Getting to Know: The Grants Office

Headed by Monika Incze, the pre-award side of the Grants Office provides administration support to School of Engineering faculty and researchers pursuing external funding from proposal planning through submission. Her team works closely with Rutgers Sponsored Programs within the Office for Research, which gives the final institutional review and submits funding applications on behalf of the university.  

Monika Incze
Associate Director, Grants and Contracts Administration

How long have you had your job?

I've been working in research administration for 26 years and have supported SoE for nearly 17 years.

What is your current role?

I oversee and support my team while maintaining a hands-on role in proposal development and submission. I help investigators navigate sponsor guidelines, institutional requirements, coordinate with central university offices—and keep our team and faculty informed about changing sponsor requirements.

What are your biggest challenges?

These are challenging times for research, and securing funding for faculty has become much more difficult over the past two years. It's especially tough for junior faculty who are working toward tenure and trying to establish their research programs.

What is your team's big picture goal?

Together, our team manages the administrative side of pursuing external funding. Our goal is to make the process as streamlined as possible, so investigators can focus on the scientific and programmatic aspects of their applications.

How many grant applications does your team support?

We ultimately support approximately 375 application submissions each year. The proposals vary in size and scope—we may submit a $50,000 application as well as a $7 million one. 

What do you most enjoy about your job?

I most enjoy working with our faculty and ensuring they have the support they need throughout the proposal submission process, with the ultimate goal of securing the funding needed to advance their research. 

Do you have any hobbies?

I enjoy gardening and cooking.

What do you most like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with my family and my two rescue dogs from St. Hubert's Shelter, Zander and Atlas. 

What is a surprising thing about you?

I've been making sourdough bread for more than 10 years, using the same starter that I made myself and have kept alive all these years. I also enjoy experimenting with different types of flour, grains, and seeds to create different flavors and textures.

Alejandro Bonfrisco
Grant Operations Specialist

How long have you had your job?

A little over a year.

What is your role?

I support faculty and research teams throughout the grant proposal process by preparing and reviewing proposal submissions, developing budgets, coordinating compliance requirements, and ensuring applications meet sponsor and university guidelines.

What do you most enjoy so far?

I enjoy helping researchers secure funding that supports innovative research and contributes to meaningful discoveries and advancements.

Do you have any hobbies?

I enjoy playing soccer. 

What is a surprising thing about you?

I was born in Uruguay, and soccer has always been a big part of my life. 

How do you like to spend your spare time?

Spending time with family and friends and watching sports. 

Jen Rembay
Grant Operations Specialist

How long have you had this job?

I've been in my current role for a little over a year and have been with Rutgers for five years. 

What do you most enjoy about it?

I like that every day is different and brings new challenges.

Do you have any hobbies?

I enjoy baking and hiking.

What do you most like to do in your spare time?

When I have free time, I usually help out at my family's restaurant. 

What is something people don't know about you?

I've dreamed of becoming an Olympic gymnast since I was a little girl.