Office for Research and Creative Activity

The Office for Research and Creative Activity (ORCA) supports Lindenwood University faculty, staff, and students as they develop, fund, conduct, and share research, scholarship, creative activity, and externally sponsored projects.

ORCA provides guidance, education, administrative support, and compliance oversight throughout the project lifecycle – from developing an initial idea to identifying funding opportunities, preparing proposals, protecting research participants, managing awards, and completing project requirements.

ORCA’s work is organized across three primary areas:

Research Administration and Development (RAD)

Research Administration and Development supports the development and administration of externally funded projects, including grants, project contracts, cooperative agreements, and other sponsored activities.

RAD services include:

Identifying and evaluating external funding opportunities
Supporting proposal development and submission
Assisting with project budgets and required application materials
Coordinating institutional review and approval of sponsored project proposals
Supporting award setup, administration, compliance, reporting, and closeout
Providing guidance on sponsor requirements, agreements, and research-related partnerships

RAD works with faculty and staff to ensure that sponsored projects are appropriately planned, approved, and administered in accordance with institutional and sponsor requirements.

Research, Innovation, and Partnership Lab (RIPL)

The Research, Innovation, and Partnership Lab supports the development of research, scholarship, creative activity, innovation, and collaborative projects across the University.

RIPL services include:

Individual and team-based project consultation
Research and program evaluation design
Development of surveys and other data-collection strategies
Support for interdisciplinary and community-engaged partnerships · Internal funding opportunities, including the PRIDE Fund
Workshops, training programs, and educational resources
Assistance connecting ideas with institutional expertise, collaborators, and funding opportunities

RIPL helps members of the Lindenwood community move projects from early-stage ideas to well-developed, sustainable initiatives.

Human Research Protection Program and Institutional Review Board

Lindenwood University’s Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), including the Institutional Review Board (IRB), protects the rights, welfare, and dignity of individuals who participate in research conducted by Lindenwood faculty, staff, and students.

HRPP and IRB services include:

Ethical and regulatory review of research involving human participants
Guidance on IRB applications, informed consent, recruitment, confidentiality, and data protection
Consultation for behavioral, social science, educational, and biomedical research
Education and training for researchers, faculty advisors, students, and IRB members
Oversight of approved research and continuing compliance responsibilities
Coordination of reliance agreements and collaborative human subjects research

The HRPP works collaboratively with researchers to promote ethical, responsible, and high-quality research while ensuring compliance with applicable federal regulations and University policies.

Additional Research Support and Oversight

ORCA also provides guidance and coordination related to research integrity, intellectual property, responsible conduct of research, conflicts of interest, research partnerships, and other institutional requirements associated with research and sponsored activity.

Whether you are exploring a new idea, preparing a funding application, establishing a research partnership, submitting an IRB application, or managing an active project, ORCA can help identify the appropriate resources, processes, and next steps.