This full-day workshop provides a practical, end-to-end introduction to research administration using the grant lifecycle as its organizing framework. Designed for new and early-career research administrators, the session demystifies how funding moves from proposal development through award management and final closeout, and highlights the critical role administrators play in ensuring compliance, financial stewardship, and successful research outcomes.
Participants will explore the core responsibilities and decision points at each phase of the lifecycle—pre-award, award setup, post-award management, and closeout—through real-world examples, case studies, and interactive exercises. Emphasis is placed on understanding sponsor requirements, managing risk, supporting principal investigators, and recognizing how actions taken at one stage directly affect downstream processes.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have a holistic understanding of research administration, increased confidence in navigating sponsor rules and institutional processes, and practical tools they can apply immediately in their roles. The workshop also fosters peer learning and collaboration, reflecting the cross-functional nature of effective research administration.
Content Level: Coming Soon.
Learning Objectives:
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Describe and apply the core responsibilities of research administrators at each stage of the grant lifecycle, from proposal preparation and award acceptance through post-award management and closeout, with an understanding of how decisions impact compliance and financial outcomes.
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Identify common risks, compliance challenges, and best practices in research administration, and demonstrate effective strategies for supporting principal investigators while maintaining sponsor and institutional requirements.
Speaker(s): Ali Hussaini, Senior Grants Manager, Aga Khan University, Asaad Nafees, Assistant Professor, Aga Khan University