Special Interest Groups (SIGS)

Bring Your Research Management Community Together

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) give SRAI members the chance to bring the spirit of an SRAI conference closer to home. These regional gatherings, hosted by members at their own institutions or within their communities, offer a more local way to connect, learn, and share ideas. Whether held in person or virtually, SIGs create space for collaboration and professional growth among colleagues who might otherwise never cross paths.

As the host, you set the vision and lead the planning, while SRAI supports your success through promotion, registration and financial management, and accredited educational credit. Together, we make it easy to turn a great idea into a meaningful professional experience for your region.

Interested in proposing a SIG?

Please contact your Section Immediate Past President to begin the application process.

Find your Section Past President 

Getting Started with SIGs

Curious about how SIGs work? These common questions will help you understand how to plan, apply, and make the most of your event.

SIGs are member-led initiatives that convene targeted communities around shared interests. Any SRAI member through their Section Leadership support may sponsor a SIG event that advances SRAI’s mission and delivers high-quality, practical learning either as an in-person meeting or a virtual program.

Submit your application to your Section’s designated Representative through your Section Immediate Past President. A complete submission includes:

  • Completed SIG Application
  • Budget
  • If a repeat event: a brief summary & financial report demonstrating prior outcomes Validity: Approvals are valid for one year; SIGs must reapply annually. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis.

  • Registration management (including nametag production)
  • Host meeting website pages
  • Send marketing emails to SRAI database
  • Education Credit tracking and Certificate of Attendance
  • Post conference evaluations
  • Zoom Login/Support (for virtual events only)

  • Membership: SRAI membership is required for all registrants. (Membership is not required for speaker-only badges.) Members may attend SIG events in any Section.
  • Post-event reports:
    • Within 30 days: 1-page summary of successes/lessons learned plus a financial report (from the SIG Point of Contact to the Section Representative)
    • Within 60 days: A Catalyst article suitable for publication highlighting the program
  • Review & oversight: Section Executive Committee reviews submissions for mission alignment and financial viability; approved proposals are forwarded to the SRAI Treasurer for fiscal review. The Section’s appointed Representative is the primary contact for communications and financial matters.