Virtual Research Administration Conference - Pre-Award Certificate

Pre-Award Workshop | Parts 1 and 2

Part 1: Proposal Management Process

(half-day)

When research administrators in pre-award offices help new investigators learn how to apply for grant funding and more experienced investigators update their grant skills and knowledge, they must be able to assist investigators to understand the different types of proposals and how to write each effectively; how to read and interpret proposal guidelines; how to plan the proposal, involving timelines, partners; what proposal parts or sections are expected, how to address them, and the need to relate the various sections to each other.  In addition, this workshop will focus on sections of the proposal: goals and objectives, problem/need statement, methodology/project description, evaluation, and abstract.  It will also include incorporating timelines and budget justifications; using charts and tables to explain complicated data and save space; instruction on clear and effective writing; editing for formatting, grammar, and content; and tips on proposal writing style to make proposals more fundable.

Content Level: Basic 

Learning Objectives:

1. Become familiar with proposal types, interpret and address proposal guidelines.
2. Review proposal criteria and address review comments and prepare for resubmission.

Pre-Award Certificate: Required Workshop 

Speaker(s): Renee Vaughan, CRU Financial Practice Manager, Duke University; Monique Gregory, College of Sciences, Contracts and Grants Manager, Pre-Award, Mayo Clinic 

Part 2: Proposal Budgeting Fundamentals

(half-day)

This workshop will serve as a primer for budgeting fundamentals across the spectrum of grant applications and proposals. It will address concepts of comprehensive budgeting construction as well as afford practical advice for identifying budget components and how to assemble them. The application and calculation of Facilities and Administration (F&A) costs will be reviewed, as well as advanced topics such as per-patient costs, cost sharing, salary caps, subcontracts, participant support costs, fabrication costs, and consultants. Participants are expected to bring a calculator and will engage in a budget development exercise.

Content Level: Basic 

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss comprehensive budgeting components and how to assemble them. 
2. Review application and calculation of F&A costs. 

Pre-Award Certificate: Required Workshop 

Speaker(s): Renee Vaughan, CRU Financial Practice Manager, Duke University; Monique Gregory, College of Sciences, Contracts and Grants Manager, Pre-Award, Mayo Clinic 

Must take four (4). 

W303: Tips for Navigating Sponsor Portals from the Central Office Perspective

Content Level: Beginner

In this session, attendees will learn about obtaining access to the most common submission portals and what constitutes a successful submission for the institution, including what an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) is reviewing and approving within the portal. Furthermore, attendees will also obtain tips on how to avoid common system errors that may lead to last minute corrections or result in a system rejection of a proposal or a missed deadline. 

Content level: Basic

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss obtaining access to the most common submission portals such as grants.gov, research.gov., proposal central and other systems that require an AOR "button push".
2. Review tips on avoiding common errors. 

Track: Pre-Award 

Pre-Award Required: eRA Tools and Systems (PA-I)

Speaker(s): Kristen Bridges, Associate Director, Office of Sponsored Programs, Carnegie Mellon University; Julie Fredericks, Subcontracts Analyst, Carnegie Mellon University; Natalie Mumich, Senior Proposal Analyst, Carnegie Mellon University

T203: Pre-Award Preparation for Post-Award Success 

Winning a grant award requires preparation at many levels, as does the administration of an award. In this session attendees will learn how to guide the investigator through the in-depth planning required for a successful series of proposals. This includes both scientific and practical preparation such as researching sponsor priorities. On the organization level, preparation and management involves a wide range of compliance issues. Attendees will leave the session with resources for planning and managing proposals and awards. This session will be most useful for newcomers to research administration and administrators at smaller institutions.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

1. Knowledge of the many levels of investigator and institutional compliance.

2. A framework for guiding investigators to successful proposal activities.

Track: Pre-Award

Pre-Award Required: Pre-Award Preparation for Post-Award Success (PA-III)

Speaker(s): Renee Vaughan, CRU Financial Practice Manager, Duke University

T303: What Type of Agreement is This? What Should I do with It?

As a research administrator you are often consulted on agreements for sponsored research. You process many instruments as awards to your institution that you are required to review. Are you able to properly advise your PI or do you turn to legal counsel? Research Administration has many different agreements that are necessary for the day-to-day interactions between an investigator and a sponsor. This session will explain the use different agreements.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

1. Know the different agreements and be able to explain when and why they are used.

2. Be able to suggest agreements to protect the Institution and PI’s research and intellectual property.

Track: Pre Award

Pre-Award Required: Award Review and Acceptance (PA-IV)

Speaker(s): Karen Mitchell, Assistant Vice President, Research Administration, Temple University; Germaine Calicat, Grants and Contract Specialist, Temple University

F103: Finding Funding Opportunities

This session will provide tips and techniques as well as an overview of various types of electronic search directories, engines, services and databases. Key considerations such as application due date, funding limitation, eligibility and other restrictions will be covered. Additionally search strategies using a wide range of funding programs, sources and opportunities applicable to specialty are provided. Participants will also review email alert services and the use of social media, particularly twitter streams as an optimal tool in funding development and dissemination of funding trends and opportunities in a global context.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

1. Knowledge of the many levels of investigator and institutional compliance.

2. A framework for guiding investigators to successful proposal activities

Track: Pre-Award

Pre-Award Required: Finding Funding Opportunities (PA-II)

Speaker(s): Karen Mitchell, Assistant Vice President, Research Administration, Temple University; Debra Sokalczuk, Award Management Coordinator, Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg

Must take one.

Electives vary from meeting to meeting. Please reference the 2024 Virtual Research Administration Conference Tracking Sheet for the most up-to-date list of elective sessions for this conference.