Workshops

As research administrators responsible for all institutional research and related activities involving externally and internally sponsored projects, it is important to be conversant with a myriad of topics related to managing sponsored projects. Having an understanding of financial management is an important area for those who are in  pre-award and post-award, as well as compliance. As a result, this workshop will highlight the roles and responsibilities of the administrative/scientific staff while identifying the types of funding instruments institutions receive to support their research programs. The workshop will also highlight the administrative requirements specifically outlined within 2CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) with in-depth discussions surrounding topics such as compensation, prior approval requests from sponsor, re-budgeting, cost transfers, cost sharing and standards regarding documentation for all expenditures and various ways to manage based on shared experiences.

Content Level: Basic

Learning Objectives: 

1. As research administrators responsible for all institutional research and related activities involving externally and internally sponsored projects, it is important to be conversant with a myriad of topics related to managing sponsored projects. 

2. Understand ways to assure compliance with award requirements throughout the projects duration, closeout, and beyond.

Track: Financial and Post-Award Administration

Speaker(s): 
Amanda Seymour, CRA, Manager, Attain Partners, Debra Murray, Assistant Vice President - Sponsored Programs Accounting and Compliance, University of Maryland, College Park

**Required workshop for Financial Management Certificate **

Content Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives: 

1. Identify strategies to create a high-performing multigenerational workforce.

2. Leverage the skills of four generations to create a more competitive workforce.

Track: Professional Development

Speaker(s): 
Judy Bristow, VP Grants & Compliance, Louisville Healthcare CEO Council (CEOc), Andrea Deaton, Consulting Specialist, Attain Partners, Distinguished Faculty, John Hedberg, Senior Associate, Attain Partners, Farrell Rapp, Director of Research Services, University of Wyoming, Nick Sheppard, Sponsored Project Analyst, University of South Alabama

Description:   When research administrators in pre-award offices help new investigators learn how to apply for grant funding and more experienced investigators update their grant skills and knowledge, they must be able to assist investigators in understanding the different types of proposals; how to read and interpret proposal guidelines; how to plan the proposal, involving timelines, partners; what proposal parts or sections are expected, how to address them, and the need to relate the various sections to each other. In addition, this workshop will focus on sections of the proposal: goals and objectives, problem/need statement, methodology/project description, evaluation, and abstract. It will also include incorporating timelines and budget justifications; using charts and tables to explain complicated data and save space; instruction on clear and effective writing; editing for formatting, grammar, and content; and tips on proposal writing style to make proposals more fundable.

Content Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives:

1.  Become familiar with types of proposals, Interpret and address proposal guidelines.
2.  Learn tips for an efficient and collaborative proposal management process.
3.  Understand effective writing strategies.

Track: Research Ethics and Compliance

Speaker(s): Debra Sokalczuk, Proposal and Award Coordinator, Pensylvania State University, Renee Vaughan, CRU Financial Practice Manager, Duke University, Distinguished Faculty, Alicia Wondoloski, Director of Research Development and Administration, Pennsylvania State University, Debra Sokalczuk, Proposal and Award Coordinator, Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg

**Required workshop for Pre-Award Certificate **

As research administrators responsible for all institutional research and related activities involving externally and internally sponsored projects, it is important to be conversant with a myriad of topics related to managing sponsored projects. Having an understanding of financial management is an important area for those who are in  pre-award and post-award, as well as compliance. As a result, this workshop will highlight the roles and responsibilities of the administrative/scientific staff while identifying the types of funding instruments institutions receive to support their research programs. The workshop will also highlight the administrative requirements specifically outlined within 2CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) with in-depth discussions surrounding topics such as compensation, prior approval requests from sponsor, re-budgeting, cost transfers, cost sharing and standards regarding documentation for all expenditures and various ways to manage based on shared experiences.

Content Level: Basic

Learning Objectives: 

1. As research administrators responsible for all institutional research and related activities involving externally and internally sponsored projects, it is important to be conversant with a myriad of topics related to managing sponsored projects. 

2. Understand ways to assure compliance with award requirements throughout the projects duration, closeout, and beyond.

Track: Financial and Post-Award Administration

Speaker(s): 
Amanda Seymour, CRA, Manager, Attain Partners, Debra Murray, Assistant Vice President - Sponsored Programs Accounting and Compliance, University of Maryland, College Park

Comprehensive post-award research administration requires a strong grasp of financial principles to ensure proper accounting and accuracy in institutional financial statements. This session will provide an overview of essential accounting concepts, tailored to the needs of post-award professions, and provide you with a solid foundation in basic accounting principles.  We’ll break down complex accounting principles into easy-to-understand concepts and then move into practical exercises to solidify the new knowledge.   
We will delve into key concepts such as:

Accrual vs. Cash Basis Accounting: 
- Distinguishing between the two methods and their relevance to research administration 
- Recognizing the timing differences in revenue and expense recognition 
- Understanding the impact of accrual and cash basis accounting on financial statements
Revenue Recognition: 
- Understanding the timing and criteria for recognizing revenue from grants and contracts 
- Differentiating between earned revenue and unearned revenue 
- Implications of revenue recognition on financial reporting and compliance
Fund Accounting:
- Exploring the concept of fund accounting and its application to research grants 
- Differentiating between restricted and unrestricted funds 
- Understanding the importance of fund balance and its impact on financial reporting
Debits and Credits:
- Grasping the fundamental concept of double-entry accounting 
- Identifying the impact of debits and credits on accounts 
- Applying debits and credits to common post-award transactions

Content Level: Basic

Learning Objectives: 

1. Understand the fundamental accounting principles relevant to post-award research administration, apply revenue recognition principles to research grants and contracts.

2. Distinguish between restricted and unrestricted funds, and understanding the impact of debits and credits on accounts.

Track: Financial and Post-Award Administration

Speaker(s):

This session will address proposal budget development and the grant application and proposal submission. It will address concepts of comprehensive budgeting construction as well as offer practical advice for identifying budget components and how to assemble them. The application and calculation of Facilities and Administration (F&A) costs will be reviewed, as well as advanced topics such as per-patient costs, cost sharing, salary caps, subcontracts, participant support costs, fabrication costs, and consultants. Participants are expected to bring a calculator and will engage in a budget development exercise. We will also include NIH.

Content Level: Basic

Learning Objectives: 

1. A framework for guiding investigators to successful proposal activities. To identify the major factors in an effective budget

2. How to build a basic budget

Track: Pre-Award

Speaker(s): 
Pamela Montgomery, Assistant Director, Finance & Administration, Kimberly Mckoy, Associate Director for Contracts and Grants, North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University

**Required workshop for Pre-Award Certificate **