April 15, 2008

Update: Pre-Award Design Task Force

The Task Force held its final meeting on April 11.

The team has finished the first draft of its recommendations for the pre-award process and is in the midst of developing a second draft. These drafts are being reviewed and edited through email communications. It is anticipated that a final draft will be agreed upon before the end of the month.

Additionally, the team has developed draft service expectations for the various departments, staff and personnel who are integral to the success of the grant process, from the initial sourcing of a funding source through the final report and closure of the grant project.

The team, throughout the course of its pre-award discussions, has been clearly aware of the need to ensure that pre-award activities are seamlessly integrated into post-award tasks. Indeed, the line of demarcation between the two is fuzzy. In consideration of this critical need, the team is also preparing a list of concerns, issues, considerations and points of recommendation with respect to the post-award activities.

Task force members will be finalizing their report during the remainder of April, and I expect a final report the first of May. At that time, I will review the recommendations with the Provost's Cabinet and the Acting Dean and Vice Provost for Research, Deanne Snavely. Following that consultation, plans for implementation will be developed and shared with the University community.

The members of the Task Force have contributed many hours of consultation and writing to the process. Judith Fowler has done an excellent job of facilitating our work. I appreciate the contributions of everyone to this important work and look forward to sharing their recommendations with you.

Shirley L. Baugher
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

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