On-Demand NCURA Webinars
NCURA Webinars
Access to NCURA webinars and on-demand learning products made available through ORA.
Course: NCURA Webinar: Alice and the Terms & Conditions Rabit Hole
Description: Managing all the terms and conditions, agency guidelines, and federal regulations for an award may seem less than straightforward. We will take a trip down the terms and conditions rabbit hole, meet Alice's friends, and learn how they all get along in their unorthodox world. Together, we will learn to navigate the hierarchy of conflicting terms without being late to the party! In this webinar we will use real life examples to understand how to navigate our way through the terms and conditions rabbit hole. Participants will learn to identify applicable terms and conditions for an award and learn how to determine which terms to follow when there are conflicts.
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Participants will need to be able to navigate a sponsor award notice; familiarity with sponsor/agency guidelines.
Learning Objectives: None listed
Presenter(s):
Carrie Chesbro, Stanford University
David Schultz, University of Houston
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Allocating Costs Effectively
Description: Working with faculty to assign the cost of resources to a project poses a challenge, especially when those resources benefit multiple (yet highly related!) projects. Articulating a solution to distribute costs among projects that is acceptable to sponsor, institution, and PI is one of the trickiest in research administration. You may know general guard rails; but, is the approach defendable? Come join our panel for the presentation and follow-on “Ask the Speaker” session addressing the allocation definition and acceptable practices. In addition to informative background, the panel will work through case studies that may feel instantly familiar and challenge you to produce clever solutions.
Level: Overview
Prerequisites: None
Learning Objectives: None listed
Presenter(s):
Tolise Dailey, Duke University
Heather Offhaus, University of Michigan
Josh Rosenberg, Georgia Institute of Technology
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Description: Important Decisions are often based upon evaluating information against a risk-benefits assessment. Knowing the questions to ask, the data to seek, and the approach to take alongside the consideration of the costs and impact of making or failing to make the right decision. For many leaders, this is critical skill that for is developed over time and one that must be learned-- it is also a skill that requires the whole team to be involved.
Our panel will share their experiences and insights on developing these skills for themselves and their teams. We will discuss the dynamics that a changing workforce and remote environments bring into play, and will share tips and strategies with the audience.
Level: N/A
Pre-requisites: None
Learning Objectives: Participants will learn how to develop the skills needed to ask themselves the right questions to make the important decisions.
Presenter(s):
Quincy Byrdsong
Vice Provost for Health Affairs
Lipscomb Health Science
Jerry Fife
Principal Consultant
Point Consulting Group
Angela Wishon
Vice President for Research Compliance and Administration
Prisma Health
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Audits: NIH RPPR COVID-Guidance
Description: The NIH has issued guidance regarding the preparation of Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) and the reporting of effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on research projects.
With the release of the revised Grant Policy Statement in October 2019, NIH revised their definition of Other Support. The revised definition “…includes all resources made available to a researcher in support of and/or related to all of their research endeavors, regardless of whether or not they have monetary value and regardless of whether they are based at the institution the researcher identifies for the current grant.
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Participants should be familiar with the NIH RPPR process.
Learning Objectives:
- Who Must Report
- When to Report
- What to Report
- How to Report
Presenter(s):
Michelle Bulls, NIH
Kristin Ta, NIH
Robyn Remotigue, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Better Together: When Pre-Award Becomes a Post-Award Activity
Description: How do Pre-Award actions affect Post-Award success? This session will incorporate multiple perspectives including those from central offices, departments, and principal investigators, to review common and preventable Post-Award issues and best proactive strategies on how to prevent them in the Pre-Award process.
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Participants will want to have a basic understanding of grant proposal and award processes; familiarity with grant regulations and policies; experience and/or knowledge of Pre-Award activities; and, an understanding of Post-Award requirements
Learning Objectives:
- Provide examples of common post-award issues.
- Determine potential solutions in the pre-award process to avoid the common post-award issues.
- Describe different perspectives to the proposal to award lifecycle to increase collaboration and understanding.
Presenter(s):
Erin Danna-Bailey, University of Buffalo
Ann Homes, University of Maryland, College Park
Laura Kingsley, University of Pittsburgh
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Cost Share Scare
Description: Cost sharing can be a challenge to research administrators, new and old, and it can present a lot of burdens, some may say horror! This webinar is designed to provide an overview and share horror stories and tips for navigating cost share across the lifecycle, including at the proposal, award receipt, award management, and closeout stages. Attend this webinar to learn from real-life case studies and make cost-sharing less of a nightmare! This presentation will help attendees define cost sharing, identify the types of cost sharing, explain how cost sharing can go wrong, and touch on best practices and experiences from the presenters’ time in research administration.
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: It's recommended, though optional for participants to have some experience in research administration. Participants will benefit from an intermediate understanding of research administration, which builds upon their knowledge base to tackle a complex subject. Participants who want a detailed review and problem-solving solutions for cost-sharing will also find this helpful.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to apply the principles of the federal Uniform Guidance that govern federal cost-share requirements.
- Participants will take away "lessons learned" from cost-sharing case studies.
- Participants will understand the key cost-sharing issues across the lifecycle of an award.
Presenter(s):
Erin Bailey, University at Buffalo
Jeff Derr, California Institute of Technology
Rosanne Luongo, Huron
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Cost Transfers: Evaluating your Current Procedures to Mitigate Risk
Description: Cost transfers are always an area of high scrutiny. While the simplest suggestion is to prevent them altogether, in many cases they are unavoidable. This webinar will explore the federal requirements surrounding cost transfers and examine how two different institutions have implemented policies to monitor compliance and mitigate the risk associated with these types of transactions. We will discuss ways to ensure all cost transfers are appropriate, timely, and most importantly, sufficiently documented.
Level: Overview
Prerequisites: None
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will gain an understanding of federal guidance surrounding cost transfers and will become familiar with audit compliance issues related to documentation and timing of cost transfers.
- Participants can expect to leave the webinar with best practices for minimizing the need for cost transfers and managing them appropriately when the transactions are necessary. These best practices will serve as a guide for participants to evaluate their own institutional policies for compliance.
Presenter(s):
Christyne Anderson, Harvard University
Kristi Bazata, Columbia University
Chea Smith, The State University of New Jersey
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Current and Pending/Other Support/NIH and NSF Senior Personnel Documents
Description: Over the last several years, federal agencies have worked to clarify disclosure requirements, partly due to directives in federal law and policy. Charged by the National Science and Technology Council’s Research Security Subcommittee, NIH and NSF have been leading a multi-agency effort to create common disclosure forms, which include the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support. This webinar will cover the context in which NIH and NSF have made updates to these formats, as well as go through specific changes made to each agency’s forms. Jean and Michelle will share the current state of the multi-agency efforts and talk about the future of their agencies’ formats. The webinar will also describe institutional approaches to updated agency requirements.
Level: Overview
Prerequisites: None
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will understand the context for changes to NIH and NSF Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support documents.
- Participants will review updates that NIH and NSF have made to requirements for required senior personnel documents.
- Participants will learn about how institutions have adjusted their practices and approaches to comply with updated requirements.
Presenter(s):
Michelle Bulls, NIH
Jean Feldman, NSF
Jennifer Rodis, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Data Security for the Research Administrator
Description: Protecting research information and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction is a critical component to safeguarding research information and preventing financial loss or damage to the university's reputation. Protecting confidential information is not only a legal and business requirement, but is also an ethical requirement.
Due to increased cybersecurity concerns throughout the world, research sponsors are including more stringent requirements for working with restricted data. There is a notable increase in the number of grants and contracts requiring the university to implement specific privacy and security safeguards for data and information systems as mandated by federal (HIPAA, FISMA, NIST, CMMC, FERPA, GLBA, ITAR, Privacy Act), state and/or local law, industry sanctioned (PCI-DSS), university policies (i.e. UF Privacy Office, Security Office) or agreements (i.e. Data Use Agreement, Business Associate Agreement, etc.).
This session will describe the basis of the requirements and offer best practices in creating compliant environments, with a special emphasis on the Department of Defense Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
Level: N/A
Pre-requisites: None
Learning Objectives: Gain an understanding of the federal regulations governing research data and identify best practices in creating policies and environments to protect research data, with a special emphasis on the Department of Defense Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
Presenter(s):
Steven Lovaas
University Information Security Officer
Colorado State University
Erik Deumens
Research Computing Director, Information Technology
University of Florida
Stephanie Gray
Assistant Vice President, Office of Research
University of Florida
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Description: Assessing and identifying organizational training needs from the outset is important for designing and preparing educational materials to achieve the desired learning outcomes.
Level: Overview
Pre-requisites: None
Learning Objectives: After participating in this webinar, learners will be able to:
- Follow steps for successfully initiating the creation of a training program for research administrators;
- Apply popular instructional design methods to their training programs; and
- Incorporate activities into their training designed to refocus attention and stimulate participation.
Presenter(s):
Tricia Callahan
Senior Research Education & Information Officer
Colorado State University
Melanie Hebl
Education Coordinator, Research and Sponsored Programs
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Excel Tips for Pre- and Post-Award Administrators: Part I
Description: Do you use Excel to analyze and report data? If so, you’ve probably asked yourself, "Why does this take so long? Is there a better way?" If you use Excel for budget development, you have probably asked yourself, "How can I develop a budget more quickly/accurately?" In this intermediate-level session, you will learn how to use tables, formulas, pivot tables, and conditional formatting that will help you navigate your path to success. This is a 90-minute session and participants should bring their own laptop to the workshop. Excel templates will be provided on the day of the workshop for participants to use as they follow-along. Adequate time will be provided for participants to personalize the templates for use back home.
Level: Intermediate
Pre-requisites: Participants should have a basic knowledge of Excel formulas and functions.
Learning Objectives: Participants will:
- Examine formatting conventions that effectively communicate key information and/or highlight variances in reports.
- Learn how to use select Excel functions, formulas, and tools for reporting.
- Learn how to use select Excel functions, formulas, and tools for budgeting.
Presenter(s):
Diane Meyer
Pre-Award Project Manager
Grants Hub
Iowa State University
Rebecca Hunsaker
Executive Director of Research Management
College of Behavioral & Social Sciences
University of Maryland, College Park
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Excel Tips for Pre- and Post-Award Administrators * Part II!
Description: After the outstanding Excel Tips for the Pre- and Post-Award Administrators webinar, we know you want more!
Rebecca and Diane will be picking up where they left off in Part I to take you deeper into maximizing Excel in your support for Sponsored Research.
Topics will include:
- Group/Hide
- Goal Seek
- Round
- Concatenate
- Including text notes in formulas
- SUM vs. subtotal
- Slicers
- Customize Quick Access & Ribbon
Level: Intermediate
Pre-requisites: Participants should have a basic knowledge of Excel formulas and functions.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Presenter(s):
Diane Meyer
Pre-Award Project Manager
Grants Hub
Iowa State University
Rebecca Hunsaker
Executive Director of Research Management
College of Behavioral & Social Sciences
University of Maryland, College Park
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Financial Post-Award Essentials
Description: The Financial Post-Award Essentials workshop will cover various areas of research financial management including internal controls, financial business processes, facilities and administration costs, audit and compliance supplement requirements. This workshop will provide information on financial Post-Award research administration through a combination of lecture, case studies and discussion of shared experiences and best practices.
This workshop will provide overview level information of financial Post-Award research administration through a combination of lecture, case studies and discussion of shared experiences and best practices.
Level: Overview
Pre-requisites: None
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to articulate cost accounting principles.
- Participants will understand the importance of internal controls.
- Participants will appreciate the purpose of F&A and the importance of proper expense coding.
- Participants will understand effort certification and different compensation compliance models.
- Participants will understand the importance and take-away key components of Federal Audits.
- Participants will learn to recognize key compliance requirements.
Presenter(s):
A. Chea Smith
Director, Cost Analysis and Reporting
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Lamar K. Oglesby
Director, Grant & Contract Accounting
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Jaquion L. Gholston
Associate Director of Sponsored Accounting Office
Stevens Institute of Technology
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Description: Central offices take responsibility for submitting official institutional Financial Reports to sponsors; however, ensuring the data is accurate requires a partnership with the PI and their Departmental Research Administrator/s. There could be pending transactions, commitments, adjustments that the department has submitted but that have not cleared the financial system. There could be pending requests for budget changes or extensions. Departmental Research Administrators often have information that the central office is not privy to, so communication before and during the Financial Report preparation is essential. In this Webinar, we will discuss best communication practices between central and departmental offices related to financial management and reporting.
Level: Overview
Prerequisites: None
Learning Objectives:
- Identify areas of risk in Financial Reporting
- Learn best practices for ensuring an efficient process and data integrity in Financial Reports
- Share tips for effective cross-departmental communication and collaboration
Presenter(s):
Jennifer Cory, Stanford University
Dorothy Johnson, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Rady Rogers, Harvard University
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Foreign Influence Requirements Roundup: Agency by Agency Current Expectations
Description: With the wealth of information constantly coming out (or being promulgated) related to foreign influence issues, concerns – and requirements that agencies need to impose to address those concerns – it can be hard to keep up with what research administrators need to comply with. This webinar will be a pragmatic snapshot of the national picture, what requirements exist TODAY from various federal agencies related to foreign influence and related national security issues, and what is most likely (but no promises!) heading our way in the coming months. Some research administrators already deeply embedded in foreign influence issues may not learn anything new; for the rest of us, this will allow an opportunity to “catch up” or confirm the current interpretation of the guidance as well as having an idea of what requirements or legislation may be bubbling up in this space in the coming months.
Level: N/A
Pre-requisites: None
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to perform a “self-check” of proposal and award foreign influence requirements to make sure their institutions have addressed agency expectations (or know what they need to work on)
2. Participants will know where new requirements are most likely to emerge (not counting surprises!) and be able to watch for developments in these areas.
Presenter(s):
Jim Luther
Associate Vice President, Finance & Compliance Officer
Duke University
Pamela Webb
Associate Vice President for Research
University of Minnesota
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Get Control Over Subrecipient Monitoring Controls
Description: This webinar will explore the internal controls framework for subrecipient monitoring based on federal regulations. By close examination of the rules, this session will break down the requirements (must!") vs. the nice to haves ("should!") and how to create a compliant institutional framework.
Level: Basic/Overview
Pre-requisites: Participants will want to have a basic understanding of subaward management and subrecipient monitoring.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore subrecipient monitoring federal requirements
- Discuss industry best practices
Presenter(s):
Jeremy Forsberg
Assistant Vice President of Research, Office of Research
The University of Texas at Arlington
Roseann Luongo
Education & Research Senior Director
Huron
Lisa Mosley
Executive Director, Office of Sponsored Projects
Yale University
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: How to Audit Proof Your Department
Description: This webinar is a professional development opportunity that focuses on how a department can prepare for an audit through understanding audit lessons learned, internal controls and daily department operations. This workshop provides an in-depth look at audit issues through a combination of audit trends, review of Federal audit reports, and a discussion of day-to-day best practices. In addition, we will discuss the role of the department administrator so your department will be set up for a successful audit.
Level: Intermediate
Pre-requisites: Participants should have an introductory knowledge of sponsored administration and associated terminology.
Learning Objectives: Participants will understand the key audit issues in award management, including documentation, cost allowability and allocation, adhering to special provisions, and internal control deficiencies.
- Participants will be able to audit pitfalls and identify ways to manage them.
- Participants will understand internal controls and ways to close gaps in internal controls.
- Participants will be able to recognize the various roles and responsibilities of in an audit.
- Participants will take away "lessons learned" from federal audits to help your institutions manage the high risk financial issues in award management.
Presenter(s):
Jennifer Mitchell
Associate Executive Director, Research Financial Operations
Northwestern University
Roseann Luongo
Director
Huron
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Description: We live in a global economy - international collaborations are necessary to pool knowledge and resources in order to tackle global research challenges. These global collaborations come with increased risks – in addition to working with entities subjects to different laws and security, other geopolitical factors are layered on to make navigation trickier. How can we foster these collaborations and help our researchers and institutions remain compliant? How do we balance adequate risk assessment with efficient management of subrecipients? In this session, we’ll cover the whole project lifecycle, starting with proposal development, moving to agreement negotiation and subrecipient monitoring, and through closeout.
Level: Overview
Prerequisites: None
Learning Objectives: Participants will be presented a framework for identifying, coordinating and managing international contracts across a variety of institution types.
Presenter(s):
Eva Björndal, King’s College, London
Amanda Humphrey, Northeastern University
Lisa Wottrich, SRI International
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Intellectual Property: Know the Basics as it Applies to Research Administration
Description: Researchers and institutions all want to own the “next big idea”. However, intellectual property (IP) may seem a bit mystical for many in research administration. This webinar will provide a basis of knowledge regarding IP and the research administrator’s role in perpetuating responsible practices to identify and protect researcher and institutional rights.
Level: N/A
Pre-requisites: None
Learning Objectives:
- Define and identify different types of Intellectual Property (IP);
- Be introduced to the rights associated with IP through the Bayh-Dole Act and the Harmonization Act;
- Gain a basic knowledge of the Technology Transfer process;
- Recognize the role of Sponsored Programs in facilitating and protecting IP
Presenter(s):
Sylvia Bradshaw
Director of Sponsored Programs, Agreements, Research, and Contracts (SPARC)
Southern Utah University
Marianne Woods
Academic Program Director, Master of Science in Research Administration
Johns Hopkins University
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Managing SBIR/STTR Projects
Description: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards are an increasingly popular way for research institutions to partner with industry on federal projects. SBIR and STTR projects are critical in the development of various technologies; however, such relationships may give rise to several competing interests. This session will discuss strategies for identifying and managing multiple competing interests when research institutions partner with a small business entity on these federal projects. We will highlight different approaches to the proposal submission and award of SBIR and STTR projects from the perspective of a Sponsored Programs Officer in an Office of Sponsored Research and Industry Contracts Officers in a Technology Transfer Office, and from a non-profit/medical center (City of Hope) and public/state institutions (University of California, Riverside and University of California, Santa Barbara).
Level: Overview
Prerequisites: None
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn about the different types of SBIR and STTR submissions
- Participants will gain an understanding of different approaches and guidelines/policy to SBIR/STTR submissions at different institutions
- Participants will identify various types of potential issues that may arise during SBIR/STTR projects, from Conflict of Interest (COI), Intellectual Property (IP), budget, etc.
Presenter(s):
Cara Winnewisser, University of California, Santa Barbara
Frosina Al Zgoul, City of Hope
Misty Madero, University of California, Riverside
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Managing Subawards Tips and Tricks
Description: So many subawards, with so little time. How do you manage all the requirements for contracting, audit, compliance, internal controls, and still maintain your sanity? This webinar will focus on strategies and best practices for managing subawards for both the central administration office and academic departments. It will cover streamlining and simplifying monitoring processes, all while meeting federal obligations and protecting the institution.
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Participants will want an understanding of subaward issuance and monitoring, and want a deeper dive into implementing subrecipient monitoring policies at both the central and departmental level.
Learning Objectives: Participants will learn:
- The subrecipient monitoring requirements, per the Uniform Guidance (UG).
- What must (vs. should) institutions do to comply with the requirements per the UG.
- How to determine your organization’s risk appetite when designing policies and procedures.
- How central administration and academic departments can work together to participate in compliance with the regulations.
- Best practices for audit, with a discussion of audit experiences, from the perspective of both central and departmental administration.
Presenter(s):
Laura Register, Stanford University
Julie Callis, University of Maryland
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: NIH Fundamentals Workshop
Description: 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.
Level: N/A
Pre-requisites: None
Learning Objectives: Major content areas covered include:
- NIH overall structure, culture, and organization;
- Developing and submitting NIH grant applications;
- The peer review process;
- Post-Award administration;
- Tips and tricks.
Presenter(s):
Kasima Garst
Systems Policy Analyst, Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration (OPERA)
National Institutes of Health
Brian Sass-Hurst
Assistant Grants Compliance Officer, Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration (OPERA), Division of Grants Compliance and Oversight (DGCO)
National Institutes of Health
Priyanga Tuovinen
Assistant Grants Policy Officer
National Institutes of Health
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: NSPM-33
Description: Join our panel to learn the latest information and timelines on NSPM-33 guidance. Our group will discuss the guidance and recent updates, focusing on the requirements of Research Security programs.
We’ll also talk about approaches to managing these requirements, including what institutions are doing in anticipation, including:
- Campus coordination and buy-in
- ORCID adoption
- Disclosure policies (proposal and COI/COC)
Level: Overview
Prerequisites: None
Learning Objectives: None listed
Presenter(s):
Rebecca Keiser, NSF
Lisa Nichols, University of Michigan
Lori Ann Schultz, University of Arizona
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: NSPM-33 Compliance: Are You Ready?
Description: This session will provide a broad overview of the proposed NSPM-33 program requirements. We will discuss which requirements are least likely to change and which have the greatest potential to change before the final guidance is released. We will host a dialogue about what participants are doing at their own institutions to prepare and where they are holding off. Finally, we will offer some ideas for how to start or keep the conversation going at your home institution.
Level: Basic/Overview
Prerequisites: Participants will want a general understanding of NSPM-33 and research security paradigms.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Participants will understand which NSPM-33 requirements are least likely to change versus those still in flux.
- Participants will build an understanding of how to engage with key stakeholders despite the uncertainty of the final guidance.
- Participants will learn from colleagues about what they are doing in these spaces.
Presenter(s):
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Optimizing Capital Asset Practices
Description:
Research administration continues to face increasing compliance and regulation coupled with fewer available resources. This discussion will demonstrate how the successful implementation of capital asset accounting practices can lower risks, increase recoveries, and provide useful data for other institutional needs. We will explore various driving forces for accurate fixed asset records including: audit, accountability, Uniform Guidance compliance, FAR Compliance, F&A (indirect cost) recovery, useful life analysis, federal requirements, risk management, and budget planning.
Level: N/A
Pre-requisites: None
Learning Objectives:
- Learn compliance strategies for capital equipment inventory process, accounting for sponsored assets, and disposition and transfer of assets.
- Learn the various types of technology used by peer institutions and efficiencies to be gained.
- Participants will see the impact that using good consistent cost accounting principles have on the results of their F&A rate calculations.
Presenter(s):
Albana Cejne
Assistant Director, Sponsored Research Audit
Princeton University
Mike Fister
Chief Operations Officer
HCA Asset Management
Betty Rasmussen
Senior Compliance Officer
University of Colorado Boulder
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Roles and Responsibilities: How to Assess and Create Clarity
Description: We each have a role within our institution that includes various responsibilities, and we each have an understanding of that role and those responsibilities. But what if others with whom we work and interact have a conflicting understanding of our role and responsibilities? What if they expect more from us than we believe we are responsible for? Or, perhaps worse, what if they don’t acknowledge the responsibilities we believe we must fulfill! What if something goes wrong on a project – who is responsible? The PI, the institution, the administrator? Most of us find ourselves at some point in our careers trying to figure out just what our roles and responsibilities are, or perhaps trying to help a someone else, such as a PI, understand theirs.
In this webinar we will look at roles and responsibilities in research administration through the lens of 3 institutions. We will examine the difference between responsibility, authority and accountability as impacted by institutional policies and procedures and sponsor terms and conditions. We will also use case studies to identify how gaps in roles and responsibilities can create challenges for an institution, and we will discuss ways to mitigate identified gaps.
Level: N/A
Pre-requisites: Experience in departmental and/or central research administration
Learning Objectives: Upon completion of the webinar, participants will be able to:
- Identify gaps in institutional roles and responsibilities
- Describe how to determine what authorities may be delegated
- Identify who is responsible for a particular task or activity
- Describe the difference between responsibility, authority and accountability
Presenter(s):
Urmila Bajaj
Director of Post Award
University of Virginia
Stephanie Gray
Assistant Vice President
University of Florida
David Mayo
Senior Director for Research Administration
California Institute of Technology
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Same Same, But Different: Departmental Challenges and Successes
Description: Borrowing from this popular phrase with origins in Southeast Asia, this session will explore the similarities and differences between research administration offices of all sizes whether central or departmental. While our research volumes are drastically different, the workloads, per capita funding for staffing, and stressors are quite similar. Join us as we provide our perspectives from our different vantage points. We will discuss staffing challenges, remote/hybrid workforces, and dealing with last minute proposals along with the challenge of being all things to all people.
Level: Basic/Overview
Pre-requisites: None
Learning Objectives: By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Recognize the similarities and differences faced by leaders of small medium, large and massive research administration profiles.
- Understand how to leverage connections to network in solving problems.
- Identify common and unique challenges faced by these types of institutions.
Presenter(s):
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Description: Research administrators live with dual roles, serving to facilitate our investigators’ research while also monitoring compliance with sponsor and university regulations. The work we do to assist investigators with their proposals and awards helps build a relationship that engenders trust. That trust, however fragile, supports our interactions when difficult communications are necessary. Trust is definitely the starting point for potentially contentious meetings, but it is not sufficient by itself. If conflict, anger, or resentment arise, research administrators will need tools to listen to each investigator’s perspective, to calmly convey their own messages, to gain understanding of opposing positions, and to offer options to investigators. This session will provide insight into the special pressures facing our investigators; offer suggestions on building positive relationships; discuss ideas for handling instances of conflict and anger; and present tips for best practices in your communications. The webinar will include time for questions, suggestions, and anecdotes.
Level: N/A
Pre-requisites: None
Learning Objectives: Participants will:
- Gain insight into the pressures facing our investigators from both their academic and research responsibilities
- Understand what you as a research administrator can do to be helpful and to convey professionalism
- Discover best practices from your colleagues to guide you during difficult conversations
Presenter(s):
Jamie Caldwell
External Consultant and Interim Sr. Director for Research Administration and Operations
University of Missouri - Columbia
Kim Moreland
Vice Chancellor for Research Administration
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Jill Frazier Tincher
Executive Director, Sponsored Programs Administration
University of Georgia
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Subawards: Sense and Sensibility
Description: Subrecipient monitoring is a delicate balance between maintaining compliance and facilitating collaboration. This webinar will provide an overview of the subaward lifecycle, with a focus on monitoring components throughout the process. It will clarify subtle distinctions in policy and practice, and provide tools for effective risk management.
Level: Overview
Prerequisites: None
Learning Objectives:
- Learn the Uniform Guidance requirements related to subwards
- Discover the standard monitoring practices throughout the subaward lifecycle
- Investigate tools, tricks and best practices for maintaining a balanced approach to compliance and collaboration
Presenter(s):
Beth Kingsley, Yale University
Carrie Chesbro, Stanford University
Robert Prentiss, Yale University
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: The Latest in Audits
Description: This Webinar is a professional development opportunity that focuses on recent audits performed by federal agencies and their inspectors general, as well as, OIG work plans and settlements. This will include the recent National Science Foundation report "Promising Practices for NSF Award Management," which draws observations from 18 audits in the past four years. This Webinar looks at frequent issues found and a discussion of day-to-day best practices.
Level: N/A
Pre-requisites: None
Learning Objectives: Participants will gain a basic understanding of recent federal audit findings, how to review federal audit reports and work plans, and these may be used to enhance internal controls.
Presenter(s):
Jeff Silber
Senior Director, Sponsored Financial Services
Cornell University
Roseann Luongo
Director
Huron
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: The New World of Single IRBs: Single IRB Under the NIH Policy and Revised Common Rule
Description: The panelists will provide an overview of the requirements of the NIH Policy on the Use of a Single IRB (sIRB) for Multi-Site Research, which is effective January 25, 2018 and associated guidance, FAQs, and resources. sIRB requirements under the recently revised Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects (Common Rule) will also be discussed.
Level: Overview
Pre-requisites: None
Learning Objectives: Participants will understand the approaches each institution is taking to implement the sIRB mandate.
Presenter(s):
Martha Jones, Washington University, St. Louis
Kerry Peluso, Emory University
Wendy Streitz, COGR
Sara Bible, Stanford University
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid
Course: NCURA Webinar: Work Smarter, Not Harder: The Tools, Methods and Technology
Description: Have you ever been working on a project or process and known there must be a better way? Are you tired of spending hours brute forcing a solution to a problem? Is your office full of administrative fires that keep cropping up at 4PM for a 5PM deadline? This webinar will address the history and theory of working smarter using tools and processes available to anyone at any level. You have the power to implement these types of changes, even if you don’t have backing from your department.
Level: Intermediate
Pre-requisites: Participants should have an introductory knowledge of administrative functions and principles and a basic knowledge of current common computer software.
Learning Objectives: Participants will:
- Learn the history and theory of “Work Smarter Not Harder” through examination of related research administration case studies
- Learn methods of organizing work to be more effective, efficient, and productive
- Learn tools and tricks that increase productivity and save time, including software and technology
Presenter(s):
Hollie Schreiber
Director of Sponsored Programs
University of Tennessee
Abby Guillory
Assistant Director for Education and Training, Research Operations and Communications
North Carolina State University
Thomas Spencer
Associate Vice President of Research Operations / Assistant Professor, Office Of Academic Information Services
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainer Access job aid