Concurrent Sessions

Academic and other research institutions are becoming more and more aware that many faculty, researchers, staff and students are not properly trained in ethics, professional standards and responsible conduct of research. This session provides a brief summary of the overall issues encountered and approaches to enhance the training and competency in research integrity and professional standards across several different types of organizations.

Learning Objectives:
1. Review overall issues surrounding ethics.
2. Address means to enhance research integrity training. 

Content Level: Basic

Track: Clinical and Translational Research 

Speaker(s):
Debra Schaller-Demers, Senior Director, Research Integrity and Compliance, NYU

**Required session for Clinical Trials Research Administration Certificate (CTRA-VII)**

**Required session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-II)**

**Required session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-III)**

Join our panel to hear how different institutions are navigating shifting federal policies and regulations and what changing funding priorities may mean for various programs. Panelists will discuss how they are thinking about these changes and what they are doing to ready their teams for potential funding shifts. They will also provide updates on major policy and legislative changes.

Learning Objectives:  

1. Identify strategies to prepare for change.
2. Learn about current policies and legislative changes impacting federal programs

Content Level: Advanced

Track: Financial and Post-Award Administration

Speaker(s): Dara Little, Associate VP for Research/Executive Director Sponsored Programs, Northern Illinois University, Distinguished Faculty, Amanda Breeden, Associate Chief, Research, Denver Health & Hospital Authority, Kathleen Halley Octa, Manager, Attain Partners, John Sites, Higher Ed Consulting Manager, Huron Consulting Group

This presentation will review the roles and responsibilities of unit/department and central administrators for proposal preparation and submission. We will identify strategies to best coordinate between offices to promote a smooth and successful application process. We will also review best practices for communicating with multiple different constituents involved in the pre-award process. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Identify pre-award roles and responsibilities of both a unit and central support office.
2. Identify best practices for communication between unit and central administrators.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Pre-Award

Speaker(s):
Theresa Couch, Director of Research Administration Operations, Michigan State University

Amanda Blank, Manager, Office of Sponsored Programs, Michigan State University 

**Required session for Introduction to Research Administration  and Management Certificate (IRAM-I)**

**Elective session for Leadership Certificate (LD-E)**

 If you are new to research administration and have heard the term "export contro"  but are not really sure what your role is in export controls compliance, this is a safe place to learn.  The session will provide beginners with a basic understanding the export controls compliance and the role that research administrators, pre- and post-award, and departmental, play in ensuring export control compliance requirements are met.  Regulations covered at a very high level will be the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC).

Content Level: Basic

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the different export controls that can arise in sponsored research.
2. Recognize the role of the research administrator in export controls compliance.

Track: Professional Development

Speaker(s): Susie Sedwick, Senior Consulting Specialist, Attain Partners

Research security initiatives in North America to-date have dedicated resources on larger institutions, with a focus on universities. However, it is well known that applied research that may be of national security importance is also advanced in smaller institutions unable to dedicate resources to safeguarding research. These smaller institutions have identified the need for a phased or modular approach to research security.  This presentation offers a modular approach to enhancing research security capacity offering a risk-based approach to addressing the areas of greatest vulnerability with limited resources. The presentation also builds on international efforts to establish a capability maturity model for research security, providing a step-wise guide to acquiring research security capacity. This presentation is based on practitioner experience and information sharing the Canadian research security community of practice. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify building blocks of a research security program.
2. Have a roadmap for assessing research security capacity.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Research Ethics and Compliance 

Speaker(s):
Jacqueline Littlewood, Director, Research Security, University of Alberta

*Elective session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-E)**

Budgets for clinical trials should cover all your costs but often, during feasibility review and/or contract review, you may find that your sponsor may not pay for certain costs. Industry contracts may not allow for your full indirect rate, but you can use a milestone (per visit) approach to invoicing, to cover true costs. What about the costs that are harder to document, such as start-up or closeout costs, or protocol and contractual amendments? On an industry contract, this is a milestone payment, but how do you cover these costs on your federal or not-for-profit studies? This session will review costs and how you can include them in your budgets, as well as an overview of hybrid agreements - where the sponsor includes milestone payments with your cost-reimbursement budget.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn different aspects of a clinical trial budget.

2. Understand the differences between budgeting for clinical trials funded by industry versus federal sources.

Content Level: Intermediate

Track: Clinical and Translational Research

Speaker(s):

Linda Dement, Grant and Finance Program Manager, Benaroya Research Institute

**Required session for Clinical Trials Research Administration Certificate (CTRA-VI)**

Learning Objectives:

1. By the end of this session/workshop, participants will be able to describe strategies to support effective interorganizational partnerships and build research administration capacity.

2. By the end of this session/workshop, participants will be able to develop new and apply provided tools to support development of research administration capacity at their institutions.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Financial and Post-Award Administration

Speaker(s):
R Brian Woodbury, Manager of Research, Southcentral Foundation

Sarah Garcia, Fiscal Officer, University of Alaska, Fairbanks

In these turbulent times, the need for authentic leadership has never been more critical. This session will explore the core principles and practices of leading with authenticity during periods of crisis or chaos.  The ability to thrive (or survive) in the face of adversity requires an understanding of authentic leadership and how risk and crisis planning can help a leader be prepared for even those situations that can never be fully anticipated.  Participants will be better equipped to guide their teams through uncertainty by fostering an ongoing culture of trust, resilience, and collective strength.

Content Level: Basic

Learning Objectives:

1. Gain a deeper understanding of authentic leadership.
2. Identify practical tools to lead confidently and effectively during times of crisis. 

Track: Pre-Award

Speaker(s): Nicole Quartiero, Director of Research Project Management, University of Notre Dame

**Required session for Leadership Certificate (LD-V)**

Learning Objectives:

1. Compare the Core Benefits and Career Impacts of an MA in Research Administration vs. CRA Certification: Identify the unique advantages and professional opportunities associated with each path.

2. Assess Personal Career Goals to Determine the Best Path: Evaluate individual career objectives and professional needs to make an informed choice between pursuing an MA or CRA for growth in research administration.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Professional Development

Speaker(s): 

Grace Fransisca, Sr. Research Operations Analyst, City of Hope

This session, "Misconduct or Crisis? Leveraging Research Communication to Guide Crisis Management in Research Institutions" will equip research administrators with the essential tools and strategies for managing crises involving research misconduct. Participants will learn to distinguish between research misconduct and broader institutional crises and develop effective and proactive communication strategies to address both. Through real-world case studies and practical insights, the session will focus on how to craft clear, transparent messages for stakeholders, maintain trust, and protect the institution's reputation during a crisis. Participants will also gain hands-on experience in creating crisis communication plans and applying crisis management frameworks tailored to research environments. By the end of the session, attendees will be able to effectively manage crisis communication, mitigate reputational damage, and improve their institution’s crisis preparedness.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and differentiate between research misconduct and broader institutional crises. Develop effective research communication strategies for crisis management. Implement crisis management protocols in response to research misconduct.

2. Manage stakeholder relationships during a crisis. Apply lessons from real-world case studies to institutional crisis scenarios. Create a comprehensive crisis communication plan for research misconduct. Evaluate and refine crisis communication efforts.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Research Ethics and Compliance 

Speaker(s):
Oma Uchendu, Research Communications / Sponsored Programs Associate, Concordia University Wisconsin 

This session provides a comprehensive overview of the key processes involved in setting up, managing, and maintaining a ClinicalTrials.gov account. With an increasing emphasis on research transparency and regulatory compliance, institutions must navigate complex registration, reporting, and update requirements to ensure adherence to federal and institutional guidelines.

Through insights from research Institutions A & B this session will explore institutional strategies for handling ClinicalTrials.gov compliance, including proactive registration workflows, data integrity checks, and results reporting processes.

Attendees will gain practical knowledge on how to optimize their ClinicalTrials.gov workflows, mitigate compliance risks, and develop institution-wide best practices that support both Principal Investigators (PIs) and administrative teams. The session will also cover common challenges in regulatory compliance, including IRB integration, discrepancies in reporting timelines, and federal enforcement measures.

By the end of this session, attendees will be equipped with actionable strategies to enhance ClinicalTrials.gov efficiency, streamline reporting obligations, and strengthen institutional policies for research transparency.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the Fundamentals of ClinicalTrials.gov Compliance:

Gain foundational knowledge on ClinicalTrials.gov registration, update, and reporting requirements, including NIH, FDA, and institutional policies.

2. Explore Institutional Approaches to ClinicalTrials.gov Management:

Learn how institutions such as WCM and URMC manage compliance through centralized tracking systems, training programs, and administrative oversight.

3. Optimize Compliance Workflows for PIs and Research Administrators:

Identify best practices for supporting researchers in meeting registration and reporting deadlines, maintaining data accuracy, and resolving discrepancies.

4. Navigate IRB Integration and Institutional Challenges:

Understand how to align ClinicalTrials.gov requirements with IRB protocols, institutional review processes, and study startup workflows.

5. Develop Strategies for Effective Results Reporting and Escalation Policies:

Learn how to implement internal reporting deadlines, escalation measures, and quality control reviews to prevent noncompliance risks and regulatory delays.

This session will provide valuable insights for research administrators, compliance officers, and PIs involved in managing ClinicalTrials.gov accounts, helping them navigate regulatory requirements efficiently while ensuring research integrity and transparency.

·        Introduction & Session Goals

·        Understanding ClinicalTrials.gov Compliance

·        Institutional Best Practices (WCM & URMC)

·        Key Challenges and Solutions

·        Optimizing IRB and ClinicalTrials.gov Integration

·        Results Reporting and Escalation Policies

·        Lessons Learned and Best Practices

·        Q&A and Discussion

Content Level: Basic

Track: Clinical and Transnational Research

Speaker(s): 

Anita Trupiano, TruResearch Consultants, Huntington

**Elective session for Clinical Trials Research Administration Certificate (CTRA-E)**

 
Content Level:  Intermediate

Track: Financial and Post-Award Administration

Speaker(s):

Nicole Carleton, Director, Program Management Office, University of Colorado Boulder

Danell Thompson, Assistant Director, Contracts , Office of Contracts & Grants, University of Colorado Boulder

**Elective session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-E)**

This session will discuss what a funding award document will include: funding term, budget, terms and conditions.  We will discuss common terms and issues in governmental (federal and state) and non-profit awards.  Research administrators will learn what information to track:  invoicing dates, carryforward requirements, prior approval requirements, report dates, etc.  The session will discuss common sections to negotiate: intellectual property, and risk management.  

 Content Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify which award details to track to keep your PI on track (report dates, invoice requirements, prior approval requirements, etc.)
2. Identify common areas to negotiate with the sponsor, such as intellectual property ownership, and risk management.  

Track: Pre-Award

Speaker(s): 

Grace Liu, Associate Director of Sponsored Programs, University of California Davis

Diverse perspectives drive innovation, improve problem-solving, and strengthen research administration. As research teams become more interdisciplinary and complex, research administrators must embrace different ways of thinking to enhance efficiency, collaboration, and decision-making. This session explores diversity as a key advantage or "super power" in our field and aims to discuss how varied backgrounds, experiences, and problem-solving approaches create stronger teams and better outcomes. Attendees will leave with practical insights on leveraging diverse thinking to navigate challenges, support researchers, and optimize research administration practices.

Content Level: Basic

Learning Objectives: 

1. Explore diversity as a strength in research administration.
2. Apply strategies to harness cognitive diversity in teams. 

Track: Professional Development 

Speaker(s): Nicole Quartiero, Director Research Project Management, University of Notre Dame

**Required session for Leadership Certificate (LD-III)**

Content Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives: 

1.  See the relationship between research security, research ethics and research integrity.

2. Identify specific case studies or examples where research ethics and research security intersect.

Track: Research Ethics and Compliance 

Speaker(s):

Jaqueline Littlewood, Director, Research Security, University of Alberta

This session is applicable for all studies (i.e., investigator initiated, industry funded, foundation funded or federally funded).  The goal is to understand the costs and logistics required for successful study conduct.  We start by ensuring interest in the study design and research questions and assessing the potential participant population.  The next steps are ensure that there are proper resources (i.e., study staffing including coordinators, investigators, research assistants; Institutional Review Board (IRB) and contract review teams, statisticians, etc.) to conduct the study; proper facilities (access to investigational pharmacy; inpatient or ambulatory facilities, etc.) and equipment (centrifuge, freezers, access to MRI or CT equipment).   Also under consideration is whether the study utilizes proper mechanism for scientific review to ensure validity of the research questions.  The course will emphasize proper financial feasibility.

Content Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives: 

1. Is the study answering relevant research questions through rigorous methodologies?
2. Analysis of the fiscal resources required for successful study conduct.
3. Is this study appropriate for your patient populations?

Track: Clinical and Translational Research 

Speaker(s):

Lisa Weaver, Clinical Research Manager, University of Utah Health 

**Required session for Clinical Trials Research Administration Certificate (CTRA-III)**

In the evolving landscape of research administration, institutions are continually seeking ways to enhance efficiency, compliance, standardization, and support for their research communities. One approach gaining traction is the centralization of post-award research administration functions. This concurrent speaker session will delve into the multifaceted implications of centralizing these functions, offering a balanced exploration of its potential benefits and challenges. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of what centralizing post-award research administration entails, including the scope of activities typically involved and the structural changes required. The session will highlight the potential advantages of centralization, such as improved consistency in processes, enhanced compliance with regulatory requirements, and the potential for cost savings through streamlined operations. Speakers will share lessons learned from their institutions that have successfully implemented centralized models, illustrating the positive impacts on efficiency and service quality. Centralization is not without its drawbacks. This session will address common concerns, including the risk of reduced flexibility, potential delays in service delivery, and the challenges of managing change within an institution. Attendees will hear from speakers who have navigated these challenges, providing insights into strategies for mitigating negative impacts.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the benefits of centralization and the steps to successfully implement a centralized model for post-award administration.

2. Identify potential risks and challenges of centralization and ways to mitigate these.

Content Level: Intermediate

Track: Financial and Post-Award Administration

Speaker(s):

Tyler Tulloch, Senior Consultant, Attain Partners

Staci Starck, Senior Admin Business Professional, Michigan State University

Learning Objectives:

1. Navigate SciENcv to Meet NIH’s New Compliance Requirements: Use SciENcv’s features to create, update, and export NIH-compliant biosketches and other support documents.

2. Implement Best Practices for Efficiency and Accuracy: Apply strategies to keep biosketches and other support documentation up-to-date and accurate in line with NIH guidelines.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Pre-Award

Speaker(s):

Grace Fransisca, Sr. Research Operations Analyst, City of Hope

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the 4 cornerstones of well-being and actions each person can take to pursue their personal and professional wellness.

2. Independently practice well-being attributes and leave with tangible resources to activate an individual well-being plan.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Professional Development

Speaker(s):

Julie Benson. Associate Director, Alaska INBRE

**Required session for Leadership Certificate (LD-VII)**

Over the last few years, conflicts of interest (COI) and conflicts of commitment (COC) in research have generated headlines, spurred organizational change and caught the attention of academic and governmental leadership. COI administrators and research leaders are challenged to mitigate compliance risk, navigate conflicting or nonexistent regulations, and protect the institution’s reputations – all while minimizing faculty burden. This session will provide a review and discussion on approaches and challenges in managing COI and COC. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand and identify conflicts of interest and commitment and the COI/COC regulatory landscape.

2. Understand strategies for building and strengthening COI programs.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Research Ethics and Compliance

Speaker(s):
Nicole Jacobs, Higher Education Consulting Manager, Huron Consulting Group

Kathryn Reitz; Director, Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), Banner Health

**Required session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-II)**

**Required session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-III)**

**Required session for Leadership Certificate (LD-IX)**

The most recent updates to the Common Rule have brought significant attention to the complexities of managing biorepositories and associated data in clinical research. This session will provide research administrators involved in clinical trials with practical insights and strategies related to biorepository and data management, including: 1) Exploring various biorepository models and their applications; 2) Best practices for effective biorepository management; 3) Navigating regulatory requirements, including those from Health and Human Services (HHS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); 5) Addressing the implications for informed consent, privacy, and data confidentiality; 5) Analyzing bio-specimen research scenarios to anticipate both current and evolving regulatory landscapes.

Content Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives:

1. Explore diverse models and strategies for biorepository and data management in clinical trials.

2. Understand the regulatory frameworks that influence bio-specimen and data management in clinical research.

Track: Clinical and Translational Research 

Speaker(s): 

Phil Cola, Professor of Management, Departments of Design and Innovation and Organizational Behavior, Case Western Reserve University

Maddie Williams, Senior Director, Huron Consulting Group

**Required session for Clinical Trials Research Administration Certificate (CTRA-IV)**

Cost transfers are an after-the-fact reallocation of personnel and non-personnel costs from one project to another. Cost transfers are utilized for several reasons, including error correction. According to the NIH Grant Policy Statement, grantees need to maintain thorough documentation of cost transfers for audit or other review, and frequent cost transfers can be an indication of poor internal controls. This presentation explores common strategies for preventing unnecessary cost transfers during the pre-award and award setup stages, highlighting key resources and documents that provide the information needed to implement these strategies. For example, you can review the terms in your Notice of award to confirm the budget period, award restrictions, and detailed budget to help monitor expenses with the PI, rebudget as necessary and as allowable, schedule payroll actions (including setting reminders to stop payroll), and track and approve non-personnel expenses. The presentation will conclude with an activity where attendees will create their own checklists leveraging their existing institutional resources (e.g., internal systems, subaward expense monitoring tools, ongoing meetings and communications with PIs, calendar reminders, approvals processes, etc.) to prevent cost transfers.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn what pre-award and award stage resources and documents are available to prevent cost transfers.

2. Create a broad framework that leverages institutional resources and systems to implement what is learned.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Financial and Post-Award Administration

Speaker(s):
Pooja Sathyanarayanan, Research Operations Analyst, City of Hope

**Elective session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-E)**

A well-defined and clear proposal submission can significantly impact the performance of a sponsored project, both programmatically and financially. This session will focus on the various phases of a sponsored project, highlighting the components of the pre-award process that facilitate award setup, invoicing, projections, and project closeout. Additionally, the session will explore strategies for integrating pre-award and post-award activities and personnel to foster collaboration. As these phases of the project lifecycle are interconnected, research administrators can support one another to enhance proposal quality and project management. By working together efficiently, we can reduce administrative burdens and increase compliance.

Content Level: Basic

Learning Objectives:

1. After this session, participants should be able to describe the activities of pre-award and post-award that make up the research administration life cycle.
2. After this session, participants should be able to determine pre-award approaches to prevent post-award issues and how post-award can help pre-award processes.

Track: Pre-Award

Speaker(s): Katherine Bui, Clinical Trial Process Manager, Stanford University School of Medicine, Janet Stoeckert, Senior Administrative Director, Research Administration, University of Southern California

This presentation offers practical tips for managing up in research administration, focusing on building strong, effective relationships with supervisors and key stakeholders. It emphasizes the importance of understanding your supervisor's priorities, communication style, and expectations, while proactively anticipating their needs and offering solutions to challenges. Key strategies include clear and concise communication, aligning with organizational goals, maintaining transparency, and providing data-driven insights to support decision-making. By practicing empathy, being flexible, and fostering collaboration, research administrators can navigate complex environments more effectively, contributing to both individual and organizational success.

Learning Objectives:

1. Tips on how to best “manage” your supervisor to aid them in their success.

2. Tips on how to best “manage” your supervisor to aid them in your success.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Professional Development

Speaker(s):

Cecilia Canadas, Pre-Award Research Administrator, UCLA

Melissa Melgar, Research Administrator, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

**Required session for Leadership Certificate (LD-VI)**

Research security is no longer just a compliance checkbox — it's a crucial part of protecting innovation in a more connected climate. This presentation will offer a practical overview of what NSPM-33 means, why it matters and the risks of non-compliance. We’ll explore ways to help your faculty navigate disclosure requirements without derailing their research. We'll break down what NSPM-33 means, what’s required, and how to avoid the lions, tigers, and bears.

Content Level: Basic

Learning Objectives: 

Content Level: Intermediate 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Understand the Key Requirements of NSPM-33 –gain an understanding of the National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33), including its disclosure requirements, compliance expectations, and impact on federally funded research.
2. Identify Risks and Best Practices for Compliance –recognize the risks associated with non-compliance, as well as strategies and institutional resources available to help faculty navigate research security requirements without disrupting their work.

Track: Research Ethics and Compliance 

Speaker(s): Tim Gehret, Attorney/Associate Director, Gorgia State University

**Required session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-III)**

Clinical trials must comply with the Good Clinical Practice guidelines (GCP). Unfortunately, the GCP is not well defined. This session will review the Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, and major international regulations and guidelines, as well as other institutions governing clinical research. Participants will learn how the actions of regulatory agencies affect budget development, contract negotiations, and the way studies are conducted. Topics will include the ethical origins of the GCP, historic milestones and their regulatory significance, and discussion of best practices to enhance regulatory compliance.

Content Level: Basic

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify three important documents that form the core ethical basis for the regulatory environment.
2. Identify three best practices for improving regulatory compliance in clinical trials.

Track: Clinical and Translational Research 

Speaker(s): Amanda Breeden, Associate Chief, Research, Denver Health & Hospital Authority

**Required session for Clinical Trials Research Administration Certificate (CTRA-V)**

Learning Objectives:

1. Master Key Components of Impactful Project Kick-Offs: Participants will learn how to design and lead kick-off meetings that set clear agendas, align objectives, define roles, and establish project norms to enable effective collaboration.

2. Apply Project Kick-Off Tools and Checklists: Participants will gain hands-on knowledge of tools, checklists, and a detailed agenda presentation template that structures the kick-off process, reduce oversight, and improve engagement in any meeting form.

Content Level: Intermediate

Track: Financial and Post-Award Administration

Speaker(s):
Nicole Carleton, Director, Program Management Office, University of Colorado Boulder

Nicole Quartiero, Director, Research Project Management, University of Notre Dame

**Required session for Introduction to Research Administration  and Management Certificate (IRAM-IV)**

We are so focused on large extramural grants, that we often overlook the other sources of research funding, including: other extramural grants, philanthropy, foundation grants, research contracts and internal grants. This workshop follows the principal of diversifying your portfolio and looks at these other sources of research funding and the nuances of these opportunities. Participants will take closer looks at these other sources of funding and learn how the better position their institution to not put all their proverbial eggs in one basket.  We’ll cover finding the funding, applying for, and managing these different pots of gold. We’ll also cover a variety of different internal funding mechanisms that could be started at your institution; if you don’t already have them.

Content Level: Basic-Intermediate

Learning Objectives: 

1. Learn the unique aspects of funding from non-traditional sources.
2. How to seek, find and apply for research funding from sources other than large extramural grants.

Track: Pre-Award

Speaker(s): Melissa Mingler, Business Manager, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

SRAI is comprised of thousands of members with lifetimes of experience, yet many are tentative to present their knowledge – or struggle to figure out how their specific expertise would be interesting to other colleagues.  Many don’t know where to begin.  Most fear death by boredom or bullet-points, or presenting on a topic others do not find useful. In this talk, we aim to share the three magic ingredients of successful presentations, sharing simple but powerful techniques to understand your real objectives, work out what to say to achieve them, and formulate those ideas into a compelling narrative and great presentation. No magic wand required!

Learning Objectives:

1. Competency in Scoping and SOW Development: Hands-on experience with a detailed SOW template, highlighting essential elements like objectives, deliverables, timelines, and compliance requirements critical to sponsor and institutional alignment.

2. Prime vs. Subcontractor Considerations: Key differences in scoping and management when the university is a prime contractor vs. a sub, including compliance, accountability, and scope adaptation.

Content Level: Intermediate

Track: Pre-Award

Speaker(s):
Mark Lucas, Chief Administrative Officer, UCLA Depts of Neurobiology & Computational Medicine, Distinguished Faculty

Heather Hazzard, Heather Hazzard, Chief of Staff for the Institute of Quantitative Health Science and Engineering and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Michigan State University

The most important part of any proposal or award is the budget, however, it can be the most intimidating part of pre/post award for new administrators. Starting at the beginning of the process, this presentation will demystify the overall creation of budgets for sponsored research. We’ll discuss routine and non-routine budget elements, direct vs. indirect costs, how to get information you need plus common stumbling blocks along the way to give attendees the building blocks needed for preparing budgets at their own institutions. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Learn common budgeting categories and items in creating sponsored budgets

2. Understand the difference between direct and indirect costs

3. Identify stumbling blocks in budget creation and implement strategies for mitigation

Content Level: Basic

Track: Financial and Post-Award Administration

Speaker(s):

Nicholas Prieur, Research Administration Senior Manager, University of Michigan

**Required session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-IV)**

This session is designed specifically for Research Administrators who support faculty members/researcher in securing NIH funding. It will provide practical strategies to improve pre-award grant development, optimize budget planning, ensure compliance with NIH policies, and troubleshoot common submission challenges. Participants will gain actionable insights to streamline processes, minimize errors, and enhance proposal success rates. The session will include real-world case studies, best practices, and interactive discussions tailored for research administrators working with NIH grants.

Content Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the key components of NIH grant mechanisms and policies to effectively guide faculty through the pre-award and submission process.
2. Apply best practices in budget development, compliance checks, and post-submission support to improve NIH proposal success rates and streamline administrative workflows.

Track: Pre-Award

Speaker(s): 

Janet Stoeckert, Senior Administrative Director, Research Administration, University of Southern California, Brooke Ha, Associate Director, Pre-Award, Office of Sponsored Programs, University of Arkansas

**Elective session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-E)**

This is a panel discussion to hear from research administrators in the region their pain points to implementing process improvement. After a brief overview of lean research administration, hear briefly from three very differently sized and structured RA shops on their process improvement / lean journeys - Denver Health, an academic health care delivery hospital; Notre Dame, and University of Colorado, Denver - Anschutz. And then we want to hear from you! The feedback gathered here will inform the NSF GRANTED planning grant for a Lean Research Model of Practice.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand conceptually 'lean research administration'.

2. Identify where to find a community of RA practitioners invested in improving processes.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Professional Development

Speaker(s):
Amanda Breeden, Associate Chief, Research, Denver Health & Hospital Authority

Leah Emerick, Operational Excellence Partner, Office of Vice Chancellor of Research

**Required session for Leadership Certificate (LD-I)**

This 60-minute session will provide the participants with insights on WHY it is so important to be effectively managing their subawards, whether nationally or internationally. The session will start with a short case (15 min) to provoke critical thinking and understanding of the benefits of subaward management. It will then be followed with a 30-min presentation highlighting some intermediate to advanced concepts of Subaward, the process, the critical areas to be kept in mind when managing subawards, and the costs associated with bad subaward management. The session will keep last 15 mins for open discussion and questions/answers.

Content Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the process and dynamics of subwards and subawards management.
2.  Understand the benefits and costs associated with optimal subawards management or vice versa.

Track: Research Ethics and Compliance 

Speaker(s):

Mir Khan, Former Director, Research, Aga Khan University, Distinguished Faculty

**Elective session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-E)**

You have received the notice of award or agreement or subcontract, but how are you going to manage it? Is it a cost reimbursement award or is it a milestone based award, or both? Is it a milestone based award but with limitations in place? How do you ensure that you are spending in line with the award - and what language to watch for?

Learning Objectives:

1. Understanding the differences in different types of funding.

2. Understanding different types of contract language that can limit your ability to use/spend your award.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Financial and Post-Award Administration

Speaker(s):
Linda Dement, Grant and Finance Program Manager, Benaroya Research Institute

**Required session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-IV)**

Grant proposals can often feel extremely daunting, like climbing Mount Everest. They come with unclear guidelines and expectations for reaching the summit. From a project management lens, this presentation will help research administrators navigate the pre-award cycle by providing a framework on how to manage the lifecycle proposal process from solicitation to submission. In addition, this presentation will provide timelines/checklists, tips and tricks, and pitfall mitigation in order to help RAs at all experience levels effectively manage this often complicated and unclear process.

Learning Objectives:

1.Effectively manage the proposal submission process from solicitation to submission.

2.Identify possible pitfalls during the process and have effective mitigation strategies for them.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Pre-Award

Speaker(s):
Nicholas Prieur, Research Administration Senior Manager, University of Michigan

*Elective session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-E)*

Over the past few years, many research organizations have experienced high turnover, low retention, and an inability to fill open positions. A 2023 research study examined the factors that drive research administrators (RA) to remain at their organizations or motivate them to leave for new positions. The study results provided insight into what organizations can offer to retain RA talent as well as expand career development and opportunities for existing RAs.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify three retention strategies to keep RA talent.

2. Identify three key motivators that drive RA talent to leave.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Professional Development 

Speaker(s):
Meaghan Ventura, Senior Sponsored Projects Officer, Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital

Kathleen Halley-Octa, Manager, Attain Partners

**Required session for Leadership Certificate (LD-IV)**

Institutions that accept federal funding for research must comply with applicable federal research misconduct policies and regulations, and the recently evolving climate regarding research misconduct matters has increased the pressures that universities face when potential issues arise. Institutions need to have policies and procedures that are designed to ensure regulatory compliance, as well as the independent, objective and thorough review of potential issues. This session will provide an overview of the recently revised federal requirements for research misconduct proceedings, issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Office of Research Integrity in September 2024. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the revised research misconduct regulations. 

2. Understand approaches for ensuring compliance with the revised regulations. 

Content Level: Intermediate

Track: Research Ethics and Compliance

Speaker(s):
Nicole Jacobs, Higher Education Consulting Manager, Huron Consulting Group

**Required session for Leadership Certificate (LD-VIII)**

Learning Objectives:

1.Gain experience with practical, scenario-based strategies that can help them navigate real-world challenges. Learn strategic practices to shift from reactive to proactive fund management, improving outcomes and reducing stress.

2. Develop a customized time management toolkit that they can use immediately to organize, prioritize, and track tasks.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Financial and Post-Award Administration

Speaker(s):
Nubia Andrade, Senior Contracts and Grants Manager, UCLA

Cecilia Canadas, Pre-Award Research Administrator, UCLA

**Elective session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-E)**

Once a funding opportunity is identified, creating an appropriate and relevant budget in coordination with your faculty is a crucial step in submitting a successful proposal. We will cover basic elements that should be covered in your budget and budget justifications, review generally allowable budget categories to ensure compliance, and provide tips on collaborating with your PIs to ensure accurate depictions of anticipated project costs.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the basic elements that should be included in the budget and budget justifications. 

2. Gain knowledge of allowable vs unallowable costs.

3. Ensure successful collaboration with faculty to ensure accurate communication of a proposal’s budget needs.

Content Level: Basic 

Track: Pre-Award

Speaker(s):
Grace Liu, Sr. Industry Contracts Officer, Stanford University

Melissa Melgar, Research Administrator, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

**Required session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-IV)**

This 60-minute session will provide the participants with what it takes to develop a high performing team, alongside strengthening existing teams to inculcate a culture that fosters positivity, growth, challenge and output. The session will start with an exercise for all, which will provide them with a life learning lesson of corporate team development and strengthening. The session will then have a short 30 min presentation, which will augment their knowledge on dynamic teams, how to develop a high performing team, team dynamics, team roles, stages of team development, and sustainability. The session will also provide a 15-min slot for open discussions and questions/answers.

Content Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives: 

1. Understand the steps and dynamics of developing a high performing team.
2. Understand the benefits of developing a great team and how best it can help achieve the individual, team, and organizational goals.

Track: Professional Development 

Speaker(s): Mir Khan, Former Director, Research, Aga Khan University, Distinguished Faculty

**Required session for Leadership Certificate (LD-II)**

Regulatory documentation is crucial for clinical research, yet it often falls behind patient-focused tasks and recruitment efforts. This leads to a reactive approach, with teams scrambling to complete necessary documentation before implementation of amendments or monitoring visits.

This presentation will explore strategies to proactively manage regulatory related activities. Key areas of focus will include:

• Implementing Comprehensive Checklists: Utilizing checklists helps minimize errors and ensures all regulatory activities are completed throughout the study lifecycle.
• Establishing Clear Naming Conventions: Consistent naming conventions improve file organization, facilitate efficient data retrieval, and enhance overall productivity.
• Documenting Training Effectively: Recognizing and documenting the training efforts of the Principal Investigator (PI) and study team not only ensures compliance but also documents the effort that is put forth for a study.

By implementing these strategies, research teams can transform regulatory related activities from a burdensome task into a well-integrated and efficient part of the research process.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Learn Relevant Regulations: Learning relevant CFR and GCP regulations  will empower individuals to proactively address regulatory inquiries and ensure adherence to the requirements

2. Develop a Standardized Binder Template: Creating a consistent regulatory binder template improves efficiency and ensures all essential information is readily available.

Content Level: Intermediate

Track: Clinical and Translational Research 

Speaker(s): 

Lisa Weaver, Clinical Research Manager, University of Utah

Lindsey Waddoups, University of Utah

**Elective session for Clinical Trials Research Administration Certificate (CTRA-E)**

In this session, we will cover all things Subaward Agreements. We will discuss the process of issuing a Subaward Agreement, institutional responsibilities per 2 CFR 200.332, and best practices for managing projects with Subaward Agreements. This session will also touch on special topics in the subaward space, including reporting under the Federal Funding and Transparency Act and special considerations for foreign subrecipients as outlined in NOT-OD-23-182

Content Level: Basic

Learning Objectives: 

Attendees will learn

1. What a Subaward Agreement is
2. The regulations that govern subaward agreements
3. Best practices for subrecipient monitoring

Track: Financial and Post-Award Administration

Speaker(s): Megan Reed, Sr. Grants and Contracts Administrator, Office of Sponsored Research, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope

As many universities work towards creating a data culture, we, as research administrators, have access to a world of information about proposal submissions, award management, and regulatory compliance that can help shape our decision-making. Since most data collection efforts are owned by central offices, there are often gaps in data that might be impactful to those in departments. How can we identify what data is important to departments and go about filling the gaps? During this session, we will discuss how leaders in departmental or college-level offices can harness the power of data to advocate for their faculty and staff, better allocate resources, and plan for the future. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the importance of fostering a data culture at your university. Have tools to advocate for the data department and college research administrators need to make decisions. 

2. Harness the power of data to advocate for their faculty and staff, better allocate resources, and plan for the future.

Content Level: Intermediate

Track: Pre-Award

Speaker(s):
Kathleen Halley-Octa, Manager, Attain Partners

Theresa Couch, Dir of Research Admin Operations  , College of Human Medicine & Office of Health Sciences, Michigan State University

**Required session for Leadership Certificate (LD-I)**

Excellent customer service is critical to research administration success, but that skill is often overlooked as secondary to achieving project results. From a bartender turned research administrator’s perspective, this presentation will highlight customer service skills learned in the service industry that are highly relevant to effective research administration. The presentation will detail situations where the skills are transferable between professions, tips on dealing with a multitude of customers, and discuss barriers that can disrupt customer service excellence. Just remember - the customer is NOT always right!

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn customer service skills highly transferrable to research administration.

2. Mitigate barriers that disrupt customer service excellence.

Content Level: Basic

Track: Professional Development

Speaker(s):

Nicholas Prieur, Research Administration Senior Manager, University of Michigan

*Elective session for Introduction to Research Administration and Management Certificate (IRAM-E)*

**Elective session for Leadership Certificate (LD-E)**