CNS Research Administrator Professional Development Grant Program

OVERVIEW

A CNS Research Administrator (RA) Professional Development Grant will reimburse reasonable and allowable costs up to $3,000 for a research administrator to participate in a professional development activity. Supported professional development activities should be related to research administration and may include activities such as in-person and virtual events, workshops, webinars, travel to a conference, a CRA prep course, etc. This non-competitive grant program is offered on a rolling basis, and requests are welcome at any time. Grant requests meeting eligibility criteria will be approved based on the availability of funds.

ELIGIBILITY

A request for a CNS Research Administrator Professional Development Grant should meet all of the following criteria:

• Research administrator must hold an active staff assignment in the College of Natural Sciences with responsibilities in research administration. Faculty, research assistants, postdocs, graduate students, and others who are contributors to the conduct of research are not eligible for a CNS RA Professional Development Grant.
• A research administrator may not receive more than $3,000 in professional development grant funds every two years.
• The identified professional development activity is for the purpose of expanding the research administrator’s knowledge and understanding of research administration and/or should enhance their job responsibilities.

REQUEST A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT

Click the link below to submit a request for a professional development grant. Request forms require that you:

• upload a pdf with 1) an overview and agenda of the professional development event/activity, and 2) a breakout of estimated costs including registration, membership fees, travel, lodging, etc.; and
• certify that you have received prior approval from your supervisor to participate.

Requests should be submitted as early as possible to allow time for review, approval, and scheduling, and to take advantage of early registration fees when offered.

>>SUBMIT A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT REQUEST<<

REVIEW PROCESS

Requests will be reviewed by Strategic Research Initiatives to ensure eligibility criteria are met. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis. Grant requests meeting eligibility criteria will be approved based on availability of funds.

POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS

Following participation in the professional development activity, recipient agrees to share their experience with the CNS RAN by providing a brief summary to the CNS RAN during a monthly meeting.

PROCEDURE FOR ARRANGEMENTS AND REIMBURSEMENT

Upon notice of approval, grant recipients should connect SRI with a departmental business contact to plan for SRI to cover approved expenses. Grant recipients will work with departmental staff as necessary to arrange travel and registration for professional development activities and subsequent reimbursement requests.

CNS CRA Reimbursement Program

Through the CRA Reimbursement Program, SRI will reimburse CNS research administrators for the cost of CRA exam and recertification fees, excluding any late application and/or rescheduling fees. This program is offered on a rolling basis, and requests are welcome at any time. Requests are approved based on availability of funds.

ELIGIBILITY

Exam fee reimbursement

CNS will pay for your exam fee, excluding any late or rescheduling fees, regardless of your score. You are eligible to request reimbursement of CRA exam fees if:

• you hold an active assignment in the College of Natural Sciences with primary responsibilities in research administration; and
• you are registered for the exam.

Recertification fee reimbursement

CNS will reimburse your recertification fee, excluding any late application fees. You are eligible to request reimbursement of CRA recertification fees if you:

• hold an active assignment in the College of Natural Sciences with primary responsibilities in research administration; and
• have a current CRA certification.

REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT OF CRA FEES

Click the link below to complete and submit a request for reimbursement of CRA fees. Request forms require that you upload a pdf of your exam registration or recertification application receipt.

>>SUBMIT A CRA FEE REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST<<

REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS

SRI will review your request for reimbursement and process the reimbursement within a reasonable time-frame and in accordance with university policy. 

On-Campus

ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH ADMINISTRATORS

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 - 11:30 AM on the fourth Tuesday of each month and are typically held in POB 2.402. Following each meeting, ARA provides attendees with confirmation of education contact hours. Read more about ARA and access additional research administrator resources via ARA's website. 

CNS RESEARCH ADMINISTRATORS’ network (CNS RAN)

The CNS Research Administrators’ Network (CNS RAN) is a self-governed association of research administrators within the College of Natural Sciences. CNS RA has the overarching goal of improving grants administration practices and facilitating open discussion about grants administration within the College. The group meets monthly to discuss best practices and outstanding needs regarding grants administration.

OSP-sponsored training and resources 

UT's Office of Sponsored Projects maintains a Training and Resources webpage where you will find information about various resources and training events available on campus and online. 

UTLearn

Explore UT's employee training management system, UTLearn, for course offerings applicable to your role and interests.  

Professional Organizations

National council of university research amdinistrators (NCURA)

NCURA is an internationally recognized organization whose mission is “to serve members and advance the field of research administration through education and professional development programs, the sharing of knowledge and experience, and by fostering a professional, collegial, and respected community”. NCURA’s primary audience is those involved in the administration of research at institutions of higher education.

NCURA’s professional development and training opportunities span the spectrum of research administration in the form of 3 national meetings per year, regional meetings, 6 different 2-2 ½ day traveling workshops, online tutorials, videos, and webinars. In addition to the networking offered at professional meetings, NCURA is host to Collaborate NCURA, an online community, listservs, and discussion groups. NCURA’s volunteer opportunities allow members to challenge themselves while expanding their professional network, developing new skills and applying existing skills to the benefit of others. Members are able to serve on committees, run for governance positions, present at meetings and conferences, and submit articles for publication in NCURA Magazine. Some of these resources are limited to members. Non-members can attend meetings, workshops, and access certain online resources.

Upon joining NCURA, members are automatically affiliated with Regional divisions. Members at The University of Texas at Austin are part of NCURA Southwestern Region V. Region V also offers volunteer and presentation opportunities.

National Website: www.ncura.edu

Region V Website: http://www.ncuraregionv.com

society of research administrators international (srai)

SRAI provides education, professional development, and the up-to-date information about research management to an international membership spanning the entire spectrum of research institutions, from universities to hospitals to government and non-profit agencies to industry. SRAI’s mission is to “develop, define, and promote international best practices in research management, administration, knowledge transfer, and growth of the research enterprise”. SRAI members are assigned to Sections. The University of Texas at Austin is part of the Southern Section.

SRAI offers an annual national meeting, regional meetings, contact hours and continuing education credit, certificate programs, webinars, and The Journal of Research Administration, a semi-annual publication enriching the body of knowledge in research administration. A few ways that Research administrators can become involved with SRAI are by attending conferences/meetings, serving on committees, volunteering, and presenting at meetings. You do not have to be a member to attend meetings or purchase webinars.

SRAI Website: https://srainternational.org/

National Organization of Research development professionals (nordp)

In a grassroots movement, NORDP was established to provide a community for Research Development professionals to enhance the research enterprise at their institutions. NORDP develops and shares best practices for attracting and managing research funding, building and implementing collaborative services and resources that span disciplines, and crossing administrative boundaries within organizations and beyond. NORDP members are involved in all areas of research support, from departmental staff to central administration.

NORDP hosts an annual conference focused on “understanding trends in research funding, networking, and discussing resources and skills that research development professionals bring to help organizations attract funding, increase competitiveness, create research relationships, and foster innovations.”  You do not have to be a member to attend the conference. Presentations from previous conferences are available online.  Other resources available to NORDP members include regional meetings, listservs, webinars, and a mentoring program. NORDP affords its members the opportunity to volunteer, join committees, and present at conferences.

NORDP Website: http://www.nordp.org/ 

Sponsor offered training 

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Each spring, NIH offers the Regional Seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration which is appropriate for anyone working with the NIH grants process, including research administrators, grants and contracts specialists and other support staff. Others benefiting from attending this seminar are early-stage investigators, graduate students, and non-faculty research staff. Seminar programs include sessions intended to provide insight into the application and review process, clarify Federal regulations and policies, and shine a spotlight on current areas of interest or concern. 

NIH Regional Seminar Webpage: https://grants.nih.gov/news/contact-in-person/seminars.htm 

National Science Foundation (NSF)

In the spring, NSF offers an annual grants conference appropriate for new faculty, researchers, and research administrators interested in learning more about proposal preparation, merit review basics, award management topics, current issues at NSF, and other relevant topics.

NSF Grants Conference Webpage: https://nsfgrantsconferences.com/   

What is a CRA designation?

The designation of Certified Research Administrator (CRA) is a valued credential for research administration professionals. The designation of CRA means that an individual has met the Research Administrators Certification Council’s (RACC; pronounced "rack") eligibility requirements and has demonstrated a level of knowledge necessary for professional research and sponsored programs administrators. 

What are the benefits of a CRA designation?

There are many benefits to obtaining certification. A CRA certification: 

• Demonstrates your expertise and commitment to excellence in the profession of research administration
• Improves communication with colleagues, including faculty, administrative staff, and other research administrators
• Positively impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of research administration in your department and across campus
• Opens employment/advancement opportunities
• Increases confidence and the likelihood of serving as a resource to your peers
• Helps uncover the BIG picture of research administration
• Encourages ongoing professional development

Learn more about the CRA designation, exam, and how to prepare for the exam at https://research.utexas.edu/osp/resources/cra-study-group/. 

CNS CRA Fee Reimbursement Program

SRI administers a program which reimburses CNS research administrators for the cost of CRA exam and recertification fees, excluding any late application and/or rescheduling fees. See the "Research Administrator Professional Development Funding Programs" section of this page for complete details.