Grants Coordinator III

The University of Georgia; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 56,700 - 69,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits eligible

Job summary

The University of Georgia is seeking a professional staff member for grant proposal management within the College of Engineering. The successful applicant will work closely with faculty to navigate the complexities of grant applications, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and external guidelines.

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, with responsibilities including proposal development, budget preparation, and liaison with external funding agencies. Competitive salary starting at $63,000, with benefits eligibility.

Qualifications

• Five years of professional experience in grant management.
• Experience with grants support in an academic unit at a USG institution.
• Familiarity with major federal policies and guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Guide faculty through grant proposal processes.
• Review and interpret funding agency guidelines.
• Coordinate with Business Office post-award support.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Knowledge of grant submission procedures

Understanding of federal guidelines

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Electronic research administration systems

Job description

Position Summary

This highly responsible professional staff position works with College of Engineering faculty and the Office for Sponsored Programs on the submission and approval of external funding applications. The role involves developing, preparing, and reviewing proposals for external funding, submitting proposals within DLSA limits, and coordinating submissions outside DLSA limits with College of Engineering Grants Coordinators and/or SPA. The position will serve as a Decentralized Limited Signatory Authority (DLSA) and is expected to complete Phase‑2 DLSA certification within the first three months of employment. It serves as a resource to the College of Engineering and investigators in the administration of sponsored projects.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and five years of professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with grants support in an academic unit at a USG institution.
• Understanding of research administration roles and responsibilities at all levels for all university players, external sponsors, and project types.
• Experience in reading and understanding policies and guidelines.
• Familiarity with policies of major federal sponsors and federal guidelines.
• Experience in research administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Knowledge of procedures and policies for grant/contract proposal submission to a funding agency.
• Deep knowledge of sponsored program administration in a research university.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills with a customer service focus.
• Ability to work independently and resolve common problems.
• Knowledge of academic institutional policies and procedures regarding external funding.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with university personnel, state, federal agencies, and private organizations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Work under varying levels of supervision in a deadline‑oriented environment.
• Knowledge of electronic research administration systems.
• Decentralized Limited Submission Authority (DLSA) status typically attained within three months.
• Work independently in a deadline‑driven environment and maintain a positive work environment within a group.

Delegated Limited Submission Authority

Delegated Limited Submission Authority (DLSA) status is typically to be attained at this level within three months of employment. Research Terms and Conditions Certification (RTC) status through the Sponsored Projects Office should be attained after DLSA certification is achieved.

Responsibilities

Grant Proposal, Application, and Award Management (50%)

• Guide and assist College of Engineering faculty through the complex grant proposal and application processes, including preparation, review, and submission.
• Partner with faculty, staff, and graduate students in proposal development and submissions; support budgeting, cost share, formats, and compliance.
• Provide expertise on complex funding agency regulations.
• Review and interpret guidelines and policies, staying current on University, state, and federal policies and informing stakeholders of changes.
• Assist with entry of transmittal forms and proposal information into the UGA grants portal and other electronic research administration systems.
• Interpret funding agency policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Request pending awards to achieve seamless funding availability.
• Advise on PI eligibility exemption requests.
• Act as DLSA for Engineering, responsible for proposal submissions and interpreting RFAs.
• Ensure accuracy of proposals in the Grants Portal under DLSA review.
• Attend Research Administration Discussion Group (RADG) meetings and DLSA meetings upon certification.

Collaboration and Coordination with Business Office (20%)

• Coordinate with the CENGR Business Office to hand off grants administration and grants accounting post‑award, including modification entry, terms and conditions verification, and consultation with SPA.
• Provide limited post‑award support: no‑cost extensions, award modification requests, subaward contract negotiations, and related items not involving financial expenditures.
• Partner with the CENGR Business Office for effort planning for faculty.

Budget Development (15%)

• Collaborate with Grants colleagues, faculty, and the Business Office on budget preparation and review.
• Ensure budget accuracy and compliance with UGA and federal policies for salary, fringe benefits, indirect costs, travel, and other components.
• Provide guidance on cost share and prepare cost share commitment letters for approved cost share.

Liaison for Sponsored Projects (10%)

• Act as a liaison among PIs, OSP, and the College of Engineering to facilitate award and budgetary processes.
• Coordinate with the Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) office in proposal and award administration.
• Ensure proposals over the DLSA limit are submitted by SPA.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Contribute to the success of the grants process within the College of Engineering.
• Participate in staff meetings/trainings for the College of Engineering and complete mandatory UGA/USG trainings.
• Participate in meetings with the Dean, Associate Dean of Research, and others as needed.
• Assist the Engineering Associate Dean of Research with reporting data as requested.
• Perform other duties that contribute to the success of the CENGR Grants efforts.

Additional Information

Department: ENGR‑Research & Grad Studies

Additional Schedule Information: Monday – Friday, standard university hours of 8 am‑5 pm.

Benefits Eligible.

Salary: $63,000+ based on experience.

Proposed Starting Date: 07/01/2026.

Physical Demands: standard for an office environment.

Is driving a responsibility of this position? No.

Is this a Position of Trust? Yes.

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? Yes.

Does this position have a P‑Card? No. Is having a P‑Card an essential function of this position? No.

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail]).

Contact Details

Recruitment Contact: Dr. Ramasamy, Professor and Sr. Associate Dean

Email: [e-mail]