About SPAR

Our Mission 

The services offered, staff qualifications, and associations with Academic Affairs make SPAR a complete resource for faculty, staff and administration seeking outside funding for research activities, community outreach and service programs. SPAR also performs contract/grant administration services for all awarded grants to ensure consistent compliance with all regulations regarding the performance of grants at an educational institution. It is our mission to grow, manage, and protect the SCSU sponsored programs profile and research enterprise. 

For a more detailed overview of the services SPAR offers, please also review the 2021 presentation about the top ten things faculty should know about the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research!

Our Vision 

From idea to archive, SPAR provides comprehensive support to the SCSU community across the complete life cycle of grants, contracts and sponsored projects funded by external sources. 

SPAR about us

What is a sponsored project?

A sponsored project is defined as an activity that is supported by an external entity for research, outreach programs, training, workshops or services with one or more of the following attributes:

  • The funding comes from a government source (federal, state, local or foreign), a foundation or a private business entity (for profit or not-for-profit) in the form of a contract or grant agreement. 
  • The sponsored project includes a scope of work or a set of specific aims to be completed during the period of performance, periodic and/or final technical or financial reports, funding restrictions or a requirement to return unspent funds to a sponsor, and/or deliverables as a condition of payment
  • The funding agreement includes terms and conditions related to publication of results, audit requirements and retention of records, intellectual property, equipment ownership, insurance/indemnification or warranty
  • The sponsored project includes the use of or may be subject to research compliance requirements in Human Subjects, Vertebrate Animals, Biohazards, or Export Controls