Grant and Contract Administrator

University of Minnesota; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 41,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Paid holidays

Professional training

Tuition benefit

Retirement plans

Job summary

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) is seeking a Grant and Contract Administrator (GA) to act as a central expert for sponsored projects, providing guidance to Principal Investigators and departmental staff to ensure the successful administration of extramural grants and contracts. This grant-funded, in-person role has an anticipated end date of February 2031.

Regular, full-time civil service staff, with review of complex guidelines, collaboration with regional colleges, and ongoing

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree with 2+ years of experience, or 6 years combined education and experience.
• Experience with sponsored projects and grants administration (academic setting preferred).
• Strong problem-solving and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Review guidelines and manage submissions in funder platforms; assist budget development.
• Coordinate document collection and contribute to non-technical proposal sections.
• Negotiate terms for incoming awards and subawards while ensuring policy compliance.
• Manage subawards, monitor compliance, and perform risk analysis.
• Engage in professional development and regional college collaboration to stay current on regulations.

Skills

EFS knowledge

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

BA/BS degree or equivalent

Job description

About the Job

This is a grant-funded position with an anticipated end date of February 2031. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of funding and satisfactory performance, with the potential for extension if additional funding is secured.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Priority Deadline Note: The application review will begin on August 12, 2026.

Work Environment: In Person

The Grant and Contract Administrator (GA) acts as a central expert for sponsored projects, providing critical support for the University's research mission. You will provide professional guidance to Principal Investigators (PIs) and departmental staff to ensure the successful administration of extramural grants and contracts.

Location: Duluth

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Job Code: 8222SP

Employee Class: Civil Service

Primary Responsibilities

Proposal Lifecycle & Submission (35%):

Review complex agency guidelines (RFPs/BAAs) and manage submissions through funder-specific platforms. Support budget development in collaboration with team members and relevant units. Compliance checking, and final submission.

Research Development & Project Management (25%):

Coordinate document collection (biosketches, letters, etc.). Write and/or contribute to non-technical proposal sections, including project management plans, broader impacts, evaluation metrics, and team structure descriptions.

Awards & Negotiations (20%):

Negotiate terms and conditions for incoming awards and subawards; ensure adherence to University policies while maintaining positive sponsor relationships.

Subawards (10%):

Manage relationships with collaborators and external partners Issue and monitor subawards, ensuring proper flow-down of prime award terms and compliance with safety and ethical regulations. Conduct risk analysis.

Collaboration with Regional College and Training (10%):

Participate in professional development, regional college collaboration initiatives, and committee work to stay current on federal and institutional regulations.

Qualifications

Required:

• BA/BS degree plus two years of experience, or a combination of education and experience totaling six years.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of EFS, experience in an academic setting, and strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $29.63 - $29.83 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.