Enhancing coordination and access to research support services
Office of Research and Partnerships and the University of Arizona Health Sciences
To better support faculty, streamline research administration and increase ease of access to services, the University of Arizona Office of Research and Partnerships together with Health Sciences is implementing a structural realignment of certain Health Sciences research support teams. This effort is designed to enhance coordination across offices while maintaining the same high level of service, starting June 23.
What’s happening with research support
- The Health Sciences Proposal Development (Pre-Award) team and a portion of the Contracting team will transition to the Office of Research and Partnerships. These teams will continue to fully support Health Sciences colleges and centers.
- Support for clinical contracts and clinical trial functions—including coverage analysis, budgeting, regulatory support, and post-award services—will remain within Health Sciences.
- Non-clinical, non-Banner-related contracts involving Health Sciences faculty will now be managed by the Office of Research Contracts.
Roles and responsibilities
To clarify where faculty should go for support, here’s a breakdown of responsibilities across the contracting offices:
- Office of Research Contracts
Manages research-related contracts, including grants, sponsored research agreements, non-clinical, non-Banner collaborations and outgoing subawards for all campus departments. - Health Sciences Research Administration
Oversees clinical research agreements, particularly those involving Banner Health facilities, data or materials.
The Office of Procurement and Contracting Services continues to handle purchases and outgoing funding, including vendor agreements, and is not involved in this transition.
What this means for faculty members
- Pre-Award Support: Continue working with your assigned Research Administrators.
- Contracting: Continue working with your current contract negotiator unless you're notified otherwise.
We are committed to making this a seamless transition with an even greater emphasis on efficient, consistent service.
If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to:
- Proposal Support: Rachel Rice – rachelrice@arizona.edu
- Contract Support: Melissa Riha – mriha@arizona.edu
- Clinical Contract Support: Elisha Johnson – elishajohnson@arizona.edu
- General Inquiries: Dr. Sangita Judge – sangita@arizona.edu