SDSU Research Foundation: Overview, Contacts & Employment

About SDSU Research Foundation

Industry

Higher Education

Website

sdsu.edu

Headquarters

5250 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, US

Company size

1001-5000

Founded

1943

Founded in 1943 and headquartered at 5250 Campanile Drive in San Diego, California, SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF) is a non-profit auxiliary organization within the higher education industry, chartered to advance the educational, research, and community service objectives of San Diego State University (SDSU). The foundation administers approximately 1,500 active grants and contracts, generating annual revenues exceeding $200 million, and employs more than 900 people, including central support staff and grant and contract project personnel, making it the largest auxiliary organization in California. Governed by a board of directors, SDSURF provides comprehensive grant lifecycle services, including proposal budgeting and submission, award administration, human resources, payroll, purchasing, and facilities support for research projects. Its staff oversees compliance with federal, state, CSU, and SDSU regulations throughout the grant process, from account setup through close-out and final audit, ensuring funds are used appropriately to meet sponsor objectives. This work supports SDSU’s standing as an R1 institution under the Carnegie Classifications, a designation reserved for doctoral universities with very high research spending and doctoral production, placing SDSU among the top 5% of research universities in the United States.