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A Program Built for This Moment: AI and Uniform Guidance Take Center Stage at the 2026 Annual Meeting | 

The 2026 Annual Meeting Co-Chairs preview a program built around the two forces reshaping research administration right now: the rapid arrival of AI in everyday workflows and the most significant overhaul of the Uniform Guidance since its inception.

If you've felt like the ground has been shifting under research administration lately, you're not imagining it. Between the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in our daily workflows and the most significant overhaul of the Uniform Guidance since its inception, our field is being asked to adapt faster than ever. This is exactly why we built the 2026 Annual Meeting program to address these two realities head-on, and why we are so excited for you to see it.

Artificial Intelligence: From Curiosity to Capability

AI is no longer a topic reserved for the future of research administration. It is already being used in proposal drafting, award setup, contract review, and compliance monitoring. Our 2026 program reflects that shift with a robust slate of sessions designed to meet you wherever you are on your AI journey.

If you're just getting oriented, WS206: From Pre-Award to Post-Award: Building the AI-Augmented Research Administration Workshop of the Future offers a hands-on introduction to AI literacy, complete with live demonstrations and ready-to-use prompts you can bring back to your office. Want to hear how peer institutions are using these tools today? M106: AI in Action: What's Happening Now—and What You Can Use Today offers a peer-driven, no-hype look at real applications across proposal development, financial analytics, and clinical research operations.

For those focused on governance, M214: Governing AI in Research Operations and W108: AI is Transforming Contracting examine critical questions about data security, legal exposure, vendor oversight, and how to create institutional protections without hindering innovation. And if your institution is exploring building its own tools, M313: Building an In-House AI Assistant for Research Administration offers a replicable, scalable model grounded in real implementation lessons.

Uniform Guidance: Navigating a Landscape in Motion

At the same time, the regulatory foundation of our work is being rewritten in real time. With the proposed Uniform Grants Regulations, shifts in indirect cost policy, and continued federal activity, staying current is essential.

We're offering something for every level of familiarity. WS13: Understanding the Uniform Guidance on a Practical Level remains our foundation, helping attendees develop a strong understanding of current requirements while preparing for potential changes under the Uniform Grants Regulations. For those tracking the latest developments, M110: Legal Issues with the New OMB Proposed Changes to Title 2 and M407: Hot Issues in Grants Including the Latest on Uniform Guidance Revisions unpack the newest proposed rules, indirect cost debates, and the emerging FAIR model. And T509: From Uniform Guidance to Uniform Grants Regulations (UGR) brings together voices from across the research ecosystem to share how institutions are preparing for what's ahead.

Why It Matters

We know our members are being asked to do more, faster, and with greater regulatory complexity than ever before. Our goal with this year's program is simple: to make sure you leave the Annual Meeting not just aware of these changes, but equipped to lead through them. Whether AI or Uniform Guidance is the topic keeping you up at night, we've designed sessions to help you navigate it, and we look forward to learning alongside you.

See you in Honolulu!

— Your 2026 Annual Meeting Co-Chairs