Dates

• Usage: 2002 - present
• Usage: 1970 - 2002
• Usage: 1963 - 1970

Biography

The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) at Boston College oversees the solicitation, preparation, submission, and acceptance of grants and contracts for research and other externally sponsored activities on behalf of the University. Working closely with faculty, OSP ensures budget accuracy, regulatory compliance, and institutional approval prior to submission.

The office traces its origins to the creation of the University Director of Research position, first held by Dr. Walter Driscoll in 1963. At that time, faculty proposals for external funding required departmental or school-level approval before being submitted through Driscoll’s office for final authorization by a university officer. Initially reporting directly to President Michael Walsh, the office was moved under the Provost (then called the Academic Vice President) in 1965. That same year, Charles F. Flaherty was appointed as Assistant to the Director.

In 1969, Samuel Aronoff became both Dean of the Graduate School and the first Vice President for Research, taking on broader oversight of research activities, budgets, and personnel. Under his leadership, the University Research Council was formed in 1971 to strengthen the institutional research agenda and improve integration with academic goals.

Over the next two decades, oversight of research administration evolved, including the establishment of the Associate Dean of Faculties and, later, the Associate Vice President for Research. The role of Director of Research Administration was formalized in 1991 to provide strategic leadership in expanding external funding and managing federal research compliance.

In 2002, the office was renamed the Office of Sponsored Programs to distinguish it from Institutional Research and Planning. John Carfora was appointed to lead the renamed office.

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