A Letter to our Sponsors
The Georgia Southern University Research & Service Foundation (GSURSF) serves as the applicant institution for external funding proposals and provides this document to outline the limitations and alternative solutions regarding legal terms that Georgia state entities cannot accept, ensuring compliance with state laws while facilitating research and service partnerships.
Click to read the letter.Related Links
About the Foundation
The Georgia Southern University Research and Service Foundation, Inc. (GSURSF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that fuels the research, service, and educational missions of Georgia Southern University. As a cooperative partner, GSURSF embraces the University’s commitment to soar beyond boundaries by securing grants and contracts from individuals, government agencies, industry sponsors, and private organizations. These partnerships support impactful research, dynamic instruction, and community-driven service initiatives that reflect Georgia Southern’s dedication to innovation and growth.
Functioning under the policies of the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia, the Foundation is the primary applicant for all external funding proposals. Once funding is awarded, GSURSF, through a memorandum of understanding, assigns it to the University to carry out projects that transform ideas into real-world solutions, equipping academic and support units with essential resources. Through this process, the Foundation enables Georgia Southern’s research community to push past expectations and unlock new possibilities.
GSURSF also plays a pivotal role in managing the University’s intellectual property and technology transfer activities. By working with faculty to secure patents, trademarks, copyrights, and licenses, the Foundation fosters innovation with commercial and economic potential. Faculty inventors share in the royalties, which are reinvested to further Georgia Southern’s research mission, empowering discoveries that make a lasting impact.
In addition to its external efforts, GSURSF strengthens the University’s research environment by occasionally funding competitive internal grants for promising projects and offering ad hoc support to enhance the institution’s reputation. For a deeper look into GSURSF’s operations and impact, please visit our resource pages.
Working with the Foundation
Contracting for Research Services
Georgia Southern University is home to a broad spectrum of research and educational expertise, which meets pressing scientific, technological, and community needs. GSURSF facilitates all applications, proposals, and contracts for research, training, and scholarly activities. These must be submitted through the Foundation, and most proposals require a thorough academic and administrative review before acceptance. For detailed information on the proposal process, please refer to the Reviews and Approvals section on the Research Services website.
Upon approval, GSURSF engages directly with sponsors to negotiate and formalize collaborative agreements. The Foundation’s Executive Director will work with sponsors to finalize contracts, ensuring clear and structured partnerships. Whether through a Sponsored Programs Agreement or a Research Services Agreement for smaller projects, the Grant Coordinator and Executive Director guide each initiative to success.
Requirements for Institutional Review and Approval
To maintain compliance and facilitate the smooth release of funds, it is essential that all proposals and contracts follow the established submission and approval channels. Projects funded outside these channels may risk delays or non-acceptance. In cases where projects are solicited and work is conducted without formal agreements, the principal investigator assumes full responsibility, including potential reimbursement for University resources utilized. Properly executed agreements protect both the University and its researchers, fostering an environment where ideas can truly soar beyond.