Grant Specialist

Grant Specialist

Job Title - Grant Specialist

Working Title - Pre-Award Grant Specialist

Department Name - Collaborative Grant Services

Work Location - Lexington, KY

Grade Level - 44

Salary Range - $44,678-71,469/year

Type of Position - Staff

Position Time Status - Full-Time

Required Education - MA

Required Related Experience - 1 yr

Required License/Registration/Certification - None

Physical Requirements - Sitting for long periods of time; repetitive motion related to computer work

Shift - Monday – Friday, 8:00 amEST– 5:00 pmEST; additional hours especially during peak deadline timesCan be fully remote or hybrid if near Lexington, KY

Job Summary - Shape the Future of Research Administration at the University of KentuckyWildcat Wisdom, Kentucky Innovation – Supporting Discoveries, Transforming Outcomes!Why Join Us?The University of Kentucky's Collaborative Grant Services (CGS) department is seeking a dedicated and skilledPre-Award Grant Specialist. This vital role supports the proposal, preparation, and submission of grants and contracts, enabling groundbreaking research across the University.

About the Role:With employees in the department currently working across the U.S. and from both coasts, this is a great remote work opportunity. For those near Lexington, KY, hybrid work may also be available.As aPre-Award Grant Specialist, responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, support of sponsored project proposal development including budget preparation, facilitation of internal approvals for proposal submissions, and contributing regular support through entry and analysis of data within various sponsor and university proposal-related systems. Additional responsibilities will be to remain current and knowledgeable on sponsored project policy and related university rules and regulations. The Grant Specialist will also be responsible for providing exceptional customer service through timely response and follow-up related to these duties.

Why Research Professionals Choose University of KentuckyTop 10% of Academic Medical Centers Nationwide:Recognized as a leader in research excellence and innovation.Forbes' Best Large Employers:Ranked among the Top 100 Employers Nationwide in 2024 and named one of Kentucky's Best Employers on Forbes' America's Best-In-State Employers list.1 of 34 Universities Nationwide:Holds the prestigious trifecta of research designations in cancer, aging, and translational science.Flexible Remote Work Options:Enjoy the convenience of fully remote or hybrid roles while supporting groundbreaking research.Professional Development Opportunities:Engage in interdisciplinary collaborations, virtual conferences, and training programs to advance your career.

Want to learn more about the Department?Over the last decade, UK has nearly doubled its total awards for sponsored research, and in the past 5 years, sponsored research has grown more than 40%. In response to this, the Collaborative Grant Services (CGS) department was created to handle the business of research, so investigators can focus on the research. This is done by focusing on the people, processes, and technology involved with grants administration.

Interested in what UK Benefits have to offer?The University of Kentucky is proud to offer a benefits package that helps us recruit and retain the very best faculty and staff. In addition to your take-home pay, your benefits package is a major component of your total compensation at UK. These benefits include our 200 percent match on eligible retirement contributions; competitive health, dental, and vision coverage; tuition benefits for classes at UK, and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit:

Ready to Make a Difference in Research Administration?Are you ready to take the next step in advancing research and innovation? Join us in UK's Collaborative Grant Services department as the next dedicatedPre-Award Grant Specialistand play a pivotal role in supporting groundbreaking projects that shape the future.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities - Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? - No

Preferred Education/Experience

Deadline to Apply - 07/16/2026

Our University Community - We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Please indicate the number of years of paid work experience in which you were responsible for ensuring compliance with grant related policies and regulations.
2. * Describe your ability to handle a large, varied and complex workload, including how you address challenges related to balancing attention to detail with working efficiently. (Open Ended Question)
3. * Describe your experience with preparing and/or managing complex grant or other budgets, including the most challenging issue you've resolved. (Open Ended Question)
4. * Provide an example that demonstrates your ability to successfully develop and maintain productive relationships with other (customers and co-workers). (Open Ended Question)
5. * Please indicate the number of years of paid experience you have with pre-award submission and preparation of grants.

Applicant Documents

1. Resume

1. Cover Letter