Overview of Research Grant and Contract Services (RGCS) and CREAIT, CRC and CFI Services (CCCS)

Dec 9th, 2013

Office of the Vice-President (Research)

Overview of Research Grant and Contract Services (RGCS) and CREAIT, CRC and CFI Services (CCCS)

The Offices of Collaborations and Partnerships and Research Services have been reorganized to better meet the needs of the Memorial University community.

As part of an overall review of research grant and contract support services, the Board of Regents approved the dissolution of ORS and OCP and the creation of two new units, Research Grant and Contract Services (RGSC) and CREAIT, CRC and CFI Services (CCCS).

Research Grant and Contract Services (RGCS) will perform pre- and post-award administration in a “one-stop shop” approach. The pre-award component focuses on the review and approval of research grants and contracts, while the post-award component provides project management and administrative support for large scale research programs.  David Miller, the director of RGCS, will also oversee the operational and financial administration of Major Research Partnerships (MRP) as well as serve as the liaison with the Interdisciplinary Committee on Ethics in Human Research (ICEHR Office).

The CREAIT, CRC and CFI Services (CCCS) will oversee all aspects of the Canada Research Chairs Program (CRC), the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and Memorial’s CREAIT Network. Under the leadership of Dr. Marlies Rise, further changes will be implemented in respect to CREAIT with the intent to improve the customer service environment by giving academic unit partners greater involvement in its daily operation and management.

No positions were lost as a part of this reorganization. A progressive transition to this new system will begin on Dec. 16. While there may be some slowdowns associated with the changeover, there will be no work stoppages.

More details on the new units will be shared online in the near future.

The board approved the 13 recommendations for improving research grant and contract support services, including streamlining and simplifying processes, empowering academic units on all campuses and providing a superior customer service experience wherever possible. These recommendations will be implemented throughout the next 12 months.