Grants Administrator (Research Programs Specialist) - Office of Research & Sponsored Programs

The City University of New York; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center seeks a Research Programs Specialist to support pre/post award administration and grant processes. You will liaise with the Research Foundation, prepare reports, and coordinate training workshops for PIs to identify funding opportunities.

Successful candidates will have a Bachelor's degree, 4+ years of related experience, and strong skills in Excel, Word, and Access, with excellent written and oral communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and four years' related experience required.
• Experience in grants, business administration, database creation, and familiarity with RF policies.
• Strong computer skills: Microsoft Excel, Word and Access.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the pre and post award administration of sponsored research programs.
• Review RF award accounts/web reports to ensure accuracy, transmit checks and handle RF account setup.
• Serve as a liaison between GC PIs and the RF.
• Plan, coordinate, design, and implement workshops to train PIs on grant opportunities and guidelines.
• Collect data, track applications and awards, and create reports for internal and external use.
• Maintain ORSP website and create student-focused posts for ORSP Facebook and CUNY Academic Commons sites.
• Monitor funding announcements and coordinate information in reports and distributions to relevant parties.
• Plan and coordinate orientation sessions for award recipients on RF policies, procedures, and forms.
• Support general ORSP functions including NSF surveys and transmittal of grant checks.
• Assist with data gathering for internal and external reporting.

Skills

Grants administration

Database management

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree and 4 years experience

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Access

Job description

POSITION DETAILS

The CUNY Graduate Center, a Carnegie R1 institution, is the focal point for advanced teaching and research at The City University of New York (CUNY), the nation's largest urban public university. With over 45 doctoral and master’s programs of the highest caliber, the Graduate Center fosters pioneering research and scholarship in the arts and sciences and prepares students for careers in universities and the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. The Graduate Center’s commitment to research and scholarship for the public good is exemplified by its more than 30 centers, institutes, and initiatives, including its Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), a 200,000 square-foot facility in upper Manhattan, designed to promote collaboration among scientists in five areas of global research and innovation: nanoscience, photonics, structural biology, neuroscience, and environmental sciences. The Graduate Center (GC) benefits from highly ambitious and diverse students and alumni—who in turn teach hundreds of thousands of undergraduates every year. Through its public programs, the Graduate Center enhances New York City’s intellectual and cultural life. The Office Of Research And Sponsored Programs (ORSP) Is The Graduate Center’s Central Administrative Unit For Overseeing GC-CUNY Applications For, And Awards Of, Governmental And Foundation Funding. The Office Handles Proposal Preparation, Submission, And Administration For The Entire GC Community Including Faculty, Students And Staff, Research Centers And Institutes. Operating Under The Guidance Of The Provost's Office, The ORSP Offers The Following Services

• Assistance identifying appropriate funding opportunities.
• Project development guidance.
• Official institutional review, authorization and submission of proposals.
• Liaison for post-award administration in conjunction with the Research Foundation.
• Coordination with relevant GC-CUNY departments to ensure compliance with GC and sponsor’s requirements and regulations.

The Grants Administrator will report to the Director of Sponsored Research. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Assists in the pre and post award administration of sponsored research programs.
• Reviews CUNY Research Foundation (RF) award accounts/web reports to ensure accuracy, transmits checks and handles RF account set-up.
• Serves as a liaison between GC Principal Investigators (PIs) and the RF.
• Plans, coordinates, designs, and implements workshops to train PIs to find grant opportunities, interpret grant guidelines, and prepare preliminary materials for grant submission.
• Collects data, tracks applications and awards, for internal and external funding, through regular communication with academic departments, Provost’s Office, centers and institutes, and creates and disseminates reports to them; manages database of grant applications and awards in Microsoft Access and Excel.
• Maintains ORSP website and creates student focused posts for ORSP Facebook and CUNY Academic Commons sites.
• Monitors funding announcements, identifies funding sources and coordinates information in reports and announcements for distribution to relevant parties through email, social media, and workshops.
• Plans, designs and coordinates orientation sessions for award recipients on how to interface with the RF (policies, procedures, forms, etc.).
• Researches and secures information on funding opportunities, collaborates in defining and implementing project funding strategies.
• Works with project leads to maintain necessary project and financial documentation to ensure fiscal integrity for grants.
• Works with program leads to ensure timely submission of narrative and financial reporting to funders.
• Serves as a resource for GC faculty and students on grants - providing information, research, analysis, and recommendations as needed.
• Assists with general ORSP functions such as preparing annual NSF surveys and transmittal of grant checks (to the RF), and gathering additional data for internal and external reporting as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

All full-time and part-time CUNY staff are expected to work in-person 80% of their work time. This hybrid work schedule is subject to change.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and four years' related experience required.

A Preferred Candidate Should Have

• Experience in grants, business administration, database creation, and a familiarity with the policies and procedures of the Research Foundation (RF) of CUNY.
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Excel, Word and Access).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to meet tight deadlines.

Cuny Title Overview

Assists in the administration of College research programs.

• Organizes and manages the requirements of existing funded projects and prepares preliminary materials for grant submission
• Collects information for, and assists in preparing reports, manuscripts for publication, newsletters, web sites, and other communications
• Plans, designs and coordinates interdisciplinary information and research planning sessions and professional development activities for faculty and staff
• May oversee one or more facilities, participating in budgeting, planning, and monitoring, and assuring availability of needed tools and equipment
• Serves as a consultant and resource to faculty and staff on planning and administering research projects
• Performs related activities as assigned.

Job Title Name: Research Programs Specialist

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Assistant

FLSA

Exempt

Compensation And Benefits

$70,756 - $89,777/year. Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship will not be offered for this position.

CLOSING DATE

Open until filled with review of applications to begin on November 9, 2026

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID: 32888

Location: Graduate Center

Job Type: Full-Time