SPF's primary mission is to provide the Cal Poly Humboldt community with professional and accessible pre- and post-award grant and contract services. SPF administers virtually all externally-funded grants/contracts and submits proposals to external funding agencies on behalf of Cal Poly Humboldt.

Cal Poly Humboldt established the Alistair and Judith McCrone Graduate Fellowship Fund in October 2001. The fund was created to honor Dr. and Mrs. McCrone, who together shepherded Cal Poly Humboldt and its students for over a quarter of a century.