Leading research with Lamar University and ORSPA

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Administration (ORSPA) works with the Lamar University community to drive ground-breaking research across a myriad of fields.

Lamar University is a diverse research institution, and it is the mission of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Administration (ORSPA) to support and promote the research and scholarly activities of faculty and staff while ensuring compliance and scholarly integrity.

Their mission is dedicated to advancing the University’s research enterprise by providing strategic guidance, administrative excellence, and regulatory stewardship to foster innovation and discovery that elevate Lamar University as a leader in Texas and beyond.

Bringing Southeast Texas talent to a global stage

ORSPA assists the Lamar University community in advancing research efforts, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration across campus, facilitating partnerships with external organizations, and providing essential administrative support that contributes to transforming the University, Southeast Texas, and the world.

Guided by a commitment to elevate Lamar University to the forefront of research excellence in Texas through transformative innovation and pioneering scholarship, ORSPA provides strategic leadership and regulatory stewardship to foster discovery and institutional impact.

Snapshot of FY26 Impact

35% Increase in Proposals
68% Increase in Requested Funding
$3.6M Awarded Funds
$4.7M Research Expenditures

Lamar University has access to a variety of state and federal funding programmes, as well as partnerships with industry organisations.

The University has also partnered with GrantForward to make your funding search easier. Filter opportunities by your research interests, explore new funding options, and connect with collaborators.

Work with celebrated researchers like Dr. Philip Cole

Dr. Philip Cole, Executive Director of the Center for Midstream Management and Science (CMMS), has exemplified a distinguished career of research, teaching, and leadership spanning both fundamental physics and applied energy science. In 2026 he was bestowed with the Regents’ Professor designation, one of the highest honors awarded by the Texas State University System, a recognition of a lifetime of scholarly achievement, innovation, and impact.

Throughout his career, Dr. Cole has pursued some of physics’ most fundamental questions, including the nature and origin of mass and the structure of matter. His work has earned national and international recognition, including an NSF CAREER Award, a Fulbright Scholar Award to Germany, and the Fundamental Physics Innovation Award from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Today, Dr. Cole leads CMMS, where he applies scientific principles to challenges facing the energy industry. His current work focuses on natural gas transportation, fluid flow, and hydrocarbon systems while fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and students to advance both research and workforce development.

His advice to emerging researchers:

“Nothing worthwhile comes easy. If you have vast curiosity, deep passion, and a healthy dose of what the Germans call Sitzfleisch – the ability to stay focused and persevere – you will go far. Love what you do and do what you love, and good things will ultimately come out of it.”

To learn more about Dr. Cole and the Center for Midstream Management and Science, please visit the CMMS website.