Background 

In order to provide the research community with better coordinated service from Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) and Sponsored Projects Finance (SPF), we are introducing Version 1.0 of an easy-to-use web form called Sponsored Projects Assistance & Response Center (SPARC) that you can now use to submit pre-award and post-award inquiries to SPA and SPF.

SPARC captures information that will allow us to route, respond to and resolve your inquiry in a timely and efficient manner.  Upon submission, your inquiry will be routed to the appropriate SPA or SPF representative based on department and inquiry type.  SPARC will immediately provide you with an e-mail confirmation of receipt of your inquiry that includes a unique tracking number.  Our goal is to respond to your inquiry as quickly as possible.  Although we encourage you to use SPARC whenever possible, the web form is not intended to replace direct contact with your SPA Project Officer or recently assigned SPF Project Manager.

When to Contact SPA vs. SPF?

We encourage you to contact SPA/SPF by using the SPARC web form.  A representative will respond as soon as possible.  Here's a simple breakout of responsibilities between SPA and SPF:

• Proposal development and submissions: SPA

• Award set-up: SPA

• Award/account changes: SPA

• Sub-award set-up and modification: on such matters please contact Glenn Davis, Senior Contracts Officer who coordinates the sub award team within SPA

• Expense transactions issues, account reconciliations and account closing: SPF

• Financial compliance: SPF