Office of Research Support (ORS)

Grants, Contracts, and Compliance

The Office of Research Support (ORS) serves as the central research administration office for all Duke University Campus Schools and University Interdisciplinary Centers. ORS is responsible for reviewing and submitting all proposals and reviewing, negotiating and setting up all grant awards and executed contracts. This includes federal and non-federal sponsors. ORS is also responsible for several non-financial functions such as no-cost extensions, changes in PI, rebudgets, etc. ORS is often the interface between sponsors and Duke and has signature authority to legally bind Duke to research, academic and educational agreements. ORS is charged with serving Duke research community and maintaining an environment that is compliant with federal policies and the research policies of Duke University.

Specific administrative functions include:

• Review and approve proposals to assure that they comply with both sponsor and Duke guidelines; that budgets are accurate and consistent, with clear and concise justifications; and that both direct and indirect costs are appropriately recovered
• Negotiate and accept grants and contracts on behalf of the University
• Issue subcontracts
• Serve as the principal liaison between the University and its sponsors
• Approve programmatic and budgetary changes to sponsored projects (including the establishment of new fund codes and extending existing codes)
• Report Financial Conflict of Interests to Federal sponsors
• Facilitate closeout documentation
• Coordinate with the Vice President for Research and the Research Policy Committee to develop and implement research policies and procedures