Sponsored Research and Projects | Palo Alto University

Mission Statement

Through equitable and inclusive collaboration, and invaluable service and support, the PAU Grants Office and Research Administration are dedicated to facilitating sponsored research and projects and initiatives by providing comprehensive oversight in finding, securing, and managing external sources of funding thereby advancing PAU’s research, scholarship, and educational objectives.

In pursuit of our mission, the Grants Office and Research Administration are committed to the following research responsibilities:

Facilitate the expansion of research, scholarship, and knowledge advancement at PAU.
Enhance teaching through the integration of research opportunities and resources.
Foster equitable and inclusive collaboration within the PAU research community.
Ensure efficient and effective grant administration to support PAU's research goals.

Through these efforts, the Grants Office and Research Administration aims to strengthen PAU's position as a leader in research and academic excellence while promoting the principles of integrity, transparency, and innovation in all grant-related activities.

Support Services

Serve as the primary liaison between sponsors and the institution.
Manage grants from inception to completion, ensuring compliance and effective stewardship of resources.
Identify potential funding sources for student, staff, and faculty research initiatives.
Assist in proposal preparation, including reviewing, editing, and approving prior to submission.
Draft sub-agreements and amendments as necessary for successful grant execution.
Provide expertise in budgeting and financial management throughout the proposal development process.
Facilitate electronic submission of proposals and manage grant-related documentation.
Offer developmental training through workshops and webinars to enhance grant development skills.
Negotiate favorable terms and conditions for sponsored awards and sub-contracts, both Federal and Non-Federal.

Grants Office Service Request Form

If you are requesting grants office assistance, please submit a request via the Grants Office Service Request Form.

Service requests include but are not limited to finding proposal development/review, subcontract/sub-agreement and MOU requests, Provost/Authorized Official Signature DocuSign requests, etc.

Finding Funding

Proposal Development

Read and re-read Request for Proposal (RFP), Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), etc. guidelines thoroughly.

Training & Development

Check out our Center for Educational Excellence(CEE) for training and development information available here at PAU.

About

Research involving human subjects must be approved by the IRB, through the submission of your proposal via IRB Manager.

PAU faculty, staff, students or affiliates MUST seek IRB approval prior to engaging in the following research projects:
- receiving archival data
- collaborating with researchers at another institution who already have IRB approval
- proposing original data collection

For more information contact irb@paloaltou.edu or to visit the IRB Website.

For more information contact irb@paloaltou.edu or to visit the IRB Website

Janice Kuo, PhD

Professor of Psychology
IRB Chair
Ph: (650) 433-3870
irb@paloaltou.edu

Charlotte Beard, PhD

Assistant Professor of Psychology
IRB Vice Chair
Ph: (650) 433-3870
irb@paloaltou.edu

Foundation Grants

For more information about Foundation Grants contact Director of Development, Anne Farrah at afarrah@paloaltou.edu.

Sponsored Project Highlights

Janice Kuo, PhD

Dr. Janice Kuo is a co-principal investigator for the pilot effectiveness trial of Cognitive Processing Therapy augmented with a suicide risk management protocol (CPT+SRM) for individuals with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), this project addresses the significant clinical and economic burdens of PTSD-BPD comorbidity. The trial, conducted at the Stanford Outpatient General Adult Psychosocial Treatment Clinic, evaluates the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a streamlined, integrative intervention that targets emotional reactivity and cognitive dysfunction. Dr. Kuo’s innovative research is poised to enhance service delivery and accessibility of care for this complex population, with long-term goals of large-scale implementation and improved mental health outcomes.

Mikael Rubin, PhD

Dr. Mikael Rubin is the principal investigator for the project "Testing the Role of Attentional and Audio Vocal Mechanisms in a New Internet-Based Intervention for Social Anxiety: iExposure," funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). This innovative research, in collaboration with Dr. Yan Leykin, aims to explore internet-based solutions for social anxiety. The project is currently in progress and is poised to provide significant advancements in mental health interventions.

Kimberly Balsam, PhD

Dr. Kimberly Balsam is the principal investigator for the LGBTQ+ Clinical Academy, a project funded by the County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department. For this ongoing project, Dr. Balsam and colleagues developed a 40-hour intensive training program designed to enhance LGBTQ+ cultural competence among behavioral health clinicians in the public sector. They have been conducting this program annually since 2020 and have evaluated its effectiveness in improving clinician skills knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to LGBTQ+ populations. In addition to offering the primary training, Dr. Balsam and colleagues also have created and conducted several shorter and more advanced LGBTQ+ cultural competence trainings and offered them to clinicians in the county annually. Dr. Balsam’s work on this role is aimed at improving the quality of care for LGBTQ+ individuals in Santa Clara County by equipping providers across the county with the necessary skills and knowledge to offer inclusive, affirming, and culturally competent services.

Rowena Gomez, PhD

Dr. Rowena Gomez is a co-principal investigator for the Longevity, Equity, and Aging Research Network (LEARN), a multi-institutional consortium funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the NIA RCMAR program grant. This project seeks to radically improve the aging experience and extend healthspan for multicultural Americans by promoting inclusive research and innovative methodologies, such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and digital interventions. LEARN aims to advance knowledge in the fields of longevity, healthy aging, and quality of life, while also fostering a diverse research workforce by mentoring junior scientists from underrepresented backgrounds. Dr. Gomez’s work is integral to this transdisciplinary effort, which seeks to eliminate health disparities and improve the well-being of older adults in priority populations.

Contact Us

Cristal Ponciano Sanchez, M.A.

Grants Administrator
Assistant Director, Center for Educational Excellence
650.417.2062 ext. 9778
grantsoffice@paloaltou.edu

Tonie Peralta

Senior Accountant
sponsoredprojects@paloaltou.edu