Office of Research Administration (ORA)

The Office of Research Administration (ORA) is a core administrative unit within the University of Miami research infrastructure, responsible for managing the full lifecycle of sponsored research, from pre-award proposal development to post-award financial oversight. We ensure compliance with federal regulations, facilitates efficient processes, and supports faculty and staff in advancing research goals. 

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ORA Leadership Team

The Office of Research Administration is made up of 80+ staff members, spread across 5 key functions (Pre-Award- Proposals, Contracts, Operations, Research Accounting & Cost Analysis and Post-Award).

Pre-Award

The Pre‑Award team supports research by managing proposal development and budget preparation, ensuring compliance with sponsor and institutional requirements. We collaborate closely with departments to develop and justify project costs and to prepare proposals for submission.

Contracts

The Contracts team oversees the negotiation and execution of research agreements, ensuring financial integrity and compliance with sponsor terms. Following contract approval, the team initiates award setup in IBISResearch to enable project activation and post‑award management.

Operations

The Operations Team, within the Office of Research Administration, manages intake, routing, and data coordination across research administration systems. The team supports faculty and staff across all campuses by facilitating IBISResearch submissions and ensuring efficient workflow coordination among functional areas.

Research Accounting & Cost Analysis

The Research Accounting and Cost Analysis team is responsible for effort reporting, sponsored programs finance, operational efficiency initiatives and service center oversight. 

Post-Award

The Post-Award team is responsible for the post-award administration of all sponsored projects. We set up new grant accounts, prepare financial reports to sponsors, and close out expired sponsored projects. We also provide guidance on post-award administration topics including allowability of cost on sponsored projects, effort certification, cost share, program income, and other compliance related topics.

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