Distinguished Research Professor Nancy Manley has been named the university’s executive director of Sponsored Projects Administration, a position through which she will lead ongoing efforts to enhance the support and service that faculty members receive as they apply for and manage grants and other externally funded projects.
Associate Vice President for Research Carl Bergmann, who previously oversaw Sponsored Projects Administration, is shifting his focus to advancing the comprehensive OneSource Project to replace the university’s core administrative systems and processes.
“UGA’s research expenditures have risen dramatically in recent years, and I am confident that Dr. Manley’s leadership of Sponsored Projects Administration will help our faculty members further increase their productivity and scholarly impact,” said Provost Pamela Whitten. “She is a highly productive researcher with an exemplary record of building collaborations across campus.”
Manley’s research has been funded by several agencies within the National Institutes of Health and by the National Science Foundation. She directs the university’s Integrated Life Sciences program, an umbrella admissions mechanism for graduate students, and founded the Developmental Biology Alliance, which includes nearly 40 faculty members in 12 departments and five schools and colleges.
As executive director of Sponsored Projects Administration, she oversees a staff of more than 30 individuals focused on supporting faculty members along the full spectrum of the grants process, from proposal development and submission through accounting to award closeout.
“I am looking forward to working with the dedicated Sponsored Projects Administration staff to build on the work done so far and ensure that SPA provides optimal support for the research mission at UGA,” Manley said.
Bergmann oversaw the successful integration of Contracts and Grants and the Office for Sponsored Projects into the new, integrated Sponsored Projects Administration.
“The entire team is deeply committed to making procedural and business process changes to improve grants administration at UGA,” said Vice President for Finance and Administration Ryan Nesbit.
“As the inaugural executive director of Sponsored Projects Administration, Carl served brilliantly during a period of enormous transition and progress,” said Vice President for Research David Lee. “With Nancy at the helm, we’ll see continued progress for the benefit of our faculty members.”
