When your institution does not have the financial bandwidth to invest in paid services, we have to become very innovative by maximizing the resources that currently exist within our institution. Learning new ways to work smarter and not harder to streamline procedures to continuously improve the level of customer service we provide. During this session, we will share actions we took to improve the level of customer service we provide to our research community.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming research administration, offering new opportunities to streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and reduce administrative burden. However, navigating the AI landscape can be overwhelming, with concerns about accuracy, security, and implementation costs. This webinar, led by Dan Harmon and Lori Schultz, will provide research administrators with a foundational understanding of AI, including its capabilities and limitations, key terminology, available tools, and real-world use cases. Participants will also gain insights into data governance, institutional resources, and practical strategies for getting started with AI-powered workflows. Whether you're curious about AI or looking for ways to integrate it into your work, this session will equip you with essential knowledge and actionable steps.

As research administration becomes increasingly complex, AI-powered solutions offer a transformative opportunity to enhance efficiency and responsiveness in customer service. This session will explore how AI can streamline processes, reduce administrative burden, and improve the overall service experience for researchers and staff. Participants will gain insight into the current landscape of AI in customer service, including available tools and best practices. Additionally, we will walk through the development process AI chatbots tailored for research administration, highlighting key considerations such as data integration, knowledge base maintenance, automation, and user interaction. Whether you are just beginning to explore AI or looking to refine your existing approach, this session will provide valuable guidance on leveraging AI to meet the unique challenges of research administration

Research administration (RA) and research development (RD) are distinct but closely related functions within the broader field of academic research management. They involve different aspects of supporting research activities at universities and research institutions. While at times the two roles may overlap, they serve different purposes within the broader framework of supporting and advancing research activities in academic institutions. The session will explore the unique contributions of both research development and research administration to the research enterprise. Participants will have the opportunity to learn the value of both professional roles, discuss operational challenges, and explore collaboration opportunities to enhance research outcomes. Through interactive sessions and expert-led discussions, participants will gain valuable insights to encourage a stronger collaborative environment. The webinar will cover tips and strategies for ensuring success with navigation between both RA and RD functions and activities.

As federal funding policies continue to evolve, institutions managing service centers must proactively adapt to potential reductions in research funding and shifting cost recovery limitations. This session explores the financial and operational complexities of service center management, focusing on advanced cost analysis, rate setting strategies, external user pricing, and compliance with federal guidelines. With ongoing discussions surrounding limitations on indirect cost recovery—such as the recently proposed 15% cap at NIH—institutions face increased pressure to maximize cost recovery while ensuring compliance. This session will examine strategies for optimizing service center operations, developing sustainable financial models, and leveraging alternative revenue sources. Through real-world case studies and interactive discussions, participants will learn how to align their service center structures with institutional priorities while navigating federal cost principles, financial sustainability, and external audit expectations.

Our projects frequently include collaborations with others. These collaborations can vary in the level of involvement and face-to-face engagement. While we may be adept at navigating these partnerships when the other entity is another US-based institution of higher education, what do we need to consider when we collaborate with other types of entities? What might differ in our approach? Using a scientific example as our guide, we will develop a thorough approach to collaborations that helps us develop a plan for success. We will talk through various aspects of potential collaborations, the related things to keep in mind, and potential questions to ask. For example, will the collaborator need to be on our campus, will they need access to our systems, are they subject to the single audit requirements? This session focuses on the questions to ask to get a full picture of the involvement of the collaborator. In some cases, we will have tried-and-true methods to share, but in others, we aim to help participants develop an approach for decisions that rely more on institutional policies and risk tolerance.

Navigating the complexities of post-award grant management can be challenging for both grant recipients and administrators. This webinar will provide a clear understanding of post-award allowability requirements, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and non-governmental funding policies while maximizing the impact of grant funds.

In this webinar, we'll explore the critical role that departmental research administrators play in the management and reporting of sponsored projects. Attendees will gain insight into how they can best support the lifecycle of research grants and contracts, including overall project management, timeline tracking, and compliance with reporting and terms. We will discuss tools and strategies that research administrators can use to support Principal Investigators (PIs) in understanding award obligations and ensuring successful project execution. Key topics will include navigating award terms and reporting requirements, managing deadlines, and working with central offices, funding agencies, and other key internal stakeholders.

From idea to reality: The bridge from proposal submission to project management is an important transition. This session delves into the best practices necessary to set awards on a path to post-award success. While the excitement of winning can feel rewarding, it signals the kickoff of long-haul award management. Diligent attention, management, and communication can ensure the project adheres to sponsor and institutional guidelines. This session promises to be an invaluable resource for research administrators, project managers, and researchers, providing attendees with the real-world tools and knowledge necessary to transition their projects from proposal to post-award.

Academic institutions are committed to maintaining openness and inclusivity in research, whether the collaboration is across campus, the region, or the globe. Institutions must uphold their missions while navigating a changing regulatory landscape and foster due diligence in international activities to mitigate risks and promote principled collaborations. This workshop will provide the latest information on NSPM-33 and relevant CHIPS Act research security requirements. It will offer attendees the opportunity to engage with each other on strategies for preparing for and implementing a research security program. University-wide awareness and engagement are critical for developing an effective program. Workshop leads will discuss how they have garnered institutional support for creating or updating university policy and processes in preparation for meeting NSPM-33 standards and elicit successful strategies from participants. Lastly, panelists and attendees will work in small groups and report out key strategic developments, investments, and resources that their respective universities have made.

This workshop provides a primary basis of understanding of proposals to and awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program is perfect for someone new to research administration, as well as for research administrators seeking to expand their knowledge of federal funding agencies. The curriculum provides an overview of the policies and procedures essential to preparing successful proposals to and managing grant awards from NSF.

This workshop provides a primary basis of understanding of applications to and awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This workshop will give you the basics and we will walk you through the grants process, and give you an overview of key resources and websites you will need to be successful. The program is perfect for someone new to Research Administration, as well as for Research Administrators seeking to expand their knowledge of NIH. The curriculum provides an overview of the policies and procedures essential to preparing successful applications to and managing grant awards from the NIH.