Administrative Functions

Our primary mission is to assist the research staff at the VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) to obtain and successfully accomplish sponsored research, and to insure that the VMRF and sponsoring agency's policies are carried out efficiently and effectively.

 

A. Grant Proposal Preparation

 

The Contracts and Grants Office will assist Principal investigators and their staff in proposal preparation in the following:

 

1. Review proposals for adherence to VMRF and agency policy and procedures; ensure that proposal is complete for submission in a timely manner in accordance with Grant Applications and Submission Deadline.

 

2. Coordinate the review of proposals and contractual documents requiring approval by any one or all of the following:

 

• VA Research and Development Committee
• VA Education Committee
• VA Independent Review Committee
• Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects.
• Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
• VMRF Board of Directors (according to established policy)
• Radioisotope Committee
• Biohazard Committee

B. Clinical Trial Negotiation

The Contracts and Grants Office interacts with pharmaceutical companies when a clinical trial agreement is pending, ensuring correct language and terms are present before a final agreement is executed.

 

C. Award Acceptance and/or Extension

 

1. Acceptance of grants and execute contracts or modifications, signifying commitment on behalf of VMRF for performance of the project, in accordance with delegated authority by the VMRF Chief Executive Officer.

 

2. Upon acceptance or execution, advise investigators on the actions necessary to meet commitments under the terms of the project.

 

D. Post Award Administration

 

1. Coordinate the obtaining of prior approvals for action required by contract or grant terms and conditions; assure on behalf of VMRF that the terms and conditions of the project are carried out.

 

2. Monitor and coordinate, as appropriate, the preparation and submission of required reports, issuing reminders of report due dates and other deliverables.

 

3. Ensure that terminated contracts and grants are complete and all required reporting or other closing documents have been submitted to the reporting agency.

E. Policy

 

1. Formulate and administer policies and procedures to comply with agency and VMRF regulations.

 

2. Interpret for Principal Investigators agency and VMRF policies applicable to specific contracts and grants.

 

3. Interact with the sponsoring agencies, representing VMRF in negotiations for the establishment of optimum consistency in contract and grant provisions and policies; resolve problems and settle disputes between the VMRF and sponsoring agencies relating to contract and grant administration.