Pre-Award Grants Specialist

Beth Israel Lahey Health; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 66,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Beth Israel Lahey Health is seeking a Grants Administrator II-Pre-Award to manage pre-award activities for sponsored projects, including preparation of budgets, timelines, and sponsor compliance. You will advise investigators on grant policies, interpret FOAs and RFPs, assemble required documents, submit proposals in electronic portals, and coordinate with the team to ensure accurate, timely submissions.

This position emphasizes collaboration with PIs and sponsors and requires attention to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 3-5 years of research administration experience required.
• Experience with computer systems including web-based applications and Microsoft Office (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 (bio sketches, 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.
• Advises on regulatory compliance components of proposals (human/animal protocols, COI, data management).
• Independently prepares and reviews proposals in their final stage prior to delegated submission within sponsor systems by the Grant Manager/Advisor or designated authority.

Skills

Grant admin

Research admin

Budget development

Compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Beth Israel Lahey Health is seeking a Grants Administrator II-Pre-Award to manage pre-award activities for sponsored projects, including preparation of budgets, timelines, and sponsor compliance. You will advise investigators on grant policies, interpret FOAs and RFPs, assemble required documents, submit proposals in electronic portals, and coordinate with the team to ensure accurate, timely submissions.

This position emphasizes collaboration with PIs and sponsors and requires attention to