Research Project Management Certificate

About the Research Project Management Certificate

The Research Project Management (RPM) Certificate is designed to equip research program and project managers, administrators, and researchers to launch, lead, and adapt varying complexity levels of research projects and multi-institutional collaborations. The curriculum adapts core project management disciplines to the realities of research, which include scientific uncertainty, regulatory obligations, distributed teams, and sponsor accountability, while integrating governance, risk, financial stewardship, compliance, collaboration practices, and project tools and infrastructure. Graduates can align pre-award intent with post-award execution through effective governance, kickoff frameworks, and fit-for-purpose project infrastructure; adapt plans, timelines, and deliverables as conditions evolve; identify and mitigate research-specific risks across scientific, operational, compliance, financial, and reputational domains; coordinate PI-centered, multi-institutional teams using strong communication and decision practices; and apply research-appropriate tools (dashboards, task systems, collaboration platforms, document control, and reporting systems) to monitor progress and support adaptive management.

The Certificate is offered at an intermediary level. It is tailored to those that have a solid foundation in project and research management and administration with typically at least 5+ years of experience.

Certificate Program Requirements

RPM is comprised of one full-day workshop, five required sessions and two elective sessions. The required courses are listed below; the electives will vary meeting-to-meeting.

Essentials of Research Project Management 

Establishes a shared RPM baseline and introduces research-specific adaptations of project management, preparing participants for deeper dives into pre-award and planning considerations, kick-offs and project setup, risk and change management, leadership and soft skills, managing through influence, financial and compliance management, team management, and evaluation and metrics. 

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify and describe the core phases of the research project lifecycle and explain how standard project management practices are adapted for non-commercial research environments, including academic, government, and nonprofit settings.
  2. Demonstrate basic application of foundational research project management approaches to support project setup, risk and change management, team management and coordination, financial and compliance awareness, delivery implementation, and project evaluation across the project lifecycle.

Must take five (5).

Assessing Project Management Needs in Pre- and Post Award Phases

Evaluating and recommending appropriate PM support across pre- and post award phases based on project characteristics (complexity, funding source, timeline, stakeholders, team profile, PI experience) to support planning, implementation and compliance.

  • Assessing Project Management Needs in Pre- and Post Award Phases
  • Complexity in Research Projects: When and How to Add Project Management
  • Portfolio-Level Strategy: Competing at Scale
  • Operational Credibility in Proposals: RPM-Based Win Themes for Risk, Governance, and Responsible Delivery

Starting Strong: Project Initiation & Operationalizing Research

Post award onboarding, launch planning, governance setup, documentation systems, role clarity, and transitioning from award to active execution.

  • Scoping Research Projects: Setting a Strong Foundation
  • Understanding and Managing the Triple Constraint in Research
  • Knowing Your Award: Turning Terms & Conditions into Project Requirements
  • Structuring & Operationalizing Workstreams and Roles Across the Project Lifecycle

Project Tools & Systems: Designing Your Project Infrastructure

Selection and integration of project tools and systems (tracking systems, documentation platforms, dashboards, and communication tools) to support risk identification and mitigation, planning, coordination, and transparent communication across the project lifecycle, while ensuring data integrity, decision visibility, and sustainable project infrastructure based on specific project and team needs.

  • Transforming Research Project Management Using Microsoft Planner
  • From Ad Hoc to Intentional: Applying Project Management Fundamentals in Research Administration
  • The Accidental Project Manager: Navigating Post-Award Research Projects
  • Being the Architect of Project Infrastructure
  • Practical AI for Research Project Management Operations

Conflict Resolution & Divergence Management in Research Projects

Managing conflict, misalignment, and divergent priorities across multidisciplinary, multi-institutional, and matrixed research teams. Recognizing sources of conflict in research environments and on projects and applying practical strategies for navigating divergence, facilitating productive dialogue, and maintaining project momentum while preserving relationships, integrity, and accountability.

  • Conflict in Teams and Workplace Culture: A Root Cause Analysis
  • Divergence by Design: Navigating Conflicts of Interest, Confidentiality, and Restrictions Without Derailing the Project
  • Multi-PI and Collaborative Leadership Models
  • Accountability without Authority as a Research Project Manager
  • Negotiating as a Research PM: Scope, Resources & Expectations

Finish What You Started: Project Closeout Through the Eyes of a Research Project Manager

Coordinating closeout deliverables, aligning financial and compliance obligations, capturing lessons learned, and managing stakeholder disengagement to finish projects strong.

  • The Lifecycle of International Research Administration Project Management
  • Sponsor Ready Closeout: How an RPM Packages “Done” into “Accepted"
  • From Lessons Learned to Process Change: Continuous Improvement at Project Closeout
  • No Suprises at Closeout: Designing Deliverables, Evidence, and Decision Trails from Day 1

Must take two.

Electives vary from meeting to meeting.

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