Grant Proposal Specialist

College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences

Dean's Office 

Within CNMS Business Central, the Grants Specialist uses a proactive and collaborative approach and technology to provide consultative customer service to the various departments serviced by the shared services center.

UMBC offers competitive compensation.  This role starts at $65,500 and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.

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For 16 years in a row UMBC has been recognized as a Great College to Work For! 

A hybrid telework schedule may be available.

Reporting to the CNMS Assistant Dean of Financial Management, the Grants Specialist is responsible for providing direct, full service administrative, budget, and business support to faculty who are submitting proposals for extramural (contract and grant) funding. The incumbent will serve as the liaison on behalf of the faculty with various central UMBC departments as well as external organizations and/or individuals for the successful submission of a proposal.

Responsibilities include:

• Serve as primary point of contact to CNMS faculty for proposal submissions.
• Provide pre-award proposal support, including funding announcement review, preparing budgets and budget justifications in compliance with funding opportunity announcement, compiling and preparing proposal documents in compliance with funding opportunity announcement, entering and routing proposal in Kuali, and entering proposal in sponsor's system of submission.
• Provide post-award non-financial support, including submitting no cost extension requests, assisting with award close-out, preparing and submitting pre-award account requests, submitting sub-award modifications, and submitting invoices for payment.
• Assist with monthly sponsored project reporting.
• Prepare and process journal entries as necessary.
• Assist with effort report certification process as needed.
• Keep faculty updated about changes with sponsor requirements for proposal submissions.
• Stay current with UMBC, state, and federal regulations and laws governing contract and grant administration.
• Provide back-up support to other CNMS Business Central functions, including but not limited to, financial management, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Three years of experience, preferably in sponsored research, budgeting, financial reporting and analysis, forecasting, account reconciliation, and/or other relevant accounting/finance/analytical responsibilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, basic organizational and analytical skills along with the ability to manage multiple assignments under time deadlines, and a commitment to exemplary customer service skills are required.

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, or related field is preferred.
• Experience in pre-award grants administration, particularly in preparing and submitting proposals to sponsor agencies.
• Familiarity with NASA, NSF, and/or NIH proposal submissions, familiarity or working knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), familiarity with Kuali or other research administration tool used to route and submit proposals, and/or experience working in higher education or non-profit environments.

A background check will be required. 

Upload a cover letter and a resume.  

UMBC offers a rich benefits package.

Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here):

Generous Leave which includes accruing:

• 22 Days of Annual Leave  
• 15 Days of Sick Leave  
• 15 Holidays
• 3 Personal Days

Tuition Remission:

• 8 credit hours per semester
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

Additional Benefits:

• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness opportunities
• & Much more

Salary: $65,500 - $74,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.