University-wide Support

The executive vice president for research, reporting directly to the president of the university, has overall responsibility for the university's research enterprise, encompassing a broad spectrum of research departments, institutes and centers in the natural and biomedical sciences, the social sciences and the humanities. The Office of the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR) administers polices regarding the conduct of research at the University and oversees the management of research programs.

Sponsored Projects Administration serves as a central resource to support the research community at Columbia University by providing guidance and stewardship administrators and investigators in their pursuit of research and other scholarly activities while ensuring compliance with federal, University and private sponsor regulations, terms and conditions.

Sponsored Projects Finance works with principal investigators and their delegates to make sure that funds received from sponsors to carry out the important work of the university are used in accordance with the terms and conditions of those awards.

The mission of the Clinical Trials Office is to facilitate quality clinical trial research – the effective and efficient evaluation of new pharmaceuticals and medical devices – by providing the Columbia University Irving Medical Center research community with comprehensive administrative services that help move trials quickly from initial proposal through contract execution. They assist with trials supported by federal and foundation grants and industry contracts, including investigator-initiated trials.

The Institutional Review Board is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all human research studies conducted by Columbia faculty, employees, and staff are conducted ethically and in a manner that promotes the protection of participants in research. In accordance with institutional policy, all human studies research must not only be in compliance with state and federal regulations, but also must meet or exceed the standards of accreditation as set forth by the Association for Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs.

Environmental Health and Safety provides expert guidance and timely service to the university community through a commitment to health and safety. Employing best practices, collaborations, and building long-term relationships, EHS promotes a productive and safety-conscious work environment.

The Columbia University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee acknowledges the extensive medical advancements that are the direct result of animal research and strives to provide guidance to the scientific community in fulfilling the obligation to conduct animal research with the highest scientific, humane and ethical principles.

As one of the pre-eminent research institutions in the country, Columbia University is dedicated to the highest standards of research integrity. On this site, you will find descriptions of many of the offices and departments at Columbia with responsibility and oversight for various elements of research as well as links to their websites. You will also find links to relevant University policies and government guidelines that govern the research enterprise and to educational and training resource.

Columbia Technology Ventures provides support for technology transfer through technology development initiatives, entrepreneurial activities, external industry collaborations, and commercially-oriented multidisciplinary technology innovations across Columbia. The ultimate mission of CTV, is to facilitate the transfer of inventions from academic research to the market, with the aim of benefiting local, national, and global communities.

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs was established in February 2006 to serve the needs of the university's postdoctoral research scientists, scholars and fellows. Our mission is not to only enhance the educational and training experiences of the postdoctoral officers but also to serve as an information repository and liaison among postdocs, faculty, and administrators.

The Columbia University Finance Division has further information on financial operations, procurement services, purchasing, accounts payable, and matters pertaining to financial compliance.