SRAI's Intensive Training Programs

SRAI’s Intensive Training programs offer focused, in-depth professional development opportunities for research administrators at all levels. These programs cover essential topics in research administration, providing valuable insights and tools to help you excel in the field. With both in-person and virtual options, they are designed to fit your schedule and needs. Explore the available intensives and find the right opportunity to enhance your expertise.

Research Lifecycle Pre-Award Post-Award Compliance Clinical Trials Professional Development

Deepen Your Expertise with Focused Learning

SRAI offers flexible in-person and virtual options for intensive training. Members enjoy special rates. Join today to access these professional development opportunities.

Research Lifecycle

Basics of Research Administration Intensive

June 10  - July 15

This six week program was developed for research administrators new to the field with less than 2 years experience. The content is designed to provide a broad awareness across research administration. Participants will self-train at their own pace with micro-credentialing modules, then participate in six 90-minute cohort sessions online to discuss key elements and review course concepts.

Program Details

Beyond the Basics: Critical Thinking in Research Administration

Coming September 2026!

This program is a two-day, in-person intensive for research administrators with 2–4 years of experience. Designed to go beyond institutional checklists, this program helps participants build the critical thinking skills needed to navigate complex, ambiguous scenarios. Through case studies, role plays, and interactive analysis, attendees will leave with practical tools for making informed, compliant decisions in the real world of research administration.

Program Details

Departmental Administration Intensive

March 31 – June 9

This 12-week intensive program was developed for early career individuals responsible for directly supporting investigators and research teams. The content is designed to provide a strong foundation necessary to manage the complexities and nuances of departmental research administration. Participants will self-train at their own pace with micro-credentialing modules.

Program Details

Pre-Award

Pre-Award Fundamentals Intensive

July 7 – 23

This intensive program is intended for those just stepping into a pre-award position whether as a newcomer to the field of research administration or those changing focus within research administration. As Pre-Award is the foundation for the grant lifecycle, pre-award research administrators play a critical role in setting a grant off to a good start.

Program Details

Building a Basic Budget Mini-Intensive

July 13, 15, & 17

This workshop highlights the challenges associated with creating an effective budget, Participants from all levels of the institution will benefit by receiving comprehensive and practical information, along with specific examples, which can be used for various aspects of an institutions grant budgeting needs.

Program Details

Research Contract Review and Negotiation Intensive

September 15 - October 1

This intensive program is intended for new research administrators who are involved in negotiation and review of research related contracts and agreements. The course is designed to equip participants with an understanding of the complex and challenging aspects of contract negotiation and management within the realm of research, and aims to help participants understand the different research contract types and their respective components.

Program Details

Research Development for Research Administrators Mini-Intensive

Coming Winter 2027!

This mini-intensive program is designed to educate research administrators about the essence of research development, its importance for both themselves and their faculty, and how they can collaborate with the research development team to support faculty members in securing external funding for their endeavors.

Program Details

NIH Comprehensive Overview Mini-Intensive

Coming Spring 2027!

Whether you are new to research administration or simply new to the NIH, this mini-intensive program was developed to provide focused, NIH-specific training on essential pre-award elements for the research administrator. Participants will join in interactive discussion and hands-on exercises.

Program Details

Large-Scale, Collaborative, and Strategic Proposals Mini- Intensive

April 1, 8, & 15

Large-Scale, Collaborative, and Strategic (LSCS) proposals require more advanced understanding and expertise than standard sponsored project proposals. In this mini-intensive, you will learn how Pre-award Research Administrators often function as Project Managers, and learn strategies for developing, preparing, budgeting, and submitting LSCS proposals.

Program Details

Post-Award

Post-Award Intensive

April 7 – 23

This intensive program will encourage exploration of the research administrator's role at their institution and at others. Discussions and exercises will include topics such as methodologies for assessing costs and concerns associated with personnel effort, consultants, equipment, supplies, travel, subcontracts, total direct cost, program income, indirect costs, and cost sharing.

Program Details

Effort Management and Reporting Mini-Intensive

July 20, 22, & 24

Participants will gain a solid understanding of effort reporting principles and requirements, develop skills to ensure accurate and compliant effort reporting, and learn best practices and strategies to avoid common mistakes. Additionally, the course will keep you updated on recent regulatory changes and their impacts, ensuring you stay informed and compliant with the latest standards.

Program Details

Service Centers Intensive

April 6, 8, 13, & 15

This intensive program will encourage exploration of the research administrator's role at their institution and at others. Discussions and exercises will include topics such as methodologies for assessing costs and concerns associated with personnel effort, consultants, equipment, supplies, travel, subcontracts, total direct cost, program income, indirect costs, and cost sharing.

Program Details

Subrecipient Monitoring and Management Mini-Intensive

May 12 & 13

Gain clarity on 2 CFR 200.331–333 and strengthen your approach to subrecipient monitoring. This program is ideal for professionals with some experience in sponsored programs or working with subrecipients.

Program Details

Preparing for a Financial Audit Mini-Intensive

Coming Fall 2026!

This program is targeted to the beginner and intermediate level research administrators who are interested in expanding their knowledge of sponsored program financial audits.  Participants from all levels of the institution, be it college, department or central administration, will benefit from this presentation which will include practical examples of financial audits from higher educational institutions.

Program Details

Compliance

Research Compliance for Research Administrators Mini-Intensive

Coming Winter 2027!

This intermediate level program is intended for early to basic and mid-level research administrator professionals, including supervisors and managers, with limited exposure to the role and purpose of the regulatory compliance programs.

Program Details

Research Science and Security Mini-Intensive

Coming Winter 2027!

This three-day mini-intensive training is designed for research management professionals in areas adjacent to research security or with a role in research security: Pre-award, Post-award, Compliance, Conflict of Interest, Export Control, Technology Transfer, Research Misconduct, Internal Audit, Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), etc.

Program Details

Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials Overview Intensive

Coming Winter 2027!

This three-week program offers a comprehensive, hands-on exploration of the full clinical trial lifecycle, from protocol development and regulatory approvals to patient recruitment and trial closeout. Tailored for professionals engaged in investigator-initiated or sponsored research, the curriculum covers regulatory frameworks, study design, financial considerations, and ethical compliance across diverse clinical trial environments.

Program Details

Clinical Research Budget & Billing Mini-Intensive

August 11, 18, & 25

This intensive program is intended for mid-level clinical research professionals, including research coordinators and administrators, with limited exposure to clinical research budget & billing. The course aims to teach learners the best practices for building a clinical research study budget and identifying the downstream impacts on the organization & patient experience. Speakers will cover pre-award & post-award topics to allow learners to wholistically understand coverage analysis, budget development, and clinical billing & sponsor invoicing.

Program Details

Professional Development

Research Leadership Intensive - In person

July 23 & 24

This program is designed for research management professionals with supervisory responsibilities for people or programs. It is ideal for individuals in roles such as Managers, Directors, and Vice Presidents across diverse areas of research administration, including Pre-award, Post-award, Compliance, Conflict of Interest, Technology Transfer, Human Research Protections, Animal Welfare, Research Misconduct, Internal Audit, and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), etc

Program Details

Manager's Toolbox Intensive 

September 8 – 24

Designed for managers, supervisors, team leaders, and anyone looking to enhance their management skills, this program helps participants become proficient in distinguishing management from leadership, developing effective management strategies, utilizing communication techniques for people management and conflict resolution, and acquiring practical skills like performance management and decision-making. Participants will also learn to address workplace stress and burnout.

Program Details

This July—In Person: Research Leadership Intensive

Research Leadership Intensive

July 23 – 24, 2026 | Arlington, VA

Designed for research leaders with supervisory responsibilities, this program supports Managers, Directors, and Vice Presidents across key areas of research administration, including pre-award, post-award, compliance, and research integrity.

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Questions?

To learn more about about our intensives, please contact SRAI HQ.


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