Administrative or Accounting/Financial Internship in Grant/Contract Administration

The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) provides assistance to Smithsonian staff who are seeking or have obtained external funding for sponsored project(s). A “sponsored project” is a research, education, exhibit, training or other activity that receives partial or full funding through the mechanism of a federal or non-federal grant or contract. OSP assists with the acquisition and usage of grants and contract funding for Smithsonian research, education and training. Assistance is provided to Principal Investigators, administrative units and central management staff. Principal administrative functions of the office include advising on funding sources and availability; assisting with proposal preparation and submission, including meeting sponsor and Smithsonian requirements and development of the budget; reviewing and negotiating the terms and conditions of a proposed award and accepting the award on behalf of the Institution; and providing advice and assistance in development of the Institution’s research policies. In addition, federal research compliance policy (e.g. use of animals or human subjects in research) is developed and monitored by OSP staff. Training programs in all relevant areas are provided to Smithsonian staff on a regular basis. Accounting/financial functions include monitoring sponsored project activities and expenditures to assure compliance with Smithsonian and sponsor policies and accounting standards; providing oversight for cash management of all grants and contracts; providing advice and problem resolution services to principal investigators; serving as the official Smithsonian audit liaison with auditors of government agencies and private foundations and corporations for grants and contracts. The office is also responsible for preparing, negotiating and applying the Smithsonian’s indirect cost system for grants and contracts.

Program Website: http://www.si.edu/osp/general_information/internship_opps.htm

Contact Phone: (202) 633-7110

Contact Fax: (202) 633-7119

Contact Email: otijik@si.edu