Basics for Canadian Research Administration Intensive

Unlock the knowledge that leads to success in Canadian research administration with Basics for Canadian Research Administration—a new training intensive developed by Canadian research administrators, for Canadian research administrators. This program is tailored for professionals with fewer than two years of experience and is ideal for those looking to build a strong foundation in the policies, practices, and structures that shape research administration in Canada.

Participants will gain practical, hands-on knowledge of the full research project lifecycle—from understanding institutional roles and sponsor relationships to supporting funding applications and managing award finalization. You’ll learn key distinctions between centralized and decentralized administrative models, explore the nuances of Canadian funding mechanisms, and build the confidence needed to support investigators and navigate compliance requirements.

Summer Session

Type:

 Online

Date:

Wednesdays, July 22 - August 19, 2026

Live Sessions: Real-Time Learning with Canadian Experts

The program includes four 90-minute live, online sessions, plus a bonus office hours session, offering participants a valuable opportunity to engage directly with experienced Canadian instructors and peers in a supportive, cohort-based setting.

These interactive sessions will help you:

  • Ask questions and clarify concepts from the LevelUP modules
  • Explore real-world examples and best practices from Canadian institutions
  • Discuss challenges, share experiences, and build your professional network

The live sessions are designed to deepen your understanding of the topics introduced in the self-paced modules, offering space for reflection, connection, and dialogue.

LevelUP Modules – Learn at Your Own Pace

Your registration includes full access to four LevelUP modules adapted for the Canadian context:

  • Relationships, Roles, and Responsibilities in Canadian Research Administration
  • Principles in Pre-Award in Canadian Research Administration
  • Principles of Post-Award Financial in Canadian Research Administration
  • Award Finalization in Canadian Research Administration

These modules provide a robust foundation in the essentials of research administration, with content specifically modified to reflect Canadian regulations, sponsors, and institutional practices. You’ll have one full year of access to complete them at your own pace.

Each module offers CEUs upon completion, helping you build your credentials while learning on your own schedule. While the live sessions are designed to complement the modules, you can complete them in the order and timeline that works best for you.

Click here for more information about SRAI’s LevelUp program

Learning Objectives

After completing Basics for Canadian Research Administration, participants will be able to:

  • Identify key roles and responsibilities across the Canadian research administration ecosystem
  • Understand the full research administration lifecycle—from opportunity identification to award closeout
  • Support principal investigators in locating and navigating Canadian funding opportunities
  • Distinguish between allowable and unallowable expenses under Tri-Agency and institutional guidelines
  • Differentiate between direct and indirect (F&A) costs
  • Describe the key components of a proposal budget, including common cost categories
  • Understand the differences between types of award instruments (e.g., grants, contracts, contributions)
  • Recognize the purpose and importance of core regulations, including the Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants by Research Institutions
  • Identify major compliance issues in areas such as ethics, finance, and research security
  • Understand procurement, records, and property management within the context of research funding
  • Describe the award finalization and closeout process at Canadian institutions

Intended Audience

This program is designed for research administrators in Canada with less than two years of experience, or those new to the field. It is ideal for individuals involved in any area of research administration. The program is targeted specifically to new personnel in positions such as pre-award coordinators, departmental administrators, post-award coordinators, compliance coordinators, grant accountants, and others with newly-acquired responsibilities who need to understand the broad spectrum of research administration. 

Course Details

Online Classroom:

  • Intensive sessions will be held via Zoom.
  • You will receive login details and instructions on accessing the online classroom environment prior to the course start date.

Connect Pages:

  • Access to Connect Pages will be provided upon enrollment in the course.
  • Connect Pages serve as the central hub for meeting recordings and communication.

CEU Credits:

  • This course is eligible for 6 Continuing Education Units (CEU) credits.
  • Participants who successfully complete the course and meet the evaluation criteria will receive a certificate of completion along with documentation of the earned CEU credits.

Quick Links

Sign Up for this Intensive

If you're new to research administration, this is the course for you. Utilized by multiple institutions to train new hires, SRAI's Basics of Research Administration gives you the foundational knowledge needed to begin a successful career in research administration.

Register Now

Discover More

Explore our full list of intensive training programs.

Intensives Overview

Register for the Session

Quisque condimentum eros facilisis enim sollicitudin, in consectetur mauris iaculis. In bibendum, mi in porta fringilla, sapien erat porta elit, in tempus enim dolor sed neque.


Register Now