The UMBC Faculty Handbook states, “In order for a faculty member to qualify for Fellowship Leave, the fellowship or grant proposal must have been submitted through the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) Administration even if the proposal does not require an institutional signature. This will allow the office to record the fact that such a proposal has been submitted and to record also if and when an award is made.” - (Section 11.1.2: UMBC Faculty Handbook). 

This section of the UMBC Faculty Handbook has created confusion since OSP does not track fellowships that are not payable to the institution.  This is consistent with how our sister USM institutions handle such fellowships.  OSP does not review awards that are thus made to the individual.

We therefore encourage, where possible, that fellowships should be made payable to the institution. Pursuing this method with fellowships ensures compliance with any terms and conditions of the sponsor and allows for tracking through OSP, Kuali, and the Office of Contract and Grant Accounting. 

Please note that any fellowship payable to the institution must be submitted to OSP at the proposal stage through Kuali.  Fellowships payable to the individual should not be routed through OSP nor provided to OSP.

The Office of the Vice President of Research has requested the language in section 11.1.2 of the UMBC Faculty Handbook be clarified.

We are very pleased to formally announce that Rebecca O’Brien has been selected as the new Assistant Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs.  Rebecca, who was previously employed by both Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland, College Park, joined the UMBC Office of Sponsored Programs as a Grants and Contracts Manager in October 2017. 

Rebecca provides almost 15 years of experience in Research Administration to the AD position. She is a graduate of St. Mary's College, has a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from College Park, and has earned a Graduate Certificate in Research Administration from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.  Notably, she has also received/earned the Certified Research Administrator (CRA) designation.

Rebecca has provided integral expertise to OSP's Kuali implementation and training efforts throughout these past few years, as well as coordinating several special OSP projects and assignments.  Her invaluable experience and knowledge will be most welcomed in her new position as OSP Assistant Director.