Startups, IP, and Navigating Conflicts of Interest (Compliance - Concurrent - Any/All)

• Emma Kagel (Beth Israel Lahey Health)

• Tod Woolf (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)

Investigators’ and clinicians’ development and engagement with startups is more pervasive than ever before. More researchers are joining institutions with pre-existing relationships and IP development with the expectations to continue those (often personally advantageous) relationships while fulfilling (and, often, expanding) their institutional responsibilities. Those and others are given increasing opportunities for outside activities as their reputation and area of expertise formalizes as part of their deliverables of their institutional responsibilities. Meanwhile, the relationships that these researchers develop as part of outside activities and entrepreneurship is instrumental to the advancement of science. Supporting these endeavors is critical to recruitment and retention as well as employment satisfaction. Institutions benefit tremendously from these relationships and entrepreneurship as well. And, those benefits translate directly to optimizing healthcare delivery to the communities we serve.

Academic medical centers’ conflict of interest and technology ventures teams are challenged to keep up with this explosion of outside activities that increase the organizational conflict of interests, institutional conflicts of interests, research conflicts of interests, and IP ownership/rights spaces. In this session we will explore the traditional model of identifying and mitigating conflicts of research, the current challenges to that model, and predictions of where we are going in this space.

Demystifying the Federal Research Policy Ecosystem (Federal - Concurrent - Any/All)

• Robert Prentiss (Yale)

New and updated policy requirements are ever present in research administration. This session will provide an overview of the organizations that are involved directly or indirectly in federal research policymaking. We will discuss how they originated, what purpose they serve, how they interact with each another, and their most important initiatives.

Leading by Trust: The End of Micromanagement in Remote Research Administration (Management/Leadership - Concurrent - Any/All

• Sabrina Heisey (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)

• Joanna Scaparotti Norris (Brigham & Women’s Hospital)

As research administration continues to evolve in a remote and hybrid work environment, traditional leadership models that rely on close oversight and micromanagement are becoming less effective. The modern research administrator needs leaders who inspire trust, empower teams, and foster autonomy—without sacrificing accountability or productivity. In this session, we will explore how research administrators can shift away from micromanagement and embrace leadership strategies that promote empowerment, collaboration, and outcomes-based performance. Through case studies, real-world examples, and interactive discussions, attendees will learn how to cultivate a culture of trust, improve communication, and lead research teams effectively in a remote setting.

This session will equip participants with actionable tools and strategies to build a more empowered, motivated, and autonomous research administration workforce. Attendees will leave with concrete approaches to implement in their own institutions to foster a healthy, productive remote work environment while encouraging innovation and collaboration.

Navigating Complex Challenges: Collaborative Strategies with Faculty (Post-Award - Discussion - Any/All)

• Alexandra (Ally) Urban (University of Connecticut)

• Margaret Vassilopoulos (University of Connecticut)

Facilitate discussions on effective collaboration and communication with faculty and Principal Investigators (PIs) to tackle complex problems and tasks. Our office continually refines and develops practices for clear and concise communication with faculty and staff. This includes implementing new meeting schedules, award kick-off protocols, and standardizing communication for routine deadlines (such as closeout documentation, RPPRs, and Effort Reports). Our goal is to bring members together to share the strengths of their workflows and identify opportunities for growth, aiming to enhance communication practices and drive collective success forward.

Pre-award Metrics - Demonstrating Value for non-quantifiable Research Admin Work (Pre-Award - - Discussion - Any/All)

• Alison Willis (Dartmouth Health)

• Erika Pierce (Dartmouth Health)

It's fairly easy to provide metrics for the quantity of proposals submitted in a year, or award dollars under management, but many of the duties of the central preaward office can be hard to quantify. This discussion group will investigate types of workload in the central office that are not readily quantifiable, methods of data capture, and ways to present data to other offices/parties and leadership to demonstrate workload and potentially support FTE assessments.

Phooey we have been FOIA’d - now what? FOIA and how these requests can impact federal grants (Compliance - Concurrent -Beginner)

• Michelle Schatz (Harvard Medical School)

• Eleanor Kuszmar (Harvard Medical School)

Information requests based on information access laws are proliferating in research for many reasons. In this session, we will examine different types of information requests in research and what documents are subject to such requests. Federal, state and local laws that govern information requests will be compared and analyzed. Differences in obligations and risks for public vs private institutions will be discussed. We will demystify exemptions and provide tips on limiting exposure for sensitive research information. There will be a discussion of current information request cases and we will identify strategies to reduce risk to both institutions and individuals.

Objectives:

• Understand the different types of records laws and what types of research records are subject to records requests

• Explain what information is exempt from requests and provide tips on limiting exposure to institutions

-Examine the risks and obligations associated with different state open records law

NSF GRANTED Program (Federal - Any/All)

Given the rapidly changing political landscape, NCURA Region I has not been able to confirm an update from NSF at this time. We understand the value of this session to our members and are keeping this time open as a placeholder in the hope that circumstances will allow for NSF to join us.

Harnessing Technology: Revolutionizing Research Administration with AI and Automation (Management/Leadership - Concurrent - Any/All)

• Charles Thomas (Dana Farber Cancer Institute)

This is a far left idea, but I am excited about bringing more attention to this area of Research Administration. While my institution is no where near having any of this figured out or in leading the charge with AI in Research Administration, I would be honored to lead an interactive discussion or presentation to discuss some of the below major topics in this area.

Understand the Current Landscape of AI and automation technologies in Research Administration with key trends and developments.

• Explore specific areas within research administration where AI and automation can be effectively integrated to enhance efficiency and reduce manual workloads.

• Talk about some of the various AI tools available or research administration (if any!)

• Ethical and compliance considerations

• Case studies, if any!

• Brainstoriming

• Networking and knowledge exchange

Focusing on Logical Steps and Mindfulness (Professional Development - Discussion - Any/All)

• Catherine Burroughs (Harvard Medical School)

• Catherine Gyewu (MIT)

Research administrators are asked to balance every aspect of their faculty’s financial activities, from the daily minutiae to proposals to planning financial support for years to come for dozens of people. Realizing how critical our work really is to keeping research going and people employed can cause high stress levels and guilt when we can’t complete everything we want to, and the burden only increases when we face competing deadlines (and anxious faculty).  This session will discuss how to build a resource library (including best-practices for ourselves) that helps us address common tasks while staying flexible enough to meet daily challenges head-on, identify a sustainable workload, and manage expectations through process education and clear communication with teammates, colleagues, and stakeholders.

Building Research Administration Capacity at PUIs: A Statewide Project Designed by and for PUIs (PUI - Concurrent - Intermediate)

• Peter Wong (Roger Williams University)

• Kris Monahan (Providence College)

Statewide projects are often led by R1 and R2 institutions with PUIs added without much input in the project development process. To better engage PUIs in statewide projects, there is a need to start developing projects designed by and for PUIs. PUIs add significant value to a state's workforce, research activities, student research pipeline, and economic development. This discussion session uses a recent NSF grant award to the Rhode Island Research Administration Collaborative (RIRAC) as a starting point to engage participants about challenges and opportunities in their state. RIRAC includes Roger Williams University, Providence College, Rhode Island College, Salve Regina University, and Rhode Island School of Design.

Learning Objectives:
(1) Participants will learn about strategies and approaches to create a statewide project for PUI grants administration.
(2) They will also learn more about the different grants-related organizational structures at PUIs

The Nuts and Bolts of the New PHS Research Misconduct Regulations (Compliance - Concurrent - Intermediate/Advanced)

• Kirby Johnson (Tufts)

• Morgen Bergman (Brandeis)

In this session we will discuss the new PHS Research Misconduct Regulations

Learning objectives include:

• To explain the key changes in the regulation;

• Discuss the timing required for implementation and actions institutions need to take place;

• Discuss how the changes will impact the role of compliance staff;

• To highlight the importance of research integrity

Training New Research Administration Professionals (Management/Leadership - Concurrent - Any/All)

• Nancy Bloch (The Miriam Hospital/Brown University Health)

The purpose of this presentation is a training program to bring seasoned business professionals to the research administration field. We will utilize a specific training system that is designed to reduce the time required for training and will increase proficiency.

The objectives of this session would be to utilize and build on the skills of seasoned business professionals to become new research administrators. These business professionals bring a unique set of highly transferable skills to the research administration field. Utilizing a specific method I created for banking professionals; I will expand the initial prototype to include all types of business professionals

TBD (Post-Award - Beginner)

• Rady Rodgers

Proposal Portal Party - A deep dive into the intricacies and nuances of application submission portals (Pre-Award - Concurrent - Any/All)

• Jacob Heiden (University of Connecticut)

• Victoria Rosado (University of Connecticut)

• Courtney Gunter (University of Connecticut)

The presenters will discuss common questions and issues that arise in your favorite (and least favorite) proposal submission portals including ASSIST, Research.gov, Grants.gov, NSPIRES, Simons Foundation, and more.

Attendees will learn about the general requirements of each portal and will review common confusions, error messages, and ways to resolve errors.

So you want to be a Research Administrator Consultant? (Professional Development - Discussion - Any/All)

• Geraldine Pierre (Boston Children’s Hospital)

• Erin Ryan (Erin Ryan Consulting)

Would you like to go out on your own and provide support to a chosen collection of clients that appeal to your areas of interest? Or perhaps you’re looking for a moonlighting per diem opportunity to make a little extra cash to conduct research administration on your own time per week?

Regardless of your motivation, if you ever considered consulting, then this is the session for you.

Join this robust discussion as we share experiences about the good, the bad and ugly of consulting in the Research Administration profession.

Discussion topics will cover:

• Various consulting options to consider before branching out;

• The types of consulting opportunities that exist-W2 vs 1099 options employment options;

• Networking opportunities: How to get started and where to find clients

Research Development hot topic: Onboarding new PIs (PUI - Discussion - Intermediate)

• Dalila Alves (Providence College)

Let’s share and review the techniques we use at our PUIs to orient brand new PIs to the grants life cycle. In this discussion group, Dalila will illustrate examples of orientation initiatives from Providence College for first time grant submitters, and then will open the floor to hear from you. We will compare notes on our onboarding approaches, and learn from each other how we may improve the grants onboarding experience at our institutions for all parties involved.

Newcomers’ Reception

• 4:00p-5:00p

• Room TBD

Welcome Reception

• 5:00p-6:30p

• Room TBD

Dinner Groups

• Meet in Hotel Lobby at 6:15p

Hospitality Suite

• 8:30p-11:00p

• Room TBD

Navigating OMB Uniform Guidance Updates: Ensuring Compliance in an Evolving Landscape (Compliance - Concurrent - Any/All)

• Gil Tran (Attain Partners)

• Amanda Humphrey (Northeastern University)

The presentation will provide an overview of the latest updates on OMB Uniform Guidance, focusing on their implications for compliance. Attendees will gain insights into key changes, such as new thresholds for equipment and subawards, procurement standards, reporting requirements, and subrecipient monitoring, while exploring strategies to adapt to these updates and maintain regulatory alignment.

COGR Update (Federal - Concurrent - Any/All)

• Cindy Hope (COGR)

• Krystal Toups (COGR)

Join COGR for a session that explores the evolving federal regulatory landscape and its impact on research. This session will provide an overview of COGR’s role in shaping national policy by “Advancing Effective Research Policy.”  Attendees will gain insight into recent and upcoming federal policy changes, COGR’s ongoing initiatives, and opportunities to engage in open discussion on key challenges. Don’t miss this chance to connect with peers and contribute to the conversation on policies that shape the future of research.

Creating the Right Culture at Work and Why it is Important (Management/Leadership - Discussion - Any/All)

• Jennifer Sabbagh (Jennifer Sabbagh Consulting)

• Manouchka Jean-Gilles (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)

The presentation/discussion group dives into the importance of workplace culture and its impact on organizational success. Participants will explore why culture matters, the key components of a positive and inclusive work environment and practical strategies for leaders to engage employees effectively. Learn how to foster collaboration, drive employee satisfaction, and sustain a healthy, thriving culture that supports both individual and organizational growth. Perfect for leaders and teams looking to create a meaningful, lasting change int their workplace.

Learning Objectives:

• why workplace culture matters

• key components of a positive workplace culture

• strategies for leaders

• engaging employees

• sustaining a healthy culture

A Survey of Subrecipient Monitoring Tools (Post-Award - Concurrent - Intermediate)

• Robert Prentiss (Yale)

The federal regulations regarding subrecipient monitoring apply to a wide variety of organizations that use a multitude of practical tools to meet those regulations. This session will provide an overview of those tools with the opportunity for discussion about them.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn about the common tools used for subrecipient monitoring, including subrecipient commitment forms, risk assessment questionnaires, and financial questionnaires for subrecipients not subject to the Single Audit.

• Participants will learn about online tools for obtaining information about and evaluating high risk subrecipients.

• Participants will discuss the pros and cons regarding different approaches to subrecipient risk assessment and subrecipient monitoring.

Succession Planning, Professional Development, and Dealing with the Unknown (ie, Everyday) (Professional Development - Discussion - Any/All)

• Elizabeth Buchanan (University of Rhode Island)

• Laura Bellavia (University of Rhode Island)

The research administration workforce has seen dramatic changes over the past few years, from pivoting to a remote work force to mass retirements and resignations; indeed, earlier research has suggested that employee turnover is one of the most difficult types of turnover to manage (Ertas, 2015). This discussion will highlight institutional responses to significant staffing transitions, including perspectives from institutional leadership and research administrators.

Specifically, we will describe the creation of "research concierge" positions, the development of "CoRA," a community of research administrators, strategies to effectively address succession planning, and cross-campus professional development opportunities for our research community.

Objectives:

1. Describe ongoing challenges to staffing and professional development opportunities for research administration.
2. Highlight specific initiatives that were implemented to bridge campus-wide gaps in research administration.
3. Share best practices and strategies to successfully weather the staffing challenges in research administration.

Developing Policies & SOPs at a PUI (PUI - Concurrent - TBD)

• Theresa Bishop (Bates College)

Research Security - NSPM-33 and the CHIPS and Science Act: A Primer for Research Administrators at Academic Medical Centers (Compliance - Concurrent -Beginner)

• Jonathan Ewald (Beth Israel Lahey Health)

• Elizabeth Amis (Beth Israel Lahey Health)

• Lauren Peter (Beth Israel Lahey Health)

With NSPM-33 and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) are required to establish elevated research security programs similar to institutions that are involved in classified research, as a condition of accepting US grant funds. Final guidance from research-funding government agencies, including NSF, DOD, and NIH, are expected to be published prior to this conference. These will finally provide a detailed framework of the security program requirements that have been anticipated for over a year.

Ultimately, these changes are expected to add to and alter processes that impact Research Administration and project management. We will provide an overview of the latest research security program guidances, highlighting where and how these changes may likely impact research administration and operations.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will gain a familiarity with final Research Security requirements and how they may be expected to impact Research Administration. Topics include: Administrative requirements, and training resources; MFTRPs; Disclosures; “Covered Individuals” and “Other Support”, Data security and export controls; Travel security.

From Managing Grants to Managing Grant Managers: Embracing Leadership in a Changing Landscape (Management/Leadership - Concurrent - Intermediate)

• Brandon Ruggiero (Boston University School of Public Health)

• Patrick DeCoste (Boston University School of Public Health)

Transitioning from directly managing grants to overseeing a team who manage grants presents unique challenges, especially in an era of rapid technological advancement. This session will explore strategies for effective leadership in grant management, including fostering a collaborative team environment, aligning staff performance with institutional goals, and navigating delegation and supervision. Effective management requires setting clear expectations, fostering collaboration, providing professional development, and addressing challenges like resource constraints and team dynamics.

Key strategies focus on improving performance, enhancing communication, and building strong teams. The presentation concludes with a look at how technology, particularly AI, is transforming research administration by automating repetitive tasks, enhancing data analysis, and enabling more efficient and innovative practices.

What Keep You Up at Night? (Post-Award - Discussion - Any/All)

• Louise Griffin (University of New Hampshire)

• Jill Mortali (Dartmouth)

Join us for an engaging discussion on the evolving landscape of post-award research administration. While your team may operate smoothly, new challenges have emerged that can keep everyone on edge and awake at night. From navigating research security concerns to adapting to the latest Uniform Guidance (UG) requirements regarding indirect cost limitations, these issues require our vigilant attention. In this interactive session, we will explore complex topics, including participant support costs, Facilities and Administrative (F&A) negotiations, rate discrepancies, unusual cost considerations, and the impacts of audits. Bring your most puzzling issues or share your innovative solutions to complex problems. Let’s collaborate to uncover strategies that will help both you and your team rest a little easier!

Bridging the Gap(s): Communication and Its Integral Role in Research Administration (RA) Success (Pre-Award - Concurrent - Intermediate)

• Brianne Carter (University of Maine)

In this session, a Department Research Administrator (DRA) and member of the Project Management Office (PMO) discuss the proposal process from potentially conflicting perspectives, how they transition a complex SOW into an understandable budget template, and how communication has been the key to successful proposals; this includes developing accountability and trust between teams, as well as the ability to pivot quickly to accommodate unexpected sponsor requests.

Learning Objectives

i. Understand how proactive communication between Research Administration and the PI or PMO can facilitate the process at proposal submission stage, as well as simplify negotiations at the proposal acceptance stage.

ii. Recognize emerging sponsor requests that are becoming increasingly common, such as Data Management Plans, Workforce Development components, and Buy America Requirements.

iii. Effectively and consistently engage a Central Sponsored Programs Office and other campus stakeholders to anticipate and mitigate roadblocks for proposal submission and/or award acceptance.

Prerequisites - Participants should have a basic knowledge of project management, research administration and federal proposal development

Balancing Act: Navigating Personal, Team, and Organizational Needs for New Supervisors (Professional Development - Concurrent - Intermediate)

• Lana Metayer (University of Vermont)

• Nancy Bloch (The Miriam Hospital/Brown University Health)

Often promoted for their functional skills within research administration, many new supervisors find themselves navigating the complexities of motivating, managing, and holding their staff accountable on their own. This session will offer a practical approach to their new role, equipping participants with strategies to balance their personal needs with those of their teams and the broader organizations. We will discuss the importance of defining leadership philosophy, the benefits of ongoing development and mentorship, and suggest methods for setting boundaries for themselves and their staff. Additionally, the session will explore the purpose and value of effective leadership, and the significant impact leaders can have on the experiences, productivity, and engagement of their teams.

PUI Research Administration: Effectively Using Consulting to Fill Gaps (PUI - Discussion -Intermediate)

• Sandra Castaldini (Babson College)

• Aline Nandelstadt (Soigné Consulting)

This session offers a practical exploration of how and when partnering with a consultant can effectively address challenges in the pre-award and post-award processes at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs). Moderators Sandra Castaldini and Aline Nandelstadt will draw on their extensive experience and current partnership to share actionable insights, real-world case studies, and tailored strategies to help attendees maximize the impact of consulting partnerships in research administration.

International Collaborations and Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Compliance - Concurrent - Intermediate)

• Elizabeth Amis (Beth Israel Lahey Health)

• Teresa Zash (Dana Farber Cancer Institute)

International Collaborations are vital to advances in research, yet they can present significant risk. Hear stories from the trenches, learn what factors can increase risk, and who to call if you have a concern. Attendees will learn how to support their PI in spotting potential problems and approaches to mitigate risk. Attendees will learn how to identify a bonafide Foreign Talent Recruitment Program vs. a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program and why it matters. Regulatory references include the Chips & Science Act of 2022 and NSPM-33.

Best Lessons Learned in Leadership/Inspirational Sources for Effective Leadership (Management/Leadership - Discussion - Intermediate)

• TBD

Description

Degree and Certification Panel; Educational Paths for the RA (Professional Development - Concurrent - Any/All)

• Amy Ellis (Yale)

• Paula Robinson (Northeastern University)

• Heather Dominey (Brown)

• Kim Kiore (Yale)

This structured conversation will explore the degrees and certifications offered in the field of Research Administration. Bring your questions to those who have pursued these educational pathways and discover if any might be right for your career path.

Managing Expectations for Increased Grant Submissions at PUIs (PUIs - Discussion - Intermediate)

• Lori Parmet (Olin College of Engineering)

• Bonnie Troupe (Stonehill College)

• Christopher Medalis (School of International Training)

Many of us in PUI environments are under pressure from senior leadership to increase grant submissions and to bring in more money to support our institutions. How do you support faculty in handling these directives, and how do you fit this increased workload onto your already-full plate? How do you work with leadership when their expectations are unrealistic? In this discussion session, we will share how we have handled directives from leadership to increase grant submissions for specific new programs and more broadly. We will lead a discussion focused on strategies for working with leadership to help right-size their expectations, and we will discuss ways in which we use data to inform them. Please come ready to share your best stories and strategies, helpful resources, and any current issues for which you’d like to receive support and advice.

Export Controls Regulations: How They Impact Universities (Compliance - Discussion - Beginner/Intermediate)

• Jennifer Saak (Traliance)

• Juliane Blyth (Brown)

U.S. export controls are federal regulations that impact universities in a surprisingly large number of ways. These regulations, which stem from three different government agencies, have broad implications for universities and all research organizations. This discussion group will focus on covering real-world examples of how the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms in Regulations (ITAR), and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Regulations affect academic endeavors. It will include a discussion around screening for fundamental research, export controlled items (goods, technology, and software), sanctioned countries, and restricted parties. We’ll make connections to critical operational processes related to pre-award, visa sponsorship, procurement, travel, and shipping.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn about the agencies that govern US export controls and the basic principles behind the regulations.

2. Learn about real-world examples where an export controls analysis was critical to compliance.

3. Learn about operational screening processes and systems that help drive compliance across an institution.

TBD - NSF Update (Federal - Any/All)

• TBD

Given the rapidly changing political landscape, NCURA Region I has not been able to confirm an update from NSF at this time. We understand the value of this session to our members and are keeping this time open as a placeholder in the hope that circumstances will allow for NSF to join us.

Planning for the Future of Research Administration (Management/Leadership - Concurrent - Intermediate/Advanced)

• Joanna Scaparotti Norris (Brigham & Women’s Hospital)

• Sabrina Heisey (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)

In 10 years, some of the most experienced individuals in research administration will be considering retirement. Institutions will be losing significant value and institutional knowledge when the research administration pioneers begin to step back. Leadership needs to start thinking now about how to recruit, train, mentor, support and retain new research administrators and pass on that valuable experience and knowledge while the folks with 20+ years experience are still working. In addition, other ways of preserving critical information should be explored so that efficiency and effectiveness is not lost when our research administration heroes begin to retire en masse.

TBD (Post-Award - Advanced)

• Rady Rogers

Description

Ready, Set, Submit: The Pre-Award Showdown (Pre-Award - Concurrent - Beginner)

• Caitlin Crowley (BVARI)

• Leanne Crawley (University of Maine)

New to federal grant preparation or looking to refine your pre-award knowledge? Join us for a fun and interactive Jeopardy-style session designed for beginner to intermediate-level research administrators and grant professionals. Through engaging gameplay, participants will explore key topics such as budget basics, compliance, and sponsor specific proposal requirements. Whether you're building confidence in grant prep or reinforcing foundational skills, this session will equip you with essential knowledge to navigate the pre-award process successfully. Come ready to learn, compete, and have fun!

Leveraging Grant Management Skills to Build Leadership Confidence (Professional Development - Discussion - Any/All)

• Minessa Konecky (Minessa InK)

Research administration is a constantly evolving field, and for many who excel in it, career growth means eventually stepping into management. But moving from managing grants to managing people is a whole new challenge—balancing workloads, keeping morale up, making sure the grants get out the door and the trains run on time. And without leadership training or someone to turn to when you run into sticky situations, it can feel overwhelming.

The good news is that many of the skills that made you great at managing grants are transferable to managing people—you just have to know how to apply them. Join us as in a conversation where we’ll dig into the real challenges of stepping into leadership, share experiences, and crowdsource strategies from the room.

We’ll talk about what skills helped you transition, and what surprised you about being a manager. Share what you wish someone had told you before you took the job. Whether you’re new to management or thinking about making the leap, come ready to share, learn, and leave with insights you can put into action.
1. Identify transferable skills from grant management that can be leveraged in a leadership role using real world examples.
2. Explore common challenges new managers face and discuss practical solutions.
3. Develop a personal management style that aligns with team needs and institutional goals.
4. Learn strategies for balancing staff workloads while maintaining efficiency and morale.

Volunteer Reception

• 5:30p-6:30p

• Penstock

Banquet, Tarot Show, and DJ

• 6:30p-10:00p

• The Armory

Who do you call? (Not the Ghostbusters!) (Compliance - Discussion - Beginner)

• Lauren Peter (Beth Israel Lahey Health)

Risks that cross your desk as a Research Administrator. You are the first line of defense for your institution as the staff closest to the research. Areas and situations that should raise flags that you can then refer to existing offices at your organization.

• If you hear "international collaboration", think GDPR, export controls, COI

• If you hear "animal research", think IACUC

• If you hear "new hire", think training, PPE provision

• If you hear "travel", think prior approval

• If you hear "international travel", think data security, export control

• If you hear "data sharing", think DTA/DUA, export considerations

• If you hear "Leaving", think off boarding, data access

• If you hear "RPPR", think tips to be compliant with DMSP

• If you hear "clinical research", think IRB

• If you hear "shipping", think MTA, shipping dangerous goods training, permits

These are just a few of the situations where your organization should be able to support your researchers without your specific input. How do you build your list of who to contact?

Foreign and Small Business Subrecipeint Risk (Post-Award - Concurrent - Intermediate)

• Eleanor Kuszmar (Harvard Medical School)

• Rajeshwari (Raji) Bhat (Harvard Medical School)

This session will explore unique risks and post-award management challenges related to issuing subawards to foreign or small business entitles.

Learning objectives include:

1. Recognize unique risks related to contract terms and conditions that may be challenging for small businesses or foreign subrecipients to comply with

2. Discuss subrecipient monitoring challenges and solutions for foreign subs and small business subs

3. Identify tools and resources for better management of foreign and small business subrecipients

Collaborative Pre-Award Strategies: Boosting Efficiency in Changing Environments (Pre-Award - Concurrent - Beginner)

• Sarah Corley (Yale)

We will delve into the crucial topic of collaboration for Pre-Award Grant Administrators amidst the evolving landscape of grant administration. As the environment changes, mastering collaboration becomes ever more vital. Participants will learn about different collaboration styles and how to navigate the unique needs and expectations of key stakeholders, including Principal Investigators, Central Office, Business Office, and Sub-recipients. The session will also highlight innovative tools, such as Artificial Intelligence, that can transform administrative processes. Additionally, we will suggest procedures, organization tips, and mindset strategies to help reduce stress and enhance efficiency. By preparing for change and embracing the future, Grant Administrators can achieve greater success and satisfaction in their roles.

1. Understand Collaboration Styles: Differentiate between various collaboration styles and identify the most effective approaches for different situations and personalities

2. Identify Stakeholder Needs: Analyze the specific wants and needs of diverse stakeholders such as Principal Investigators, Central Office, Business Office, and Sub-recipients

3. Utilize Effective Tools: Explore innovative tools, including Artificial Intelligence, to optimize efficiency and streamline administrative processes

4. Practical Procedures and Tips: Apply practical procedures, organization tips, and mindset strategies to enhance workflow, reduce stress, and maintain a productive working environment.

NIH Update

Given the rapidly changing political landscape, NCURA Region I has not been able to confirm an update from NIH at this time. We understand the value of this session to our members and are keeping this time open as a placeholder in the hope that circumstances will allow for NIH to join us.

Launching Excellence: Award Kick-Off & Organizational Best Practices (Post-Award - Concurrent - Beginner/Intermediate)

• Haley Gillman (University of Connecticut)

• Jess Marron (University of Connecticut)

Your faculty’s proposal was just awarded—fantastic! Now what? In this engaging presentation, we will guide members through our new award kick-off protocols, highlighting tools and strategies for staying organized and on track. The University of Connecticut Grant Management office serves faculty in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the largest college at the University. We initiate our kick-off process once a project is awarded and continue until the award is fully operational with all contracts and subawards in place. This period is often a pain point for cost transfers and conference or training grants, and especially for projects with large staff payrolls. Implementing this protocol has helped us stay on track and start new awards on the right foot.

Key learning objectives: Our goal is for members to leave with new ideas and strategies for initiating the award management process. After the formal presentation, we plan to open the floor for members to share their experiences with starting new awards and offer tips to avoid common pitfalls. Additionally, we’d be happy to provide our kick-off tool (an Excel file) for members to use at their institutions.

Award kick-off protocols (not exhaustive):

1. Review NOA - Make note of start/end dates, preaward costs, unique terms and conditions

2. Review Protocols (IRB, IACUC, IBC) - Have all been completed?

3. Review Budget & Justification. Make note of employee payroll changes/hires, large equipment purchases, subrecipients, contracts and/or consultants, funds to host conferences/meetings at institution

4. Enter deliverable dates into Jira for internal monitoring

5. Follow/approve award account set-up in financial systems

6. Contact PI and department administrator to review and meeting request

7. Contact contracting/subaward department if relevant

8. Meet with award staff and department staff to review the new award details. Discuss general NOA/Sponsor guidelines, university policy (purchasing, travel, etc), project payroll, contracts/Subrecipients, any other pertinent items as needed

9. Ensure all necessary payroll changes and initial purchases are processed timely

The Communication Caper: How Departmental and Central Pre-Award Can Work Together to Solve Complex Cases (Pre-Award - Discussion - Beginner)

• Caitlin McCarty (Harvard Medical School)

• Stephanie Brown (University of Hartford)

This exciting discussion session will explore the unique relationship between departmental pre-award administrators and their central office counterparts. Together, the facilitators will leverage their experience in large clinical and academic research institutions, as well as smaller, private universities, to engage in an open dialogue with participants from all levels and backgrounds. Key takeaways will include: the importance of creating a strong relationship between departmental and central pre-award teams and how the research scope of the institution can impact these collaborations; tips on how to work together to set reasonable expectations and deadlines; and strategies to navigate the ever-changing landscape of research administration.

IMPORTANT: Workshops are not included in the conference registration. On-site workshop registration is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of workshop faculty.

9:00a - 4:00p (Full Day)
Essentials of Research Administration (Brandi Glover, Tom Dillon, Sabrina Heisey)

9:00a-12:00p (Half Day - Morning)
Pre-Award Workshop (Rady Rodgers, Amy Ellis)

1:00p-4:00p (Half Day - Afternoon)
Post-Award Workshop (Rady Rodgers, Amy Ellis)