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You’re Invited: Save the Date for the Lifecycle Summit for Research Management | 

SRAI's co-chairs invite members to save the date for the inaugural Lifecycle Summit for Research Management. Built around three sequential Journeys — Pre-Award, Compliance, and Post-Award — plus three certificate programs, the Summit lets attendees deepen expertise in one area or build a customized path across the full research lifecycle.

As co-chairs, we are excited to invite you to the inaugural Lifecycle Summit for Research Management, taking place April 12–15, 2027, at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco.

No stage in the research lifecycle exists in isolation. As research administration becomes increasingly interconnected, professional development must evolve to reflect the way our work is performed. With this in mind, SRAI created the Lifecycle Summit to provide a flexible learning experience that allows participants to explore their areas of expertise while developing a broader understanding of the research lifecycle. Our goal is to bring research administrators together for focused education, practical learning, and meaningful professional connections. Through a program that can be customized to individual roles, responsibilities, and career goals, attendees will be able to build an experience that meets them wherever they are in their profession.

The Summit is organized around three educational Journeys—Pre-Award, Compliance, and Post-Award. Each Journey includes two days of focused educational content, with the Journeys scheduled sequentially to mirror the progression of the research lifecycle. Additional topics will be integrated throughout all four days of the Summit, giving attendees opportunities to explore areas that span multiple stages of research administration. Attendees may follow one Journey to deepen their expertise or combine sessions from multiple Journeys to broaden their knowledge across the research lifecycle. The choice is yours.

The Lifecycle Summit is intended to support research administrators at every stage of their careers. Early-career professionals will have the opportunity to build confidence and develop practical skills through relevant, immediately applicable learning. Mid-career professionals can explore solutions to increasingly complex challenges and return to their institutions with new strategies, ideas, and resources. Experienced leaders can strengthen their teams, encourage cross-functional collaboration, and gain a wider perspective on how decisions made throughout the research lifecycle impact institutional outcomes. Whether you attend independently or with colleagues who have different professional development needs, the Summit’s flexible structure will allow each participant to create a meaningful and personalized learning experience.

The Summit will also offer three certificate programs: Financial Management, Pre-Award, and Research Compliance and Integrity. These programs will provide attendees with additional opportunities to develop practical competencies, deepen their knowledge, and leave the Summit with greater confidence as they continue their professional growth.

Although the Lifecycle Summit offers a new approach to conference programming, it preserves the close professional connections that participants value at SRAI events. Attendees can join a SRAI-hosted Dinner Group to meet colleagues in a relaxed setting or participate in the lively and informative Roundtable Discussions scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday. These activities are designed to encourage the exchange of ideas, experiences, and solutions among research administration professionals.

When sessions wrap up, take time to explore all that San Francisco has to offer. The Grand Hyatt is located near many of the city’s notable destinations, including historic Chinatown, a 15-minute walk from the hotel; the American Conservatory Theater; and the boutiques and stores surrounding Union Square, including Macy’s West Coast flagship store.

Save the date for April 12–15, 2027, and plan to join us at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco for the inaugural Lifecycle Summit for Research Management.

We look forward to welcoming you to San Francisco for education, professional connections, and collaboration across the research lifecycle.