What is an AOR?

An AOR, Authorized Organizational Representative, is someone with the authority to submit proposals and/or enter into agreements on behalf of an organization or entity, like CSU. All documents that obligate University personnel, facilities, intellectual property or other Institutional resources require an authorized University signature. Additionally, many systems used to submit proposals require someone with an AOR role to submit applications on behalf of the organization.

How are AOR roles assigned?

For federal submission systems, AOR roles are typically assigned by an e-Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC). At CSU, the EBiz POC is David Doty in the Office of Sponsored Programs. While assigning an AOR role isn’t difficult, the process for determining who at CSU can act as an AOR takes more than an online registration.

Before designating someone as a signatory for proposals, awards, contracts, or other agreement types, it is important that person is well-versed in the policies, procedures, legal requirements, and potential risks associated with entering CSU into an agreement. The Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System has delegated the authority to approve and execute all contracts, agreements, grants, warrants and other binding legal instruments to the Institution’s President, and permits the President to authorize other administrators to negotiate and execute such agreements.   

Who at CSU is an AOR?

There are a number of individuals authorized by the Institution to sign proposals, certifications, award agreements, contracts, and other agreement types, including the Vice President for Research, Associate & Assistant Vice Presidents for Research, Director & Associate Director of Sponsored Programs and OSP Senior Research Administrators (SRAs) and Research Administrators (RAs). It is important to note that not listed here are individual faculty, meaning faculty and other CSU staff should not be signing agreements on behalf of the Institution.

Bottom line: When you have a document that needs to be signed, whether it be a grant proposal, research agreement, material transfer agreement, or any other agreement that legally binds the Institution, it is important to contact the appropriate Senior Research Administrator or Research Administrator in your college/department to determine who is authorized to sign.