Research Development

Description

Research Development Office (RDO) personnel distribute research opportunities, review proposals, negotiate research agreements, and administer projects. Once a project is in place, RDO monitors the contractual side of the project by (1) keeping the project accurately represented in the research agreement by preparing amendments and modifications as necessary and (2) documenting successful delivery of contract deliverables.

Expertise

RDO employs two student workers, three proposal coordinators, two research services administrators, and a manager. Personnel provide expertise in areas of deliverables documentation, proposal preparation, electronic proposal submission, human subjects protocol, subcontracting, contract terms and conditions, contract administration, intellectual property, prequalification, and location of research opportunities. RDO works cooperatively with researchers, the business office, the communications office, the TAMUS legal office, the TAMRF, and other TAMUS-related offices as needed to accomplish research agreements in accordance with TAMUS policy.

Services We Offer

RDO provides the following services:

• Review proposals for compliance with sponsor guidelines, TTI, TAMUS, state and federal policy. Sponsor guidelines may set a page limit, require matching, specify terms or request any number of specific criteria be addressed. TTI, TAMUS, the State of Texas and the federal government have policies for indirect costs, intellectual property, and other critical operations. RDO checks for compliance with all guidelines and policies and seeks resolution when there is conflict.
• Prepare research agreements for review by TAMUS attorney. RDO checks agreements for compliance with TTI and TAMUS policies and seeks resolution when there is conflict. Research agreements are then sent to the TAMUS attorney for review and approval, per system policy.
• Administer projects. Research agreements have obligations, from progress reports to equipment delivery. RDO documents the successful completion of obligations. When the course of research changes, RDO works with the sponsor to make corresponding changes to the agreement, so the obligations are appropriate to the course of research.

By providing a fairly high level of support, RDO reduces the number of hours researchers spend on proposals, contracting, deliverable documentation, and contract maintenance. Researchers have more time available for projects. Proposals and contracts have less risk of noncompliance with sponsor and institution policies.

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