Concurrent Sessions

A Concurrent Session is a 60-minute session that could be in the form of presentation, case study, discussion, panel or step-by-step presentation. The majority of sessions at SRAI meetings typically fit in this category and form the core of conference offerings. Presenters are encouraged to use active learning techniques to engage audiences, distribute materials, and respond to follow-up requests for more information. The Concurrent Sessions are marked with an "M", "T', or "W" for the day of the week that they are presented, followed by the time slot.

Please note that all time slots are in EST.

Monday - February 9th

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM EST

Coming Soon

This session will provide an introduction to the differences in the protocol-based financial management of clinical trials and wider range research grant financial management. Specific topics to be discussed include clinical trial direct patient-related costs, ancillary costs, pre-award costs, and the complexities of specific site billing.

Content level: Coming Soon

Learning objectives: Coming Soon

Track: Department Admin Finance

Speaker(s): Coming Soon

Coming Soon

In this one-hour session, we will delve into specific audit cases, dissecting common pitfalls faced by multiple institutions and discussing strategies for enhanced audit preparedness and compliance. Our objective is to equip participants with valuable insights and actionable strategies to strengthen their institution's audit performance.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

  1. Analyze specific audit cases during the session, highlighting common pitfalls where multiple institutions often face challenges.
  2. Receive valuable insights from the speakers regarding the identified areas of weakness in audit performance, enabling participants to enhance their audit preparedness and compliance strategies.

Track: Financial Leadership

Speaker(s): Sam Mombou, Principal Research Administration, Compliance Consulting Services

 

Shifting assumptions about research funding, including a potential 15% administrative cap on federal F&A rates, may reshape institutional cost-recovery strategies. Libraries are emerging as critical partners in research administration's efforts to maintain research support infrastructure. This session brings together institutional experience and costing expertise to demonstrate how research offices and libraries can collaborate to identify, document, and directly charge research information and data services to sponsored projects, transforming what has traditionally been recovered through indirect costs into allowable, allocable direct charges.


Speakers will present practical frameworks for implementing direct charging models. Drawing from library costing across multiple institutions, this session demonstrates how libraries shoulder significant compliance responsibilities, including data management planning and open access mandates, that directly benefit sponsored projects and can be appropriately charged as direct costs. Attendees will learn about FAIR (Financial Accountability in Research) principles to library service documentation. 
The session provides actionable strategies for research offices to partner with libraries in developing service inventories, cost calculation methodologies, and implementation roadmaps that satisfy sponsor requirements while enhancing research outcomes.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Identify direct chargeable library services that support sponsored research, including research information services, data management support, systematic review services, and specialized collections access
  2. Develop partnership strategies between research offices and libraries to inventory services, calculate costs, and create implementation plans for direct charging models

Track: Advanced Finance Topics

Speaker(s): Hilary A Craiglow, Practice Lead, Library Consulting Attain Partners, Cynthia Hudson Vitale, Associate Dean, Technology Strategy and Digital Services, Kathleen Halley-Octa, Manager, Attain Partners

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

Determining whether a cost is allowable under federal regulations, sponsor guidelines, and institutional policy is one of the most critical and challenging responsibilities in research administration. This session will provide participants with a practical framework for evaluating allowability, reasonableness, and allocability of expenses in sponsored projects.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Understand the regulatory framework governing allowability decisions and apply a structured approach to evaluating costs in sponsored projects. 
  2. Strengthen communication and documentation practices to support compliance.

Track: Grant Accounting

Speaker(s): Yulissa Garcia, Financial Research Administrator, Colorado State University

 

This session will provide an in-depth overview into subrecipients, walk the learner through the lifecycle, discuss the determination process and highlight the importance of risk assessment and monitoring plan

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Understand and explain the subrecipient lifecycle in accordance with UG
  2. Understand the importance of the execution of each step

Track: Department Admin Finance

Speaker(s): Sheleza Mohamed, Administrator, Amsterdam Business Services

 

"Research administration has been largely impacted by recent changes in international trade policy.  In 2025, researchers have seen some of the largest tariff increases since the early 1900’s. This has led to unexpected price increases, compliance issues, and complicated processes to navigate to obtain duty-free entry based on scientific exemptions.
Research administrators must work with investigators to ensure compliance with imports (i.e. correct documentation) as well as potentially rebudgeting awards to include large tariffs which may result in cuts in other areas of the project. 
This discussion will address:
• Aligning with Sponsor Policies While Managing Project Imports
• Relevant Federal Regulations (CFR References)
• Understanding Cost Models When Working with Vendors on Imports
• Collaborating with PIs, Procurement, and University Customs Brokers
• Internal Resources for Managing Import and Duty Challenges
• Duty-Free Entry Based on Scientific Exemption
• Common Issues & Best Practices for Managing Tariff Complexities
Tariff management has evolved into a core component of research administration in 2025. Institutions that proactively integrate trade compliance into their research management workflows — aligning sponsor policy, procurement, customs compliance, and financial planning — will minimize disruptions, maintain compliance, and protect the financial integrity of sponsored projects."

Content level: Advance

Learning objectives:

  1. Understand how tariff management has recently impacted research administration
  2.  Know where to look for resources when managing imports, and which imports may qualify for a scientific duty-free entry

Track: Non-Financial Post Award

Speaker(s): Courtney Desisto, Research Administrator II, Stanford University

 

This session provides an overview of pre-award expenses, allowability, and specific guidance needed to simplify charging of Federal Awards. Discussion will include a range regulatory requirements from Uniform Guidance to sponsor specific terms.

Content level: Coming Soon

Learning objectives: Coming Soon

Track: Department Admin Finance

Speaker(s): Coming Soon

Understanding the true costs associated with each species at an Animal Research Facility is essential for the financial wellness of an institution. These costs should be reflected in a facility’s animal per diem rates, which represent the daily cost to care for an animal or cage of animals. The Cost Analysis and Rate Setting Manual for Animal Facilities (CARS) recommends that costs are analyzed annually and cost-based per diem rates are adjusted accordingly. This session will provide an overview of animal per diem rates, including calculations, regulatory and budgetary considerations. We will explore strategies for tracking costs, subsidy considerations, streamlining the rate-setting process and what approaches have been successful at other universities and animal centers.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Understand the components that make up a per diem rate calculation
  2. Understand the data needed for a successful calculation and items to consider for future rate optimizations

Track: Advanced Finance Topics

Speaker(s): Neel Velani, Manager, Huron Consulting Group, Kari Kelly, Director, Huron Consulting Group, Michelle Schardein, Senior Associate, Huron Consulting Group

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST

Introduce best practices for effective single audit preparation, focusing on internal controls, accurate financial record-keeping, and fostering a compliance-oriented organizational culture.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. To have a better understanding of the foundational aspects of single audits, including key legislation, criteria under Uniform Guidance, and the distinction between financial and compliance audits.
  2. To identify key internal control mechanisms and implement them effectively to ensure compliance and mitigate risks during single audit preparation

Track: Grant Accounting

Speaker(s): Sonia Badrinath, Associate Director, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Victor Medina, Senior Business Applications Analyst, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Virgil Swanier, Associate Director, Children's Hospital Los Angeles Hospital

During this interactive session we will guide attendees through the confusing world of recharging.  Topic level ranges from basic to advanced.  We will cover the basics, answering such question as: When might it be appropriate for you to consider recharging services or equipment use? How do you start a recharge facility? What applicable laws should you consider?  How does the accounting work? For the more advanced, we will provide tricks and tips from the trenches for managing your recharge facility.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

  1. Understand the accounting basics for a recharge facility
  2. Be able to start the budgeting process for a recharge facility

Track: Department Admin Finance

Speaker(s): Ruth Halsey, Administrative Manager, University of Michigan, Department of Human Genetics

 

Coming Soon

This presentation examines the critical differences between formal training and professional development and why both are necessary—but insufficient on their own—to build sustained capability in research administration. Using data, adult learning theory, and practical examples, the session explores common assumptions about how adults learn, the limitations of webinars and shadowing alone, and the importance of structure, reinforcement, and coaching. Participants will consider best practices for designing learning experiences that transfer into daily work, support high performers, and deliver real return on investment. The session concludes by reframing training as part of a broader learning ecosystem rather than a one-time event.

Learning Objectives: 

  1. Differentiate between formal training and professional development and describe the strengths and limitations of each.
  2.  Analyze common learning pitfalls in research administration using principles of adult learning and evaluation.
  3. Apply best practices to design learning approaches that improve transfer, performance, and engagement.

Track: Financial Leadership

Speaker: Jeanne Viviani-Ayers, Associate Director, Research Training & Outreach, Office of Research, University of Central Florida

In this session we will explore what may change should the classification of direct and indirect costs be redefined by the OMB Uniform Guidance update. The increasing importance of Improvements and Internal Controls as well as Subsidies will be discussed. We will discuss possible ways to recharge for costs that have historically been indirect.

Content level: Intermediate  

Learning objectives:

  1.  Describe two possible allocation methodologies for Research Award Monitoring, Oversight, and Reporting costs.
  2. Describe three types of subsidies pertaining to service centers/recharge activities.

Track: Advanced Finance Topics

Speaker(s): Caroline Beeman, Director, Maximus Higher Education

 

Tuesday - February 10th

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM EST

Research administrators are frequently tasked with developing compliant budgets, forecasting expenditures across complex multi-year sponsored awards, and ensuring costs align with federal, state, and institutional requirements. This session will provide a practical walkthrough of budgeting and forecasting strategies that support effective fiscal stewardship and minimize compliance risk. Participants will learn how to build realistic budgets, monitor award spending, apply cost principles correctly, and forecast financial scenarios through real-world examples.
 
Whether you are new to post-award administration or want a refresher grounded in Uniform Guidance and institutional best practices, this session will equip you with tools and confidence to manage sponsored funds from proposal development through award closeout.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

  1. Use forecasting techniques to anticipate spending patterns and mitigate budget risks.
  2. Identify common budget pitfalls and implement proactive monitoring strategies.

Track: Grant Accounting

Speaker(s): Debbie Hoelscher, Research Administrator, University of California, Davis, Tamara Ginter, Director of Finance & Administrative Services, Eastern Washington University

In today’s decentralized research environment, the success of sponsored projects depends as much on effective communication as on fiscal and regulatory compliance. “Closing the Loop: How Integrated Communication Strengthens Research Administration” explores how intentional communication structures, team collaboration frameworks, and digital alignment tools can transform departmental operations. This session demonstrates how administrative teams can move from fragmented, email-driven communication to an integrated model of real-time collaboration, accountability, and shared ownership.
 
Departmental administrators (DAs), research finance staff, and principal investigators frequently navigate a complex network of policies, deadlines, and reporting systems. Without structured communication channels, critical information becomes siloed, response times lag, and institutional risk grows. This session presents tested models for “closing the loop”—ensuring that every financial or compliance action is linked to clear documentation, timely escalation, and institutional oversight. The focus is on establishing systemic clarity and collaboration that enhances efficiency and accuracy at every stage of the research lifecycle.
 
Central to this approach is the creation of structured interdepartmental communication practices. Attendees will learn how to form cross-functional teams that incorporate departmental administrators, grants managers, and compliance officers into organized workstreams. Using real-world case studies, presenters will illustrate how creating standing meetings, shared agendas, and defined communication cadences can synchronize departmental efforts. The result is a shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive alignment that anticipates issues before they escalate.
 
A key element of the session, “Creating Structure for Collaboration,” examines the use of collaborative tools and platforms to integrate communication across research offices and departments. Examples include Teams-based project spaces, organized team chats grouped by function or award type, and shared dashboards that provide unified visibility into project status. By replacing scattered emails with these structured digital hubs, teams cultivate transparency, reduce duplication, and promote collective accountability. Participants will explore how these practices enable real-time decision-making, clarify roles, and minimize administrative backlogs.
 
The session also highlights communication discipline—the intentional use of cadence, accountability tracking, and information flow to sustain consistency. Speakers will demonstrate how to establish a repeatable communication rhythm, such as weekly alignment meetings, centralized status logs, and shared summaries that ensure everyone remains informed. Through this model, information becomes cyclical—flowing from initiation to resolution and back to the broader team—thus “closing the loop.” This transparency supports compliance while strengthening institutional trust between departments and research investigators.
 
By the end of the session, participants will have practical frameworks and templates to implement immediately within their organizations. They will understand how structured communication and collaborative infrastructure not only streamline administrative tasks but also reinforce the financial integrity and strategic mission of research operations. Ultimately, effective communication in research administration is more than coordination; it is the foundation of shared stewardship, accountability, and sustainable efficiency.
 
This proposal equips departmental administrators and research managers to lead this transformation by integrating conversation, report, and approval into a coherent system that truly closes the communication loop across the research enterprise.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

  1. Design and implement structured communication framework, such as interdepartmental Teams spaces, organized meeting cadences, and shared digital dashboards to improve real-time alignment and accountability.
  2. Apply integrated communication strategies that “close the loop” by establishing transparent information flow, reducing administrative redundancy, and strengthening collaboration.

Track: Department Admin Finance

Speaker(s): Tonia Young-Babb, Training and Knowledge Nationwide Children's Hospital/Abilgail Wexner Research Institute; Franklin University

 

Most sponsored projects offices focus heavily on proposal and financial management, yet repeat audit findings continue to surface in the non-financial post award space. Problems often trace back to unclear handoffs after award setup, uneven effort reporting practices, inconsistent subrecipient monitoring, and progress reports that are treated as one off tasks rather than part of a broader compliance system.
 
This session will walk participants through a practical framework for organizing non-financial post award requirements across sponsors and award mechanisms. We will connect budget set up to downstream monitoring and reporting, and show how to build simple workflows that support effort reporting, financial conflict of interest, subrecipient monitoring, sponsor prior approvals, and scientific and invention reporting.
 
Using examples drawn from sponsor guidance and common findings, we will focus on how to translate regulatory language into concrete steps, documentation points, and tools that research administrators can adapt in their own environment. Drawing on structured bodies of knowledge that organize federal expectations into workflows and checklists, participants will see how to move from “what the regulation says” to “who does what, when, and how we prove it” in the daily life of a sponsored project.
 
The focus throughout will be on realistic practices that busy post award teams can sustain over time.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Map key non financial post award requirements such as effort reporting, financial conflict of interest, subrecipient monitoring, sponsor prior approvals, and progress or final reporting into a simple framework that clarifies roles, timing, and required do
  2. Design or refine at least one concrete post award tool such as a monitoring checklist, progress report tracker, or prior approval log that aligns with sponsor expectations and reduces the likelihood of repeat audit findings.

Track: Non-Financial Post Award

Speaker(s): Ann Marie Ilibasic, Principal Consultant, FEDgrant Solutions

 

Cost sharing remains one of the most challenging compliance areas for colleges and universities. This session provides a clear, practical walkthrough of federal requirements, allowable cost share types, documentation standards, and the major audit pitfalls institutions face. Participants will learn how to evaluate cost share commitments, properly establish and track cost share accounts after award, and navigate effort, third-party contributions, and unrecovered indirect costs. Real-world examples will highlight common issues and strategies for avoiding voluntary committed cost sharing. Ideal for central and departmental research administrators, PIs, and compliance staff.
Content level: Basic
 
Learning objectives:
 
  1. Explain the federal definitions, rules, and types of cost sharing under Uniform Guidance, recognize common audit findings and implement strategies to mitigate institutional risks.
  2. Apply best practices for documenting cost share, including effort, third-party contributions, and unrecovered indirect costs.

Track: Non-Financial Post Award
 
Speaker(s): Jennifer Mitchell, Education and Research Consulting Manager, Huron, Suzanne Skinner. Sr. Associate, Huron

Research funding brings compliance obligations for recipient institutions. Today's research landscape is evolving, shaped by shifting federal priorities and heightened enforcement. Institutions must now collect and manage a wide range of information from investigators to ensure transparency and compliance, and investigators are often required to disclose similar information in multiple locations within and outside the institution. A clear understanding of these multiple information streams is essential for setting expectations and communicating responsibilities effectively. By taking a strategic approach to collecting, comparing, and synthesizing investigator data, institutions can fulfill their regulatory obligations and foster a culture of transparency and accountability. This session will explore best practices for information gathering and outline institutional responsibilities. 

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

  1. Participants will be aware of the information disclosed by investigators within and outside their institutions.
  2. Participants will understand institutional responsibilities for managing disclosed other support, outside activities, and financial interests.

Track: Advanced Finance Topics

Speaker(s): Michael Hill, Senior Associate, Huron Consulting Group, Libby Tempel, Manager, Huron Consulting Group

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

In today’s complex clinical research environment, efficiency, compliance, and data integrity are non-negotiable. Yet, many organizations struggle with fragmented systems that lead to operational silos, redundant processes, and increased risk of errors. This session will explore why a well-integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is essential for driving success in clinical research programs.
We’ll discuss how ERP integration can:
 
Streamline Operations: Reduce manual work and improve coordination across finance, procurement, and research teams.
Enhance Compliance: Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements through centralized data and automated workflows.
Improve Visibility: Provide real-time insights into budgets, resource allocation, and project timelines for better decision-making.
Support Scalability: Enable your organization to adapt quickly to growth and evolving research demands.
 
Join us to learn best practices, common pitfalls, and actionable strategies for leveraging ERP systems to optimize your clinical research program. Whether you’re planning an implementation or looking to maximize your current system, this session will provide practical guidance to help you succeed.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Understand the strategic benefits of ERP integration in clinical research programs
  2. Identify best practices and common pitfalls in ERP implementation for clinical research

Track: Grant Accounting

Speaker(s): Jason Claes, Sr. Associate, Huron Consulting Group

 

The financial management of an organization’s sponsored programs is governed by federal and state regulations and funder requirements. These requirements mean that most sponsored programs don’t fall neatly within an organization’s fiscal year structure, and organizational policies and procedures often need carve outs for sponsored programs. Research administrators need to understand appropriate financial management of sponsored programs and be able to do so in the larger context of the institution’s financial system.  


Join us for the sponsored programs perspective on financial management, from proper utilization of funds and financial reporting, through billing, cash flow, and award closeout as well as the role of compliance.  We’ll discuss how these research administration concepts fit within an organization’s standard financial practices and administration so that attendees can serve as a bridge between sponsored programs and the rest of their organization’s administrators. 

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Explain how sponsored programs financial operations are similar and different from standard organizational operations
  2. Understand financial and reporting obligations in light of regulations and the implications of non-compliance

Track: Department Admin Finance

Speaker(s): Karla Gengler-Nowak, Grants and Contracts Administrator, Ohio State University, Aimee Nielsen-Link, Director, Heath Sciences Office, Ohio State University

Assets purchased with federal funding can sometimes be an overlooked area in research administration. However, mismanagement of government property can have negative consequences on the research portfolio of an institution.  As the steward of equipment purchased with federal funding, it is imperative for the institution to have a compliant asset management system in place that will demonstrate adequate controls over safeguarding of equipment throughout their life cycle.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Understanding the procurement thresholds of government properties: government furnished property (GFP), contractor acquired property (CAP) and fabricated/constructed equipment. Describe the purchasing process of equipment and how to account for them.
  2. Elaborate on the Policies and Regulations that govern property management and describe the acquisition process and safeguarding of an asset within the institution

Track: Non-Financial Post Award

Speaker(s): Sybile Bayiha, Senior Manager Compliance & Data Analysis, University of Maryland College Park

 

Coming Soon

As research funding grows in complexity, financial administrators face increasing pressure to ensure compliance, transparency, and accountability—often with limited resources. This session explores how research institutions can leverage data analytics to transform compliance from a reactive process into a predictive, proactive system of financial oversight.
 
Drawing from practical experience at a major healthcare research institution, this session will demonstrate how integrating project, finance, and grant data can help identify risks early, streamline reviews, and enhance audit readiness. Attendees will learn simple, scalable approaches to applying data-driven tools that support stronger internal controls and more efficient post-award management.
 
Participants will leave with actionable strategies for introducing predictive analytics into their own environments—whether through dashboards, Excel-based models, or low-cost automation—to improve accuracy, save time, and strengthen fiduciary responsibility. This forward-thinking approach not only enhances compliance but also builds institutional trust with sponsors and stakeholders.

Content level: Advanced 

Learning objectives:

  1. Apply data analytics techniques to strengthen internal financial controls and proactively identify compliance risks in post-award management. Develop a practical, scalable framework for transitioning from manual financial oversight to predictive, data-driven compliance practices that enhance audit readiness and transparency.

Track: Advanced Finance Topics

Speaker(s): Alice Kinyalili, Project Administrator, Kenya Nairobi Kenyatta National Hospital- INTEGRATE, Emmaculate Nzove, Program Manager, Kenyatta National Hospital

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST

Financial managers require expertise in understanding sponsor terms and conditions to protect the institution and PI. This session provides administrators and a clear, practical understanding of how award terms and conditions vary across federal, state, industry, and foundation sponsors. Participants will learn how to identify key administrative and financial requirements, navigate areas of flexibility and restriction, and anticipate compliance challenges unique to each sponsor type. The session equips attendees with tools to interpret complex award language, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and proactively manage risks throughout the post-award lifecycle.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

  1. "Purpose and importance of understanding terms & conditions (T&Cs)
  2. How T&Cs influence compliance, budgeting, reporting, and auditing" Overview of sponsor categories and why they differ

Track: Grant Accounting 

Speaker(s): Karen Mitchell, Director of Special Projects Office of the Vice President for Research, Research Administration, Temple University 

"This session combines real-world advice in post award with a nostalgic nod to one of TV’s most beloved ensembles. It is tailor-made for department or unit level research administrators who have 3 years or less of experience – but all are welcome!  This session will review the Reasonable, Allocable, and Allowable concepts and walk you through the 4 essential practices for managing grants and projects post-award: 
1. Read the Award
2. Read Institutional Policy
3. Review Expenses/Encumbrances
4. Review Personnel
We will PIVOT between exploring each key practice and discussing the sections of uniform guidance that form the foundation for these practices.   You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of why these tasks matter and how they ensure effective post-award management.  Could this BE any more exciting?"

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Identify 4 best practices for post award management at the department/unit level
  2. Examine the uniform guidance foundations for those best post award practices

Track: Department Admin Finance

Speaker(s): Erin Pyrek, Finance Specialist II, Cornell University

Coming Soon

Indirect costs are a critical in supporting the research mission. This session will provide an update to changes within the reimbursement landscape, strategies to understand your costs, and discussion on alternative mechanisms to recover research expense.  

Content level: Intermediate 

Learning objectives:

  1. Update on current indirect cost landscape.
  2. Discover ways to rethink and communicate these changes to the campus community.

Track: Financial Leadership 

Speaker(s): Eric Wang, Director, Education, and Research,  Huron Consulting Group, Cindy Hope, Director of Costing and Financial Compliance, Council on Government Relations Non-Profit Foundation

Coming Soon

Wednesday - February 11th

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM EST

Coming Soon

This session will offer a focused look at key practices for monitoring research expenditures and maintaining compliance with sponsor and institutional requirements. Participants will learn essential techniques for reviewing project spending, identifying potential compliance issues, and aligning costs with approved budgets. The session highlights practical tools and reports that support timely financial oversight and introduces strategies to address common problem areas efficiently. Attendees will gain ways to improve expenditure review and ensure responsible financial management in sponsored research projects.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Identify key components of effective research expenditure monitoring and apply methods to ensure costs align with sponsor and institutional requirements.
  2.  Prevent common compliance and budgeting issues in sponsored research projects.

Track: Department Admin Finance

Speaker(s): Maria Soliman, Director, Grant Accounting Office University of Iowa

Coming Soon

When faculty members lose external support, institutions provide bridge funding (temporary financial support) to help them sustain their research programs until new funding is secured. Leaders have to answer difficult questions:
 - Who gets bridge funding?
 - What is the likelihood of success?
 - How long should it last?
 - How much should it be? 
 - Is this in the interest of the institution?
 
The session will provide participants information, tools, and best practices to answer these questions.  

Content Level: Advanced

Learning objectives: 

  1. Develop a framework to make decisions about supporting faculty that have lost extramural funding.
  2. Evaluate the return on investment in bridging individual faculty and bridge programs as a whole. 

Track: Financial Leadership

Speaker(s): Marcos Garza, AVP of Research Operations, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine

In this session we will discuss ways your institution can maximize direct charging to grants. We will discuss methods that are currently available regardless of Uniform Guidance updates. 
 
• Are there additional elements that you can include in your fringe benefit rates?
• Are you employing non-federal indirect cost rates and direct charges?
• Are you direct charging compliance costs that have come online after 1991?
 
We will touch on the great “what if” – what happens after the update to Uniform Guidance?
• What if the indirect cost recovery is limited to 15%?
• What if the FAIR model is adopted?"

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Identify at least four methods of direct charging expenses to grants and contracts.
  2. List 6 areas where institutional policy or practice affects that amount charged to grants and contracts.

Track: Advanced Finance Topics

Speaker(s): Caroline Beeman, Director, Maximus Higher Education

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

Budgeting for clinical trials vary by sponsor and scope – so how and what expenses would you include and at what rate? Should you apply the same rates if it is federally funded vs. industry? How do you calculate effort for your team, when considering all the startup costs and “visits” costs with current NIH funding levels vs. other CRO limitations.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Identifying different types of costs associated with clinical trials.
  2.  Discussion on various costs associated with clinical trials that are allowable on industry vs. federally funded clinical trials.

Track: Grant Accounting

Speaker(s): Linda Dement, Grant and Finance Program Manager, Grants & Contracts Administration, CII Benaroya Research Institute

This session provides a comprehensive overview of service center compliance requirements and rate calculation methodologies. Attendees will gain insights into federal guidelines, common compliance pitfalls, and best practices for establishing policies and procedures that ensure financial integrity and regulatory adherence. The presentation will cover types of service centers, allowable and unallowable costs, rate-setting strategies, and stakeholder responsibilities. Designed for those who are beginning their journey into service center management or as a refresher for those who might not manage service centers regularly.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Identify various types of service centers (e.g., core facilities, recharge centers, specialized service facilities), understand their associated federal guidelines, and develop compliant institutional policies and procedures.
  2. Calculate and review service center rates, conduct oversight over service center fund balances and accurately recover costs.

Track: Department Admin Finance

Speaker(s): Michelle Schardein, Senior Associate, Huron Consulting Group, Adam Hall, Higher Ed Analysis, Huron Consulting

This presentation will focus on the non-financial tasks for central office RAs.  Many RAs have "lifecycle" assignments with the individual managing all administrative tasks of a project from the proposal stage through closeout, however very few do financial reporting or drawdown of funds with those actions often relegated to an accounting office.  

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Understand what responsibilities are often assigne to central office RAs during the post-award stage.
  2.  Understand possible strategies and best practices for non-financial responsibilities.

Track: Non-Financial Post Award

Speaker(s): Sean Scott, Contract Manager University of Maryland, College Park

Coming Soon

Audits can feel intimidating, but they don’t have to be. In research administration, being “audit-ready” really starts long before an audit is on the horizon. It begins at the proposal stage and continues all the way through closeout. In this session, we’ll walk through how simple, practical internal controls can be built into everyday processes to make compliance easier and more predictable.
 
We’ll also talk about how central and departmental offices can work together more smoothly, strengthening communication and turning hand-offs into true partnerships. Along the way, we’ll look at real case studies (both successes and missteps) to highlight what works, what doesn’t, and what we can learn from each scenario.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

  1. Leave with concrete ideas you can put into practice right away to reduce risk 
  2. Approach audits with much more confidence

Track: Advanced Finance Topics

Speaker(s): Amanda Seymour, Director, Sponsored Programs Accounting Mississippi State University, John Hedberg,  Senior Associate, Attain Partners

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST

This session will provide a comprehensive overview of fringe benefit rates, focusing on how to calculate these rates effectively. We will cover core concepts and definitions of fringe benefits and their role in budgeting, calculation methodologies, and compliance considerations under federal guidelines (OMB Uniform Guidance, CAS).

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Explain the components of fringe benefit rates and their impact on sponsored projects.
  2.  Apply correct formulas for calculating fringe benefit rates.

Track: Grant Accounting 

Speaker(s): Jessica Foster, Higher Education Consulting Manager, Huron Consulting Group

Departmental RAs have a different focus on budgets as they work much closer with the investigators and may actually have a hand in managing award budgets.  This session will discuss how the departmental views and interacts with budgets throughout the lifecycle and discuss general best practices and issue identification. 

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  1. Understand the difference between the departmental and central office RA responsibilities.
  2. Understand common budget issues and general best practices.

Track: Department Admin Finance 

Speaker(s): Sean Scott, Contract Manager, University of Maryland, College Park

Coming Soon

We’ve all seen the headlines, and the message is clear: the nation’s biomedical research sector is facing a massive upheaval. Unprecedented reductions in both funding and the workforce are forcing universities and AMCs to navigate a new reality in which federal funding is reprioritized, competition for that funding is ramped up, and financial pressures threaten program stability. While the long-term impact of the current administration’s policies remains to be seen, organizations have several opportunities to adapt to the mounting operational and financial challenges. Proactive planning will not only help organizations mitigate this period of acute uncertainty but also ensure they are even more successful when—and if—federal funding rebounds.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

  1. Better understand the near-term and long-term impact of research funding pressures.
  2. Identify strategies to build a more resilient research organization that can thrive in this uncertain funding environment.

Track: Finance Leadership

Speaker(s): Ryan Moynihan, Manager, ECG Management Consultants

In this session, the participants will learn how to develop complex budgets for large center research projects and how to manage them, if awarded. Topics covered will include a presentation on the process from proposal submission to award closeout. As center grants are becoming more prominent in the University setting, we believe it is pertinent to share our knowledge for best practices. The purpose of this session is to provide participants with a broad overview of the various aspects involved in managing a complex project. 

Content level: Advanced

Learning objectives: Coming soon

Track: Advanced Finance Topics

Speaker(s): Rachel Nowak, Grants & Contracts Manager, Physical Sciences Division,  University of Chicago