Professor sitting in his office.

Research Project Administration Guide

The SJSU Research Foundation Project Administration Guide provides an overview of Research Foundation services, outlines general requirements and responsibilities, and provides principal investigators and their staff with the critical information and tools needed to locate funding, develop and submit proposals, and successfully manage their externally funded projects and programs.

Printable Guide [PDF]

Getting Started

Principal Investigator Eligibility

Learn about qualifying for and becoming a Principal Investigator.

Qualifying as a PI

Sponsored Programs

Sponsored programs are projects or activities that are funded by an external organization such as a federal, state, county, or city organization.

Elements of a sponsored program

Self-Support Programs

Self-Support programs include a broad range of education-related activities that are non-state-funded, not for academic credit, and are directed by SJSU faculty, administrators or Research Foundation management.

Examples of self-support activities

Project Life Cycle

Many things happen behind the scenes before, during, and after a research endeavor. Each of these milestones brings you one step closer to closing a successful project.

Finding Funding

Searching for funding is a multifaceted, collaborative effort. OSP provides resource & support to make your search successful.

Developing & Submitting Proposals

OSP is here to partner with investigators to ensure that the proposal meets all federal, state, university guidelines and other requirements.

Award Negotiation & Setup

OSP managers assist principal investigators with administrative & financial details of their projects & contracts pre- and post-award.

Managing the Project

The PI and the OSP manager work together to manage everything from hiring research project staff to expenditures oversight to required reporting.

Visual representation of the complete research project lifecycle.

Closing Out Projects - the Final Stage

OSP managers support Principal Investigators through producing the final reports and deliverables required by the the University and funding agencies.

Learn more about the end of the research project life cycle.