Blogs

Tenants of the Federal Government: Reading OMB's Uniform Guidance Rewrite as a Lease

Current Affairs | DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are the author’s own and do not represent those of SRAI or any other institution. SRAI does not recommend responding on behalf of your institution unless authorized to do so. Proposed rewrite of the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) reshapes how federal awards are selected, terminated, and monitored. A research contracts manager walks through four provisions with direct operational consequences for research administrators, shares where he lands on each, and explains why your comment matters before the submission deadline. Institutions conducting clinical research under ...
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Giving Back to the Profession That Shaped My Career

A long time ago, I thought my story was unique. Like many in our field, I did not set out to build a career in research administration. I fell into it…or maybe it found me. Over time, I realized that almost everyone I met had a similar origin story, often not realizing they were entering into a community and a profession that would shape their career. Many of those connections happen through the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI), whether virtually, in person at conferences and meetings, or through the everyday networking that brings our field together. After finishing graduate school in 2001, I accepted a Grant and Contract Specialist ...
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Research Administration’s Defining Moment: Leading Through Complexity, Innovation, and Change

As I seek election as Secretary of the SRAI Board of Directors, I am energized by both the opportunities and challenges facing research administration today. Our profession is navigating a period of unprecedented change marked by evolving federal policies, increasing regulatory and compliance requirements, growing financial pressures on research institutions, and heightened expectations for transparency, accountability, and public trust. At the same time, research portfolios have become increasingly complex, requiring administrators to manage multidisciplinary collaborations, advanced technologies, large-scale data initiatives, and expanding partnerships across ...
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Leading Forward: Why I’m Running for At-Large Board Member and My Vision for SRAI’s Future

For more than two decades, my career has been shaped by the belief that research administration is not just a profession – it is a calling. I’ve had the privilege of serving in roles across clinical research, cradle-to-grave, finance, operations, and strategic leadership, from Cincinnati Children’s, University of Cincinnati, to TriHealth, Inc., to founding Clinical Research Analytics, Inc. Along the way, SRAI has been the constant thread that strengthened my skills, expanded my perspective, and connected me to a community that feels like home. My journey with SRAI began in 2009, and since then I’ve served as Midwest Section President/Secretary/Treasurer, Distinguished ...
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SRAI and The Work Ahead

I am running for the SRAI Board of Directors as an At-Large Board Member because I want to help SRAI continue building the kind of practical, member-focused support that research administrators need right now. Research administration is changing quickly, and SRAI gives us a place to think through that change together. I am also grateful because SRAI has been one of the places where I have been able to learn, share, ask questions, test ideas, and connect with people who understand the real work of research administration. That matters to me. Research administration is rewarding work, but it is not easy work. Most of us are operating in a space where the rules ...
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SRAI – Open to All

My name is Anthony Edmondson, and I am seeking the position of SRAI At-Large Board Member to serve as your liaison, dedicated to advancing our society’s purpose as outlined in SRAI Bylaws, Article II: The education of research administration professionals and the enhancement of communication among all stakeholders . Over the past four years, I have attended open sessions of the Annual Board of Directors Meetings in San Antonio, Chicago, and Seattle to gain a deeper understanding of SRAI operations. Through this experience, I observed the strategic planning and decision-making conducted on behalf of SRAI members. The Board of Directors actively works to fulfill ...
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Making the Connection in Research Administration

Research administration is built on work that is often unseen but essential. Behind every successful proposal, funded project, compliant report, and research breakthrough is a network of professionals ensuring that systems function, risks are managed, and institutions remain accountable. Yet much of this work remains invisible, even within our own organizations. As our profession continues to evolve, the challenge is not simply to sustain what we have built, but to ensure that the work we do is fully understood, valued, and structurally supported. Too often, compliance gaps, operational challenges, and workforce struggles are attributed to individuals rather ...
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Moving Forward in Challenging Times

I am pleased to submit my nomination for an At-Large Board Member position for SRAI. I have been part of SRAI for the past 15 years, actively engaged for the last decade. I have found this Society to be revelatory, in that it welcomes all individuals with open arms and encourages them to grow themselves and the field of research administration. SRAI excels in professional development, networking, education, and research. The Society is aspirational and encouraging. Simply put, it is an exemplary resource for current and future research administrators and has become the standard by which we judge ourselves and our field. I have over three decades of experience ...
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Future of SRAI: Leading with Experience, Inclusion, and Practical Vision

I believe I will be an excellent At-Large Board Member for SRAI because I bring a combination of deep operational experience, visionary leadership, and long-term commitment to the Society. To begin, I understand the full research administration lifecycle. For example, at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSCH), I helped launch the Intellectual Property office, oversaw all pre-proposal services, and led faculty training and education. At Temple University, I have managed the process from proposal submission through award closeout and have been actively involved in large-scale, institution-level proposals during a period when Temple ...
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The Future of SRAI and Why it Matters

My initial engagement with SRAI commenced at a meeting in San Diego, California over a decade ago, and since then, I have maintained a steadfast commitment. As a member of the SRAI community, I have experienced both personal and professional growth. I have been able to apply the knowledge acquired and assume a leadership role. As we contemplate the future, I aspire to contribute to the continued success of SRAI by influencing decision-making processes and advocating for the needs of SRAI members. This can be achieved by focusing on several key areas. Firstly, SRAI should consider incorporating more leadership sessions into its annual meetings and online offerings. ...
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An Educator’s Vision: Engagement and the Future of SRAI

I am excited to run for an At-Large position on the SRAI Board of Directors. I made my decision because I am grateful to SRAI and because of my deep belief in the future of our profession. SRAI has been important in shaping me as a research administrator. Also, I see Board service as an opportunity to give back to this community, which has helped me grow professionally. I very much want to continue my service and to be a part of SRAI’s next chapter. SRAI’s mission resonates with me. The mission, which is to empower research administrators globally with the knowledge, resources, and community they need to excel, collaborate, and drive impactful research, ...
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Volume LVII, Number 2 - From the Editor's Desk

From the Editor's Desk Author Holly Zink, PhD, MSA University of Kansas It is my privilege to introduce the Spring 2026 issue of the Journal of Research Administration and to do so as the journal’s new Editor-in-Chief. I step into this role with deep respect for the journal’s history and a clear commitment to strengthening its position as a rigorous, globally representative scholarly forum for research administration, both as a profession and as a field of study. The articles in this issue span North America, Europe, and Africa—with contributions from the United States, Canada, Denmark, Uganda, and Portugal—illustrating the increasingly international ...
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Building Research Infrastructures from Ground Zero in Biomedical Laboratory Science at Six Bachelor’s Degree University Colleges: A Decade of Danish Experience

Volume LVII, Number 2 | Julie Smith Biomedical Laboratory Science, Department of Technology, Faculty of Health, University College Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark Helen Nordahl Madsen Education of Biomedical Laboratory Science and Research Centre for Rehabilitation, VIA University College, Aarhus N, Denmark Lene Noehr-Jensen Biomedical Laboratory Science, Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy and Radiography, UCL University College, Odense, Denmark Steffen Jørgensen Biomedical Laboratory Science, Centre for Engineering and Science, University College Absalon, Naestved, Denmark Leif Kofoed Nielsen Biomedical Laboratory ...
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Why Community Matters More Than Ever for Early-Career Research Administrators

Community & Member Engagement | Spotlight Story Remote and hybrid work can lead to increased isolation. Through mentorship, peer support, and community, research administrators can build confidence, strengthen their connections, and achieve long-term success in the field. Research Administration is a rapidly changing habitat, which can be challenging for new professionals that are just getting their feet wet. Furthermore, while remote work might offer better work-life balance for some (Nagaprakash T. et al., 2024), it can lead to feelings of isolation and lack of institutional support among early-career research administrators. ...
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Indirect Costs Explained in a Practical Way

Grant Development & Strategy | Explaining indirect costs to the non-research administrator can feel overwhelming, yet these costs can be explained in an easy-to-understand way while stressing their importance, necessity, and benefits When you sit down to discuss the first budget proposal with a potential principal investigator (PI), especially if they are new investigators, the question of indirect costs always comes up. Most project budgets include two types of costs: direct and indirect. Direct costs are obvious, but how do you explain indirect costs to your PIs and those new to budget development? Indirect costs aka overhead, facilities ...
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Prescribed Burns, Not Wildfires: Transforming Portfolio Management from Reactive to Strategic

Operations & Workflow Management | We’ve all been there, standing in front of the wildfire called work, wondering how to tackle it. Many research administrators stand before the fire of reactive accounting; but can you change worlds without burning down the house? Yes. It takes time, but you can plan for tomorrow’s fire, today. All over our community, we are referred to as firefighters. We move from one firefight to another, and this tends to be the norm for many research administrators (RAs). Is it possible to move from being completely reactive to proactively planning and forecasting for your portfolios? Yes! Is it going to happen ...
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Travel Trouble: Hotels, Motels, Holiday Inn and Everything in Between

Grant Management & Financial Oversight | When it comes to lodging, a little planning upfront can save a lot of trouble later. Learn how to navigate lodging decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and make choices that won’t come back to haunt you later. Federal regulations on lodging are intentionally broad, requiring only that costs be reasonable. That sounds straightforward, but in practice, “reasonable” can be highly subjective—especially when your audience ranges from undergraduate students to senior researchers. Thankfully, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) provides per diem rates that offer a helpful benchmark. While ...
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The Role of Research in the Professional Development of Research Administrators

Career Growth & Leadership | How can research administrators help close the profession’s knowledge gaps? By doing research themselves. Explore how research in practice can drive better outcomes, efficiency, and professional growth. Research administrators are drivers of research and innovation, providing quiet support through proposal development, alleviating administrative burden, and more. Their work often unnoticed, these professionals drive the nascent research administration profession. However, significant knowledge gaps persist. One way to fill the gaps is through research in practice. Research in practice involves undertaking ...
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Intellectual Property: Levels of Awareness Among Researchers and Research Managers at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Uganda

Volume LVII, Number 2 | Stella Kakeeto Makerere University School of Public Health Mordecai Tayebwa Makerere University College of Health Sciences Wasiu Afolabi University of Cape Town Christine Nalwadda Makerere University School of Public Health Abstract Background: We conducted a needs assessment to assess the status and level of awareness of Intellectual Property management (IPM), as well as identify gaps in intellectual property management guidelines. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and July 2021 among researchers and research managers at Makerere University College of Health Sciences in Uganda. ...
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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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