About Us

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) manages all functions related to sponsored programs at Montana State University or any activity, research or otherwise, that is funded by an external source such as a federal, state, or private organization.

The staff of OSP, comprised of professional Research Administrators, takes a comprehensive managerial approach and engages in the award life cycle from proposal submission to the close-out of a grant or award.

In fiscal year 2023, OSP opened 524 new grants and provided oversight for MSU's $230 million in research expenditures.

The OSP staff assumes all financial, reporting, compliance, auditing and related tasks in a proactive spirit that alleviates the administrative workload for researchers so that they may focus on what matters most, their research agenda. The organization of OSP breaks down as shown below.

Which Research Administrator manages your grant

Office of Sponsored Programs Leadership

Sandy Sward

Associate Vice President for Research Administration

Email: ssward@montana.edu

(406)994-5318

Dale Huls

Director of Office of Sponsored Programs

Email: dalehuls@montana.edu

(406)994-1980

Peggy Kastella

Assistant Director of Office of Sponsored Programs

Email: peggy.kastella@montana.edu

(406)994-5731

Fiscal Management and Post-Award Services

Research Administrators are available to help in the management of awards, specifically, PIs can expect to receive assistance with the following:

Submitting proposal
Setting up a grant account
Clarifying fiscal and managerial responsibilities of PI's
Managing expenditures including invoicing and reporting
Questions about your grant funded project
Transferring a grant to/from other institutions
Successfully closing out a grant

Research Administrators perform a wide range of grant administration responsibilities. Each Research Administrator typically has an assigned portfolio of departmental clients as well as a specific area of agency expertise. Research Administrators primarily provide post-award services but also assist PIs on proposals.