Office for Sponsored Programs

Advancing Harvard’s mission through excellence in research administration

The Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) partners with schools, departments, and centers across the University to facilitate proposal submission, award acceptance and administration, and all sponsored financial invoicing and reporting throughout the life of the award.

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From our Blog

The latest updates on policies, guidance, and training materials for Harvard's research administrators.

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Announcing New NIH International Collaborative Project Resources
In September 2025, the NIH released NOT-OD-25-155 establishing a new process for proposals and awards that include NIH-funded international collaborations. Currently, all competing applications that involve an NIH-funded international collaborator must...

New Self-Paced Course: Harvard’s Capital Equipment Policy
Dear Research Administrators, A new training course, Harvard’s Capital Equipment Policy (University-wide), is now available. This self-paced course provides an overview of Harvard's Capital Equipment Policy for all staff involved in sponsored research...

NIH Update: $25K Subaward Threshold and Required Adjustments 
NIH has issued Notice NOT-OD-26-072, which rescinds prior notices and advises that the $25,000 Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) threshold for outgoing subawards remains in effect. The previously communicated $50,000 MTDC threshold no longer applies to...

Policies and Guidance

OSP policies and guidance apply to all areas of the lifecycle of sponsored awards. For updates and an in-depth look at new policies follow the OSP Blog.

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The Award Lifecycle

Teams within our office are organized to manage proposals from the beginning, or 'pre-award,' stage of a project through the termination, or closeout, of an award.

 

More about the Award Lifecycle

Preparing a Proposal

A well-written and skillfully prepared proposal is crucial to the success of an application for research funding.

Setting up an Award

Steps must be taken to set up accounts or authorize pre-award spending before spending begins.

Managing an Award

Ensure compliance while maintaining public trust in research results and outcomes.

Closing out an Award

Timely closeout of sponsored awards is essential to Harvard's compliance with sponsor requirements and University policies.

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Institutional Information

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Resources & Information

OSP has gathered resources from a variety of sources, both internal and external, to aide in the management of sponsored programs across the lifecycle.

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