Many resources are available to support research administrators. Read on to learn more about college and campus-wide networks and offices which research administrators may tap into for support and information. Be sure to check out our Professional Development page for additional resources both on and off-campus.
The College of Natural Sciences has more than 60 professionals working in pre- and post-award research administration. These staff members’ responsibilities include proposal preparation and coordination with OSP and other central offices, the appointment of project-related personnel, and financial management of awarded grants. Strategic Research Initiatives provides mentoring and assistance to research support staff in the College. We support administrative staff who work on grants by providing individual training and proposal preparation guidance. Additionally, we help research administrators develop efficient and effective strategies to shepherd proposals and awards through the research administration pipeline. New and experienced research support staff are encouraged to explore the resources available on and through the Strategic Research Initiatives website. Contact us for assistance or to suggest a needed resource. Strategic Research Initiatives maintains a roster of research support staff, frequently referred to as research administrators, in the college. This list of professionals receives email updates from the Dean’s office regarding internal competition deadlines, changes to internal (UT) or external (sponsor-mandated) research policies, professional development opportunity announcements, and other notices impacting research administration on campus. Please contact us if you would like to be added to our roster. The CNS Research Administrators’ Network (CNS RAN) is a university-recognized association of research administrators within the College of Natural Sciences. The group meets monthly to discuss best practices, changes and updates, and outstanding needs regarding research administration. Anyone with responsibilities in research administration is welcome to attend.
The University offers many resources to research administrators across campus. The Association of Research Administrators (ARA) is an organization of university employees whose vision is to unite and strengthen research administration at UT-Austin. The mission of the ARA is to build a campus-wide network of research administrators, facilitate the exchange of information across campus, to explore strategies to improve research administration and provide professional development opportunities. ARA conducts monthly professional meetings with knowledgeable speakers and enthusiastic discussion. Meetings are scheduled for 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM on the fourth Tuesday of each month (no meeting in December, July, and August) and are currently held via Zoom. Following each meeting, ARA provides attendees confirmation of education contact hours which may be submitted for CRA recertification. Read more about ARA and access additional research administrator resources via ARA's website. The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) serves as the University's coordinating office for externally sponsored projects. The goal of the OSP is to assist faculty and professional research staff in their efforts to secure and ensure proper stewardship of external funding. OSP maintains an informative website with resources for researchers and research support staff. The Office of Sponsored Projects also maintains a Research Administrators’ Network (RAN) listserv. This listserv is a valuable resource for new and experienced research administrators in the College. Learn more about the RAN and sign up to receive emails. The Office of Research Support and Compliance (RSC) works with researchers to maintain integrity of research. RSC is your go-to for information and support related to human subjects, animal research, rDNA and biosafety,, conflict of interest and foreign involvement. In addition to setting university research policy, coordinating campus-wide interdisciplinary research initiatives, and managing limited submission competitions, the Office of the Vice President for Research partners with colleges, research units, research support staff, and independent faculty investigators across campus to advise on best practices for pursuing funding and executing research awards. The Office of the Vice President for Research has compiled the essential information for navigating the UT research enterprise in the PI Book. This is a great resource for both PIs and research administrators.
CNS Research Administrator Resources
Research support staff Email List
CNS Research Administrators network (CNS RAn)
CLICK HERE FOR MEETING TIMES, SUMMARIES AND CONTACT INFO
University-Wide Research Administrator Resources
Association of Research Administrators
Office of Sponsored Projects
Office of Research Support and Compliance
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, AND CREATIVE ENDEAVORS
