs.
Project management services
A resource for Principal Investigators.
Our mission is to support the strategic visions of both the Research & Innovation division and the University by assisting Principle Investigators across campus.
The goal is to help achieve more organized and cohesive research efforts by allowing PIs and other key personnel to focus on their research by alleviating some of the administrative burden of grant management. Your project manager will work seamlessly with your coordinator, pre-award research administrator, grants and contracts officer and grant accountant. A project manager can join a project already in progress or at the beginning of the award period.
Research project management webinar
This webinar recording provides an overview of basic project management tools that any PI or team can implement to assist with planning and executing project deliverables. The video will also cover how a project management mindset can help in the proposal and implementation processes and how a project manager can assist your team.
What is a project manager?
In general terms, a project manager is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the completion of a specific project while ensuring the project is completed on time, within budget and within scope. In the context of grant-funded research at the University, the project manager will support the Principal Investigator (PI) in their research efforts by administering the many logistical aspects of the award to assist with timeline or budget amendments, adherence to deadlines, progress reports, etc.
What can a project manager do for you?
We will assist with:
- Drafting project management or risk management plans for proposals
- Strategic planning
- Project plan drafting and updating
- Coordinating with subawardees
- Meeting coordination, facilitation and agenda drafting
- Scope of work and budget amendments to be submitted to the sponsor
- Annual reporting to the sponsor
- General issue and best practice research and resolution
- Timeline, milestone and deliverable tracking
- Liaising between the project team and the sponsor
A project manager is not:
- A researcher
- The Principal Investigator
- An administrative assistant
What to expect when a project manager is supporting your award
The project manager will review the award documents to familiarize themselves with the basics of the award.
Then, the project manager will meet with the PI to gain a more thorough understanding of the project, goals and current state of the research program.
The project manager and the PI will come to an understanding regarding the ongoing support that the project manager will provide. This support will vary depending on the specific goals and needs of each project. Project management support is an allowable direct cost on most awards.
Testimonials
"Our project manager developed a system for tracking deliverables, initiated more regular meetings to enhance communication, and met with me weekly to keep me on task (which I needed). I would recommend these services without reservation to any Principal Investigator of a large, complex project."
— Michael Taylor, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics
Department of Economics
College of Business
"Erica’s organization, attention to detail and persistence have been key to the success of our project. She anticipates needs and potential sticking points, always with a plan (or plans) of action."
— Brian Leany, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
"Thanks to the dedication of our project manager, the project team has been able to successfully execute all the required elements of the project."
— Gi W. Yun, Ph.D., Vail M. Pittman Associate Dean and Professor
Reynolds School of Journalism
"After a year working with the SFS team, I am happy to say Erica has become invaluable. Besides her great attitude and her organizational talent, we value her opinions highly: Erica has become integral to the positive outcome of the project."
— Nancy LaTourette, Lecturer; Deputy Director of the Cybersecurity Center
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
College of Engineering
Questions?
Please contact Erica Hall, project manager, Sponsored Projects.