I second Joan's comment, our department and institution were fantastic about pre- and post-award logistics. I am guessing that a big part of it was the culture of the administrators in the department. I don't know for sure, but I had the impression that they felt like part of the department, and that their job was to make things easier for the faculty--rather than feeling like faculty were a thorn in their side. Also I think there was a sense of agency among administrators, at least until they instituted WORKDAY!!
Yep. Institutional structure, culture, and management matters - I think you’re right on that diagnosis.
I second Joan's comment, our department and institution were fantastic about pre- and post-award logistics. I am guessing that a big part of it was the culture of the administrators in the department. I don't know for sure, but I had the impression that they felt like part of the department, and that their job was to make things easier for the faculty--rather than feeling like faculty were a thorn in their side. Also I think there was a sense of agency among administrators, at least until they instituted WORKDAY!!
Both places I have been a professor at have been fantastic in this regard.