The GRANTED initiative from the National Science Foundation invests in scalable models that strengthen the nation’s research enterprise by developing a skilled and diverse workforce. Lehigh’s Granted Graduate Assistantship & Internship Program is part of this effort, preparing doctoral students for meaningful careers in research administration.

About the Program

Through a yearlong graduate assistantship and a summer internship at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI), advanced PhD students gain direct experience in the core functions of research administration. Their training includes:

  • Course modules on research development, sponsored programs, research integrity, and technology transfer.
  • Scaffolded learning, moving from guided tasks to independent projects.
  • Shadowing senior staff and directors to observe real-world decision-making.
  • Independent projects that allow them to apply and demonstrate their skills.


The program equips participants with professional experience and broad exposure to administrative research careers in the university context, while also contributing to the national goal of strengthening the research enterprise.


1. Program Overview


The Granted program creates a bridge between doctoral training and professional careers in the research enterprise. While most PhD programs focus on disciplinary expertise, this initiative helps students understand and participate in the systems that enable research to thrive.

At Lehigh, the program emphasizes:

  • Exposure to multiple offices within the research ecosystem, offering a holistic view of how proposals, compliance, partnerships, and commercialization come together.
  • Professional skill-building in areas such as communication, project management, and problem solving—competencies that strengthen both academic and administrative career paths.
  • Mentorship and reflection, ensuring that students not only complete tasks but also connect their experiences to broader career possibilities.
  • Contribution to the university’s mission, as graduate assistants and interns support real projects that advance faculty success, strengthen compliance, and build external partnerships.

By design, the program benefits both the students, who gain unique career preparation, and the university, which expands its capacity and visibility in the research administration landscape.


2. Structure at Lehigh


The Granted program at Lehigh is built around a clear structure that balances learning, mentorship, and practice-based contribution. Eachl student participates in three interconnected components:

  1. Graduate Assistantship (Academic Year)
    • Placement in one of four core offices within the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR):
      • Research Development (RD)
      • Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP)
      • Research Integrity and Compliance (ORI)
      • Office of Technology Transfer (OTT)
    • Direct engagement with staff and directors, completing projects that contribute to office priorities while building practical knowledge and skills.
       
  2. Common Learning Modules
    • A shared curriculum across all graduate assistants, covering foundational topics such as grant seeking, grant development and writing support, compliance, budgeting, project management, and technology transfer (management of IP and translation to industry).
    • Designed as short sessions that provide context and tools applicable across offices.
       
  3. Summer Internship at a PUI
    • A hands-on experience at a primarily undergraduate institution, allowing students to apply what they’ve learned in a different institutional environment.
    • Interns provide capacity to smaller institutions while gaining perspective on research administration outside the R1 context.


This structure ensures that students receive both depth (through their office placement) and breadth (through shared modules, cross-office exposure, and the internship experience).

  • Visual: timeline or infographic showing the yearlong progression.
  • Resource link: downloadable curriculum outline (PDF).


3. Administrative Research Careers


Why these careers matter

Behind every successful grant, research milestone, and university partnership is a network of professionals ensuring that research runs smoothly, ethically, and strategically. Research administration is a growing field that supports faculty success, fosters innovation, and strengthens institutional capacity.

The Granted program introduces students to several career pathways through real experience in four core offices:

Research Development (RD)

Research development professionals support faculty in pursuing funding, forming collaborative teams, and articulating the broader impacts of their work. They help shape grant strategy, identify opportunities, and build capacity for competitive proposals.  Learn more at NORDP

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP)

ORSP oversees proposal submissions and award management. From budgets to compliance, this team ensures that all sponsored projects meet institutional, sponsor, and federal requirements.  Learn more at NCURA

Office of Research Integrity (ORI)

ORI safeguards the ethical conduct of research through training, oversight, and policy implementation. Topics include human subjects, conflicts of interest, export controls, and responsible conduct of research.  Learn more at PRIM&R

Office of Technology Transfer (OTT)

OTT helps move university inventions from the lab into the market. Their work includes evaluating disclosures, filing patents, managing IP, and negotiating licensing agreements with industry.  Learn more at AUTM

By working in and across these offices, Granted participants gain hands-on experience with the systems and practices that make research possible — and get early insight into careers that are vital to the future of science and scholarship.


4. External Partners


The Granted program at Lehigh is part of a national effort funded by the NSF GRANTED initiative, which supports scalable models to strengthen the research enterprise across institutions. Our work at Lehigh offers one such model, designed to be shared, adapted, and implemented by others.

We welcome engagement from external partners who are exploring ways to:

  • Build or scale graduate-level training in administrative research careers
  • Support professional pathways for graduate students
  • Increase capacity and expertise in research offices at smaller institutions

Whether you're from a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI) seeking summer interns or from an R1 looking to launch your own program, we are currently developing resources and documentation that can help.

 

Interested in receiving the full resource kit or chatting with our team about replication?  Contact Melissa Fowler at mlf324@lehigh.edu.

5. Advisory Committee


Coming soon!

6. Resources


Coming soon!