Grants Specialist I

Position Title:

Grants Specialist I

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree

Job Description:

Come join the Research and Graduate Studies team within Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine as a Grant Specialist I. Help advance research that improves animal health, veterinary medicine, and scientific discovery. As a central resource for faculty, researchers, and students, our team supports external funding, research development, and graduate education across the college.

In this role, you will serve in a pre-award research administration capacity, partnering with faculty throughout the grant proposal development and submission process. Responsibilities include identifying funding opportunities, developing proposal budgets, coordinating proposal submissions, assisting with sponsor guidelines and requirements, preparing proposal materials, and supporting other pre-award research administration activities. You will collaborate with faculty, researchers, and university partners to help secure external funding that advances the college's research mission.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early career professional interested in research administration. We are committed to providing training and development to help the successful candidate build expertise in pre-award grant administration and research support. Working closely with faculty, researchers, students, and university partners, you'll gain experience in funding opportunity identification, proposal development, budget preparation, proposal coordination, and sponsor submission requirements while helping transform innovative ideas into competitive funding proposals.

Additional Details

• Location: Ames, Iowa
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

What You'll Do

• Coordinate the preparation, internal review and submission of grant proposals.
• Develop proposal budgets, justifications and supporting documentation.
• Enter and maintain proposal information in university systems.
• Coordinate proposal routing, approvals, and submission timelines.
• Assist faculty with interpreting sponsor guidelines, preparing proposal materials, and meeting submission requirements
• Support post-submission activities, including sponsor requests and required documentation.
• Collect, maintain, and verify research-related data and records.
• Assist with research programs, events, workshops, and student initiatives.
• Monitor and distribute funding opportunities to faculty and staff.
• Collaborate with university partners to support research administration activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, Research Administration, or a related field.
• Experience developing budgets, financial reports, or financial projections.
• Experience preparing or submitting grant, contract, or sponsored project proposals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, and data reporting.
• Experience reviewing and applying policies, procedures, funding requirements, or compliance guidelines.

Why Join Us?

Join a collaborative and supportive team that helps advance research, innovation, and graduate education within Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. This entry-level role offers the opportunity to build expertise in research administration while working alongside faculty, researchers, students, and university partners to support impactful research initiatives.

Iowa State University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement benefits, generous paid time off, professional development opportunities, and flexible work arrangements where business needs permit. Learn more about our benefits: https://jobs.iastate.edu/benefits.

Join a team where your contributions support groundbreaking research while providing opportunities to learn, grow, and make a lasting impact.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type:

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS807

Original Posting Date:

October 14, 2026

Posting Close Date:

October 28, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R20076

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

 

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.