The Ohio Chapter of the Society for Research Administrators International was founded in 1997 under the leadership of Philip Corcoran, then with the Office of Research Administration at Case Western Reserve University.

The first chapter meeting was held July 18, 1997, at the Ramada University Hotel, Columbus, Ohio. Speakers included Mr. William F. Schweri, Director of External Affairs, University of Kentucky and President, Society of Research Administrators; Dr. Tony Boccanfuso, Director, SPAR, Bowling Green State University; Rita Van Buren, Associate Director, Office of Industrial Research and Development, OSURF; Teresa Black, Fiscal Officer, College of Social Work, OSU, & Pricilla North, Administrative Associate, College of Medicine, OSU; Norman Pollack, Director of Intellectual Property, University of Cincinnati; Dean Fear, CPA, CISA, Associate Director, Office of Internal Audits, CWRU; Jennifer Morgan, Director, Office of Grants and contracts, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences; and Sujata Gamage, Ohio Board of Regents.