Pre-Award Grants Administrator I

Beth Israel Lahey Health; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Beth Israel Lahey Health seeks a Grants Administrator I-Pre-Award to handle pre-award activities for sponsored projects, including submission of grant and contract applications, budget development, and compliance. You will interpret FOAs/RFPs, coordinate proposal components, and support investigators and sponsors on routine pre-award matters.

The role requires 1–3 years of experience in research administration, strong written and verbal communication, and proficiency with sponsor submission

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 1-3 years of research administration experience required.
• Experience with computer systems required, including web- based applications and some Microsoft Office applications which may include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Access.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and supports overall grant proposal submission process, including budget development for new, non-competing, and competing submissions for an assigned grant portfolio. Prepares progress reports (RPPRs) and JITs.
• Advises PIs of grant policies, due dates for progress reports, and compliance requirements.
• Interprets funding announcements (FOAs, RFPs) and summarizes requirements for PIs.
• Collects and advises on administrative proposal components (biosketches, other support documents, letters of support).
• Assists investigators with entering proposals in electronic grant portals, ensuring institutional accuracy and sponsor compliance.
• Reviews budget guidelines ensuring that the budget is in compliance.
• Conducts initial compliance screening of proposals (budget and justification, page limits, formatting, indirect cost rates, cost share).
• Requests departmental documentation if voluntary or mandatory cost-share is required.
• Reviews proposal before routing to Signing Official.
• Maintains regular communication with assigned PIs regarding routine submissions and portfolio activities, escalating complex questions to senior staff.
• Serves as primary point of contact with sponsors for routine pre-award questions.
• Maintains advanced proficiency with sponsor submission systems (e.g., NIH ASSIST, Research.gov, Grants.gov, etc.) and trains PIs/staff in their effective use.
• Works within a team structure under the supervision of a Grant Team Lead or Manager.
• Participates in daily/weekly meetings to coordinate assignments and progress.
• Updates team trackers in real time to ensure accurate reporting for grant submissions.
• Provides early escalation of risks or delays to the Senior Grant Administrator, and to the Grant Team Lead/Advisor for redistribution of workload as necessary.
• Participates in team debriefs and continuous improvement discussions following major submissions or closeouts to support team-wide improvements.
• Provides support to team members during absences or periods of high workload.
• Participates in required cross-training on post-award duties to ensure working knowledge of the entire grant cycle.

Skills

Written English

Teamwork

Customer Service

Written Communications

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Web-based applications

Job description

Beth Israel Lahey Health seeks a Grants Administrator I-Pre-Award to handle pre-award activities for sponsored projects, including submission of grant and contract applications, budget development, and compliance. You will interpret FOAs/RFPs, coordinate proposal components, and support investigators and sponsors on routine pre-award matters.

The role requires 1–3 years of experience in research administration, strong written and verbal communication, and proficiency with sponsor submission