Sponsored Programs Support Center Specialist (Pre-Award)
UT Health San Antonio
Customer Service
San Antonio, TX, USA
Posted on Apr 24, 2026
The Sponsored Programs Support Center Specialist is responsible for the administrative components of routine pre-award administrative duties and serves as a resource to support faculty questions. Under direct supervision, this role assists with grant lifecycle tasks, such as the preparation of research budget development and coordinates successful proposals. This role provides high quality service, attention to detail, and excellent customer service.
Benefits Overview
UT Health San Antonio offers an excellent benefits package for its employees. Employees who work at least 20 hours a week, with an appointment of at least 4.5 months, are eligible for benefits.
Medical - UT SELECT Medical insurance is offered free for employees and administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Family members can be added to the plan through payroll deduction. Employees and their dependents can also receive discounted copays and coinsurance when using UT Health Physicians, a network of 800 premier physicians including more than 100 specialists. Employees receive $50,000 of group term life insurance and $50,000 of basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance for free, with options to purchase additional employee and dependent coverage for both at group rates.
Dental - Three dental insurance plan options are available for employees and their families through Delta Dental Insurance Company, two PPOs and one dental HMO plan. Both PPO plans allow employees to choose any licensed dentist.
Vision - Fully insured Vision Care benefits are offered by Superior Vision Services. Two vision plan options that offer either standard or enhanced vision benefits.
Disability - Employees can enroll in the Disability Insurance which provides income if a non-work related illness or injury prevents you from working.
FSAs - Employees can enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to set aside money from earnings before taxes for qualifying dependent day care expenses or out-of-pocket health care expenses.
Retirement - Employees are eligible for either the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). TRS is a defined benefit retirement plan which UT Health matches employee contributions. ORP is for eligible faculty staff employees. Voluntary retirement programs are also available to invest before- or after-tax dollars with the choice of five quality retirement plan providers.
Time Off - A generous leave program offers multiple paid leave options:
- Front-loaded Paid Time Off: 128 to 208 hours (16 to 26 days) of Paid Time Off based on years of service, given at the start of each fiscal year. PTO may be prorated in year one based on date of hire.
- Extended Illness Bank: 8 hours (1 day) accrued per month which can be used for illness or injury after one day of Paid Time Off is taken.
- Paid Family Leave: Up to 240 hours (6 weeks) to care for a spouse, child, or parent after 6 months of consecutive employment.
- Holidays: 12 set paid holidays each year.
Discounts - Employees enjoy a range of discounts on services, tickets, and gym membership.
EEO Statement
UT Health San Antonio is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is our policy to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
- Ability to work in a team environment, be flexible, and accountable, manage conflicting responsibilities, prioritize tasks, and consistently meet both internal and external deadlines.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with both faculty and administrative staff and ancillary units involved in sponsored program administration.
- Capability to work with all types of sponsored programs including training, public service, and basic science and clinical research.
- Attention to detail, problem-solving, and ability to prioritize multiple projects and responsibilities to meet deadlines.
- Possesses critical thinking and deductive reasoning skills.
EDUCATION:
- Bachelor's degree is required.
- Master's degree preferred.
EXPERIENCE:
- Zero (0) to four (4) years of research administration, grant proposal, and budgeting experience is required with Bachelor's degree.
- With high school diploma, four (4) years of experience must supplement education.
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:
- Certified Research Administrator (CRA) is preferred.
- Pre-Award (CPRA) certification is preferred.
- Assists faculty, as requested, with seeking funding opportunities.
- Assists with preparing and routing proposals and sponsored program agreements according to established policies and procedures while adhering closely to various deadlines. Communicates internal submission deadlines and sponsor due dates.
- Assists with the coordination of sponsored proposals, budgets, and other administrative data required for proposals for leadership and Principal Investigator review.
- Reviews proposal budgets and ensures allowability and accuracy of requested costs per sponsor and institutional guidelines.
- Assists with ensuring the proposal is entered into ERMS Grants or other submission system as applicable, prior to routing to the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) in accordance with established internal deadlines.
- Supports Principle Investigators (PIs) in understanding of sponsored program administration, policies, and compliance on an ongoing basis.
- Attends regular meetings, training sessions, and professional development workshops to keep current on policies and procedures relevant to position responsibilities, as requested and approved by the Pre-Award Specialist – Supervisor.
- Support establishment of awards in conjunction with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP).
- Performs other duties as assigned.