About ORA

UCLA’s Office of Research Administration (ORA) provides operational infrastructure, regulatory compliance oversight and guidance, financial management and reporting, and administrative services in support of the UCLA research program and the faculty, staff and students who are part of the campus research community.

ORA is the UCLA institutional office-of-record for research administration transactions, data, and compliance. ORA staff members are the central points of contact for Principal Investigators and staff members seeking guidance on research administration process, practice and compliance matters. Designated ORA staff members serve as the primary points of contact and Authorized Institutional Officials in communications with government and non-profit research sponsors and regulatory agencies. ORA works to streamline and integrate research administration processes and systems to meet our goals to:

  • Improve service to faculty researchers and reduce their administrative workload
  • Improve institutional and regulatory compliance
  • Increase operational efficiencies

ORA organizational units include: Contract and Grant Administration (OCGA), Extramural Fund Management (EFM), Human Research Protection Program (OHRPP), Research Safety and Animal Welfare Administration (RSAWA), Research Data Management (ORDM), Research Information System (ORIS) and ORA Business and Financial Services (OBFS).

Marcia L. Smith

Associate Vice Chancellor
UCLA Research Administration University of California,
Los Angeles

10889 Wilshire Blvd,
Suite 700-84
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1406
Telephone: (310) 206-8459

Email: marcia.smith@research.ucla.edu