Research Administration

Berkeley Regional Services (BRS) helps UC Berkeley Faculty and Principal Investigators (PIs) focus on their groundbreaking and world-class research efforts by providing customized administrative and management support for research proposals, grants, awards and contracts throughout the various steps in the life cycle: 

Image showing the seven stages in a Grant life cycle

Research Administrators (RAs) are master jugglers. They: 

  • develop and/or oversee research proposals, awards, and transactions in contract and grant management
  • maintain records in compliance with institutional and research-sponsored policies
  • manage grant, contract and award administrative work
  • act as liaisons between departments and work effectively with their external counterparts

Support Partners

RAs also collaborate with campus partners to administer financial and accounting services for sponsored awards:

Sponsored Projects Office (SPO)

SPO is responsible for reviewing and authorizing proposals for submissions. They are also responsible for interpreting, negotiating, and accepting contracts and grants for sponsored projects funded by federal and state agencies, foundations, and other public and private sources on behalf of the University. SPO and the Industry Alliances Office (IAO) also give departments approval to submit proposals directly to sponsors but only after they review them and when necessary/appropriate. Check out their website using the link above for more details. 

Contracts and Grants Accounting  (CGA)

CGA is primarily responsible for billing and cash collections within the full life of the sponsored project as well as award closeout. They also prepare and/or submit financial reports to the funding Sponsor, and appropriate UC organizational entities. They manage the internal Billings and Accounts Receivable system in UCOP's Financial Management System to assure data integrity. Check out their website using the link above for more details.