Office of Research Administration
Our Mission
The Office of Research Administration is a support unit for the institution鈥檚 research enterprise. We partner with stakeholders to provide educational and administrative services across the research lifecycle through expert guidance, dedicated service, collaborative partnership, and a commitment to transparency, integrity, and compliance.
Our Vision
OUR SERVICES
We're here to help locate funding opportunities, develop fundable research programs, and prepare and submit grant proposals. Have an idea? This is a good place to start.
We assist with award set-up, award closeout, and everything in between, during the life-cycle of a project.
We provide ethical oversight that follows all regulatory requirements applicable to human subjects, animals, and export controls.
We offer educational opportunities, practical support resources, faculty internal funding programs, and comprehensive student research support.
- Faculty Internal Funding Programs (PSDA) & (FaRM)
Discover Internal Funding Support Opportunities.
Provost Scholarship Development Awards (PSDA) provide seed funding for research and scholarship development.
Faculty Research Mentoring Program (FaRM) incentivizes faculty collegiality and mentorship. - Student Research
Western Carolina engages students and faculty from across all disciplines and all levels of study to solve real-world problems, generate new knowledge, add to the quality of life, and be a regionally and nationally engaged partner. - Research & Scholarly Support for Faculty and Staff
A comprehensive resource for research and scholarly activities. The site highlights funding opportunities, news stories, and access to educational programs.
Our Policies
establishes the standards for determining which costs are allowable on sponsored projects under federal, sponsor, and university requirements.
establishes the rules for compensating faculty and staff for effort on sponsored projects, including limits on academic鈥憏ear pay, conditions for summer and supplemental compensation, and compliance with federal Uniform Guidance and university requirements.
establishes the requirement that principal investigators and key personnel commit a minimum level of effort to sponsored projects鈥攇enerally at least 1%鈥攗nless sponsor guidelines explicitly permit zero effort.
defines who is eligible to serve as principal investigator or key personnel on sponsored projects, based on employment status, qualifications, institutional approvals, and compliance with federal, sponsor, and university requirements.
establishes when and how pre鈥憄roposals for sponsored projects must be internally routed and approved to manage limited submissions, authorize institutional commitments, and ensure compliance with university requirements.
outlines the requirements and procedures for the timely and compliant closeout of sponsored projects, including financial reconciliation, reporting, and fulfillment of federal, sponsor, and university obligations.
defines how unexpended residual funds from fixed鈥憄rice sponsored projects are reviewed, allocated, and restricted in use to ensure compliance with federal guidance and university requirements.