About OSPRA

Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Activities (OSPRA)

The OSPRA team provides UDM faculty with resources and services to enhance the competitiveness of proposals across all disciplines. Our services fall into one of four broad categories:

Regulatory compliance and grant administration
Finding funding for research
Assistance with proposal development and budget review
Training and resources to advance funding success

Proposal Development Services

OSPRA provides assistance with all aspects of developing a competitive proposal, from strategizing for proposal submission timing, finding a source of funding, and strategizing for resubmission through finalizing and strengthening the proposal documents.

We provide first-come, first-served proposal development services to help faculty:

Identify potential funding sources
Develop and strengthen proposals for projects of all disciplines
Provide support for large, complex, multidisciplinary proposals.
Proposal submission

How does OSPRA Support Sponsored Research?

Develop and Implement Strategies for Institutional Competitiveness:
- Create and execute strategies that enhance the competitiveness of the institution.
Faculty Partnerships and Alliances:
- Initiate and foster partnerships, networks, and alliances among faculty members within the institution and with funding agencies.
Faculty Support Services:
- Provide workshops, training sessions, program officer meetings, public relations communications, and administration of Faculty Research Awards.
Facilitation Services:
- Utilize various models, including Design Thinking and Strategic Doing, for culturally inclusive project planning.
Additional Support:
- Assist with logic models, graphics, formatting, and timelines.
Promoting Collaboration and Team Science:
- Enhance collaboration and teamwork among faculty members.

Research Development Advisory Council (ReDAC)
The Research Development Advisory Council (ReDAC) serves as a strategic advisory group that supports the advancement of research and scholarly activity across the university. Composed of faculty and staff from diverse disciplines, ReDAC under the leadership of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Activities (OSPRA), works to identify institutional research priorities, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhance the university’s competitiveness for external funding. The council also provides input on research development initiatives, training opportunities, policies, and serves as research and funding liaison in their respective areas.

About the OSPRA website

The purpose of the OSPRA website is to:

Comply with federal laws that require the University to make public its policies and procedures on funding activities, ethical research compliance, and reporting misconduct/misuse of funds.
Provide general guidance on the many aspects of the proposal development process and offer opportunities for training and assistance through CITI Program, workshops, Cayuse Sponsored Projects application, and more.
Inform users of funding sources available to support their programs, research and scholarly activities, and institutional information that is helpful for grant applications.
Acknowledge and celebrate the scholarly achievements, awards, and community service efforts of the University members through annual events and activities (Celebration of Scholarly Achievement and Community Engagement, McNichols UDMPU Faculty Research Awards and Scholarly Publications).

Get the Funding Conversation Started

Ann Serra, Director, OSPRA
serraam@udmercy.edu
(313) 993-1469

CAYUSE & CITI SUPPORT
Michele Favoretto
Assistant Director, OSPRA
favoremi@udmercy.edu
(313) 993-1428

ReDAC

(Research Development
Advisory Council)

Ann Serra, Chair
Aman McLeod
Arthur Ko
Eric Krukonis
Felicia Hartinger
Greg Grobis
Jennifer Hostetler
Jessica Gustke
Linda Slowik
Michele Favoretto
Noah Resnick
Pablo De Gracia
Patrick Meyer
Richard Hill
Sandra Wilson
Sarah James
Shuvra Das
Stacey Stevens

OSPRA Team

Ann Serra

OSPRA Director

Michele Favoretto

OSPRA Assistant Director

Linda Slowik, PhD

IRB, Chair

Dr. Rachelle Belanger

IACUC, Chair

Jessica Gustke

Post-Award Grants & Contracts Administrator

OSPRA Funding & Proposal Process

Learn about the OSPRA 5 phase proposal process, timelines, and support opportunities.

Working with OSPRA from project concept through award has significantly increased my awareness and understanding of the processes and UDM policies.

OSPRA Workshops

OSPRA offers a series of workshops throughout the academic year. Browse the workshop schedule and register today.

NEW Faculty Members

OSPRA Workshops offer the perfect opportunity to lean more about the sponsored research activities at UDM and gain an understanding of the process and policies. Register today.