U of I Partners
1. Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)
The OSP is dedicated to helping university employees and staff secure external funding for research, teaching and service projects that align with the university's mission. Key responsibilities include:
- Assisting with awards and grants, including managing subawards or subcontracts to third parties involved in the university’s projects.
- Overseeing federal agency awards and ensuring compliance with sponsor terms.
- Collaborating with the Office of Tribal Relations, Student Engagement and Research to ensure research terms and conditions that may affect Tribal partnerships are identified and communicated.
2. Office of Research Assurances (ORA)
The ORA supports research compliance by helping researchers navigate federal regulations and working closely with faculty-led compliance committees. Responsibilities include:
- Ensuring compliance for projects involving animals, human subjects, infectious materials and regulated substances like Select Agents and recombinant DNA.
- Coordinating with two main compliance committees that may engage with Tribes:
- **Institutional Review Board (IRB)**: Reviews and approves research involving human subjects, ensuring participant rights and federal regulation compliance.
- **Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)**: Oversees projects involving animals, promoting humane treatment and federal compliance.
3. Office of General Counsel (OGC)
The OGC provides legal representation and advice to the university on all matters related to university operations. Responsibilities include:
- Advising OSP, ORA and the Office of Tribal Relations, Student Engagement and Research on legal and policy concerns in research, teaching and outreach.
- Supporting the negotiation of agreements with Tribes, ensuring these agreements align with both legal standards and the university's goals for collaborative research, educational and outreach programs.
Each office plays a distinct role in supporting university activities, ensuring compliance and managing legal and regulatory aspects, particularly in projects involving Tribal collaboration.