Blogs

A Framework to Characterize Broader Impact Activities

Volume LVII, Number 2 | Rita S. Graef College of Agricultural Sciences, the Pennsylvania State University Daniel D. Foster, PhD College of Agricultural Sciences, the Pennsylvania State University Kathleen M. Hill, PhD College of Education, the Pennsylvania State University Tracy S. Hoover, PhD College of Agricultural Sciences, the Pennsylvania State University Abstract As principal investigators (PIs) develop funding proposals, the framework presented here offers a model for considering how scientists engage audiences in research itself, in activities directly related to specific research project, and in activities complementary to ...
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Job Demands, Resources, and Extra-Role Behavior: Supporting Research Administrators’ Interests in Research Development Activities

Volume LVII, Number 2 | Melanie Bauer Division of Research and Economic Development, Nova Southeastern University Joshua Roney Office of Research, University of Central Florida Rachel Goff-Albritton Division of Research, Florida State University Abstract As institutions seek to expand research capacity, the role of research administrators (RAs) is evolving beyond compliance toward strategic research support. This mixed-methods study explores the potential for integrating research development (RD) approaches into RA roles, including at non-R1 institutions with limited RD staff. Using the frameworks of extra-role behavior (ERB) and the ...
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Federal Policies on Research Security and the Shifting Balance of Legal Liability for Nondisclosure

Volume LVII, Number 2 | K. Ann Bell Virginia Commonwealth University Abstract The United States government is actively working on a national security framework that will balance the need to protect science and technology while maintaining an open, collaborative, and accountable research environment for scientists to conduct fundamental research in their fields. As a result of recently passed legislation, federal agencies have begun implementing a number of requirements on researchers, including personal attestations of all funding, affiliations, and in-kind support on documents submitted to federal funders using standardized forms. Institutes ...
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Aristotle and Grant Writing: The Role of Persuasion In Writing a Successful Grant Application

Volume LVII, Number 2 | Karen E. Mosier University of Saskatchewan Abstract This article presents a conceptually grounded framework for enhancing the persuasiveness of research grant proposals through the strategic application of the classical rhetorical appeals—Ethos, Pathos, and Logos—collectively known as the Aristotelian Triad. Rooted in ancient rhetorical theory, these three modes of persuasion work synergistically to strengthen arguments, particularly in the high-stakes context of grant writing, where justifying the allocation of limited funding is critical. Drawing on real-life examples from successful faculty grant applications and analyzing ...
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A Midcareer Pivot into Research Administration: Lessons from Startup Environments & Rethinking Professional Pathways

Career Growth & Leadership | The world of entrepreneurship is fast-paced and unpredictable. In some ways, professionals in startups must be just as adaptable as the average research administrator. And yet, some might raise an eyebrow at those transitioning into research administration from non-traditional backgrounds. However, the versatile nature of our profession is a strength we should embrace. There is no one set path to success. Research administration is often seen as a highly technical field, one you can only master after years spent working in sponsored programs offices or university departments. But that’s not the whole story. ...
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Research Security Training: What, Who, and Why You Need it for Proposal Submissions

Grant Development & Strategy | Research Security is the latest buzz word in research administration. What is it, why should we care, and who is responsible? This article discusses the history and evolution of research security as we know it today, and what pre-award professionals need to know to ensure compliance from the very beginning. Research Security is the latest buzzword, now here to stay, with many funding agencies changing or adding policies that require mandatory security training certifications at the point of proposal submissions. For example, the National Science Foundation (NSF) currently requires each senior personnel ...
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From Signature to Stewardship: Building Cross-Functional Contracting Workflows That Strengthen Research Administration

Operations & Workflow Management | A contract’s signature is not the finish line—it is the starting point. Strong research institutions move beyond transactional contracting and build collaborative workflows that support monitoring, compliance, and sustainability. Here’s how cross-functional infrastructure transforms agreements into scalable stewardship systems. Research administrators (RAs) face pressure to increase efficiencies to help address federal funding and compliance changes, broader issues facing higher education, and shrinking resources. The authors explore applying free open AI solutions to some common operations tasks. ...
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NIH Clinical Trial Reforms and the Evolving Research Transparency Landscape

Regulatory & Compliance Oversight | The NIH recently reclassified BESH studies as non-clinical trials, reducing registration and reporting burdens, while simultaneously aligning its “intervention” definition with the 2018 Common Rule, expanding the scope of clinical trials. These conflicting decisions highlight the tension between administrative burden and research transparency amid growing expectations for research accountability. After prolonged debate, in January of 2026, the NIH announced it would no longer classify basic experimental studies involving humans (“BESH”) as meeting the definition of a “clinical trial,” effectively ...
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Catalyst Quarterly: April 2026

View the Full Issue (PDF)* Volume 02, Issue 01: April 2026 Editor's Note Dear Readers, I am delighted to introduce the first issue of volume 2 of the Catalyst Quarterly. We started our journey at the beginning of last year with a lot of ambiguity surrounding the reception of this new magazine format. Since then, the number of submissions has been consistently growing, resulting in a significant increase in the publication’s reach and impact. We couldn’t be more pleased going into this second volume. 2025 was a year of major changes in our field, and as all of us regain our footing, it’s important to remember the fundamental knowledge ...
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Volume LVII, Number 1 - From the Editor's Desk

From the Editor's Desk Author Jennifer E. Taylor, Ph.D., M.B.A. Rush Medical Center and University The Journal of Research Administration (JRA) is the premier scholarly publication in research administration and management. We publish timely, essential work that enhances the knowledge base for research administration and supports research administrators worldwide, making JRA a crucial resource for career development and for advancing the field’s overall knowledge. By publishing peer-reviewed scholarly articles, contributors not only advance their own careers but also elevate our profession. I am excited to share this special issue of the Journal ...
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Self-Auditing: Keys to Successfully Identifying Knowledge Gaps for Effectively Managing Industry-Sponsored Clinical Trials to Reduce Financial and Compliance Risks

Volume LVII, Number 1 Jennifer Harry Seattle Children’s Research Institute Ethan Arana Laird Norton Wetherby Marilyn Marshall Helios, Research Administrative Services Abstract This case study evaluates Seattle Children’s Research Institute’s self-audit process of 11 private industry-funded clinical trials, with a specific focus on post-award financial management. Our primary goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of newly implemented systems and processes designed to mitigate financial and compliance risks to the organization. This comprehensive review of our existing practices, including document integrity, identified areas for improvement ...
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A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis of Global Clinical Trials

Volume LVII, Number 1 Krishna B Bhadriraju Jenks High School Saint Francis Health System Mani Cheruvu, PhD* Saint Francis Health System Introduction In this era of evidence-based medicine, clinical trials are considered the gold standard for determining optimal patient treatment. As the research landscape evolves, multi-site and multinational clinical trials have become increasingly prevalent compared to conventional single-site studies (Lang & Siribaddana, 2012; Drain et al., 2014). While organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO; https://www.who.int/ ) have published best-practice guidance structured around core themes, including ...
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Cultivating Future Leaders: A Review of the Role of Mentorship in the Clinical Translational Research Workforce

Volume LVII, Number 1 Holly R. Zink, PhD University of Kansas Medical Center Jennifer Goldman, MD Children’s Mercy Kansas City Matthew W. Mosconi, PhD The University of Kansas Jacob Sosnoff, PhD University of Kansas Medical Center Lisa M. Harlan-Williams, PhD University of Kansas Medical Center Nikki Nollen, PhD University of Kansas Medical Center Abstract The continued advancement of impactful clinical translational research is critically dependent on the effective cultivation of future researchers through robust mentorship and structured career development support. Despite the recognized importance of mentorship in advancing ...
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Optimizing ClinicalTrials.gov Processes for Research Administrators

Volume LVII, Number 1 Anita Trupiano Rutgers Cancer Institute Rani Muthukrishnan Texas A&M University- San Antonio Abstract Research Administrators play a pivotal role in ensuring the success and compliance of clinical research projects registered in ClinicalTrials.gov. However, in practice, this process requires successful contributions from various stakeholders. Based on insights from research administrators, this study presents the challenges, best practices, and proposed solutions to streamline these processes. Through interviews with professionals across institutions, this article delves into the practical strategies to optimize the ...
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Enhancing the Research Administration of Clinical Trials in Medical Centers: Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategic Directions

Volume LVII, Number 1 Jennifer E. Taylor, Ph.D, MBA Rush MD Anderson Cancer Center Rush University Medical Center Abstract Clinical trials are essential for continuously improving patient care. However, managing clinical trials remains complex and lacks consistent support. Using a review method similar to a scoping study of recent literature—yet going beyond standard search parameters to include published papers, reports, and recommendations from select national groups—this article offers an overview and synthesis of current knowledge from multiple sources. Its goal is to identify critical challenges and promising opportunities shaping the landscape ...
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Deciphering the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education: Current State and Long-Term Impact

Op-Ed | Please note that the following op-ed discussion is based on the authors’ analysis of the Compact and not a reflection of the editors’ or SRAI’s views. The Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education is a proposal by the Trump administration to offer universities preferential access to federal funding and benefits in exchange for adopting a wide range of policies aligned with the administration's agenda. This two-part article breaks down the Compact and discusses its potential long-term impact. Part One: Overview and Current State of the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education The Compact for ...
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Why Research Administration Needs More Storytelling: Making the Quiet Wins Visible

Career Growth & Leadership | (Part I) Research administration runs on quiet wins—decisions, judgment calls, and interventions that rarely appear in metrics. This article explores why invisible labor matters, how storytelling strengthens professional identity, and why naming the work behind smooth outcomes is essential to how the field is understood and valued. Research administration is powered by countless decisions and interventions that rarely appear in dashboards, reports, or award announcements. While success is often measured in proposals submitted, dollars awarded, or studies launched, much of what actually keeps research ...
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Shifting Landscape: DEI Policy Changes and Their Impact on Government Funding and Institutional Practices

Current Affairs | Spotlight Story As federal DEI priorities undergo a rapid rewrite, this article cuts through the noise to reveal what the legal and regulatory pivots actually mean for research funding and institutional operations, providing a strategic roadmap for navigating the transition while upholding core commitments to inclusive excellence. US federal policy shifts have imposed significant constraints on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in publicly funded institutions. The current administration’s rollback of affirmative action and increased scrutiny of DEI-related funding have forced institutions to reevaluate ...
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5 Research Security Questions Every Study Team Should Be Able to Answer

Regulatory & Compliance Oversight | Research security doesn’t start in an office—it starts with study teams. This article reframes research security as a set of everyday decisions and introduces five essential questions teams should be able to answer to protect data, participants, and institutional trust. Research security is often framed just as a technical or compliance-driven issue—something managed through policies, systems, or oversight offices. But the most consequential security decisions are made much closer to the ground. They happen within study teams, through everyday choices about funding, data, participants, collaborators, ...
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Late Career Transitions: The Art of Embracing New Possibilities

Community & Member Engagement | Is it ever too late to contemplate a career transition? Based on my experience, I would say the answer is “no.” Job satisfaction and personal fulfillment are sometimes hard to align, but no one should spend time unhappy at work. Knowing when to go is crucial not only for job satisfaction but for personal growth as well. In this article, I describe my professional journey and evolution, including a surprising late career change that allows me to grow in new and unexpected ways. In today’s world, job satisfaction and personal fulfillment are sometimes hard to align. For the past 23 years, I have been ...
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