Research Administration at Emory (RAE) Program
RAE is a comprehensive training certificate program designed to provide onboarding and orientation to Emory’s Office of Research Administration (ORA) for new employees and to provide upskilling or refresher training for current ORA staff. RAE provides an introduction to Research Administration and the grant lifecycle.
Research Administration at Emory Syllabus
Basic Certification Training
Basic Certification training is designed for RAS research administration staff new to ORA or the research administration community of practice. Basic certification training consists of 5 self-paced, core courses followed by three days of instructor-led courses.
Self-paced Basic, Core Courses
Self-paced core courses focus on the foundations of research administration, the federal framework, laws, regulations, guidelines, terms and conditions, and “why” policies and procedures must be followed. These courses are available on demand on any internet-enabled device. Participants must score 75% in required courses to earn a certificate. To obtain access to the self-paced core courses, participants must complete the RAE Kickoff course in Brainier.
Elective Courses
In addition to the basic, core courses, Emory has made available additional elective courses. Elective courses may be taken in addition to the basic, core courses.
For new hires with prior experience in research administration, managers may opt to replace a basic, core course with an elective.
*Note: When selecting from Elective courses, the total number of SRAi course contact hours between Core and Elective courses must still add up to at least 20.5 contact hours.
The current research funding environment is highly competitive given the limited resources from funding agencies. This increases the demands on Principal investigators (PIs) who must often submit multiple proposals in order for a successful funding outcome. PIs must balance this increasing demand while also teaching, conducting research, mentoring trainees, and serving their institutions. To assist PIs and strengthen the research enterprise, research administrators provide multiple support mechanisms such as research development programming and resources. This module presents the administrative and functional aspects of working with groups of investigators as well as individual PIs. There is also specific advice on searching for funding opportunities and matching those options to the right investigator. After completing this module, you will have a clear understanding of the need for research development programs in an institution and, more importantly, an organized reference of tools and advice for implementing a targeted and efficient program for your investigators.
After completing this module, you will be able to:
- Create tools to identify and address critical gaps in the capabilities of institutions and individual applicants.
- Assess which RDP activities are most appropriate for your institution’s needs and priorities.
- Search, discover, and disseminate solicitations that align with investigator’s and team’s strengths.
Receiving an award is one of the most exciting steps in the research administration life cycle. Full of anticipation, energy and ripe with limitless possibilities, a new project kicking off can create enthusiasm and generate a sense of aligned purpose within the entire research team including a wide array of support offices. In many ways, financial administration and financial oversight of awards are what facilitate the important discoveries waiting to be unveiled. This module will build the foundation necessary to understand the post-award research administration lifecycle, the core responsibilities for managing research finance, and tips and approaches that will increase productivity and improve accuracy.
Key areas covered in this module include:
- Receiving and establishing an award
- Award management
- Expenditure review and monitoring
- Subrecipient Monitoring
- Sponsor invoicing and LOC draws
- Financial Reporting
- Regular federal reports (Quarterly Cash Transaction Reports, Annual Expenditure Data Reports)
- Reporting of income generated by award activities
- Final financial reporting and award closeout
- Financial Reporting
- Regular federal reports (Quarterly Cash Transaction Reports, Annual Expenditure Data Reports)
- Reporting of income generated by award activities
- Final financial reporting and award closeout
- Introduction to external audits
Clinical research management is a dynamic profession requiring coordination with multiple departments, institutional offices, and investigator teams. Effective research administrators need a deep understanding of clinical research management to be effective in successfully executing their role in the process. This module explores the management and administration of clinical research from study initiation to contract close-out, with an extensive focus on regulatory responsibilities, budgeting and finance, and project management. The emphasis throughout the module is placed on the importance of protecting human subjects, their data, and the integrity of the research process.
- Describe the history and regulations associated with human experimentation and the protection of human subjects in research.
- Identify the institutional oversight and management requirements that ensure compliance for its programs involving human subjects research.
Research Compliance Frameworks module is designed to serve as a primer on the various compliance elements that help support effective grants management. Research compliance spans a wide range of complex subtopics making it difficult for most research administrators to gain mastery in any specific topic. Often grants administrators are not familiar with these compliance areas, and if they are, could benefit from a deeper understanding in order to help fulfill their responsibilities. This module will build the foundation necessary to understand research compliance and hopefully lead to increased job proficiency, effectiveness, and success for learners.
This module will:
- Introduce learners to the compliance areas are most commonly embedded in grants management.
- Gain a deeper understanding of the key principles of research compliance in grants management and grants congruency.
- Emphasize the importance of these compliance areas for protecting participants, organizations, and the larger community.
- Explore how adherence to these compliance touchpoints help contribute to an institutional culture of research integrity and sound financial stewardship.
Effective development and submission of NIH RPPRs is an essential skill. This SRAI mGuide is the perfect tool to prepare research administrators to support research faculty and investigators in developing the RPPR. This mGuide touches on every requirement of the RPPR so learners see the entire process. Specific topics include effective project management, institutional policies and procedures that affect the process, and step-by-step explanations and insights for each section of the RPPR. This mGuide is interactive, designed to be completed over a traditional lunch break, and includes video vignettes that take learners a layer deeper to hear words of wisdom from SRAI’s experienced authors.
- Utilize the NIH resources for completing an annual RPPR.
- Develop project management strategies for managing, developing, and submitting an annual RPPR.
- Recognize the requirements and components of an annual RPPR.
- Select appropriate data points in an annual RPPR.
- Understand the sponsor's perspective when receiving and reviewing RPPRs.
- Apply key tips and tricks in an annual RPPR’s development and submissions.
NIH Research Projects with activity code R form the foundation of many NIH grant portfolios. LevelUP’s NIH R Series mGuide is the ultimate training to demystify R activity code application planning, development, and submission. This module explores strategies for preparing grants, developing budgets, completing forms, and navigating final submission. The mGuide is interactive, designed to be completed over a traditional lunch break, and includes video vignettes that pass along wisdom from our experienced authors. Whether new or experienced with NIH grant applications, this module is the perfect resource to avoid confusion, issues, and complications during your proposal development and submission processes.
- Interpret a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).
- Manage the development of a proposal for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R Series Grant.
- Prepare an NIH proposal budget.
- Complete and submit an error-free NIH R Series application.
The NSF CAREER Proposal mGuide is designed to teach you the skills you need to assist a Principal Investigator in preparing, writing, and submitting a CAREER proposal to the NSF. This mGuide walks you through each step of the CAREER Proposal process, from determining PI eligibility, to drafting budgets and justifications, and even best practices post submission. Not only will you learn how to complete a CAREER proposal, but you will also learn proposal and PI management tips that transcend CAREER Proposals. The mGuide is interactive, and can be completed in 1-2 hours.
After completing this mGuide, you’ll be able to:
- Interpret requirements of a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Program Solicitation.
- Employ project management skills in proposal development.
- Prepare an NSF CAREER proposal.
- Submit a CAREER proposal to NSF via Research.gov.
- Recognize common errors that may contribute to a proposal returned without review.
The NSF Research Proposal mGuide teaches research administrators the skills they’ll need to assist a Principal Investigator (PI) in preparing, writing, and submitting a full research proposal to the National Science Foundation (NSF). This mGuide will focus on the process of submitting an NSF proposal and highlight the submission guidelines and common errors so you can avoid a Return without Review. The NSF has carefully created guidelines, processes, and systems to assist the proposal development process—knowing these guidelines inside and out will help ensure that you put your PI in the best possible position to be funded. This interactive mGuide is designed to be completed in 1-2 hours.
- Interpret requirements of a National Science Foundation (NSF) Program Description.
- Employ project management skills in developing a Full Research Proposal.
- Complete an NSF Collaborative Full Research Proposal using Research.gov.
- Explain how internal policies and procedures affect the development of a Full Research Proposal.
- Recognize common errors that may contribute to a Full Research Proposal being returned.
- Apply NSF proposal development skills to other NSF Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA).
Explore the fundamentals of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) in our online training module, "FFATA Unfolded: Mastering Transparency in Federal Funding." This self-paced course is designed for learners at introductory and intermediate levels, focusing on roles and responsibilities, the importance of compliance, and practical reporting practices.
Through interactive content and detailed guidelines provided in this course, participants will learn how to effectively handle FFATA reporting requirements and improve organizational accountability. You will be able to:
After completing this mGuide, you’ll be able to:
- Acquire a solid understanding of FFATA and its reporting requirements to recognize who is required to report, what information must be reported, and the systems involved in the reporting process.
- Develop and apply effective institutional policies and procedures to meet FFATA requirements and ensure accurate reporting.
- Implement best practices to enhance reporting and compliance strategies for ensuring data quality, addressing common reporting issues, and using reported data to support decision-making and compliance.
The Cost Transfer Essentials LevelUP module is a comprehensive overview of cost transfers in the financial management of sponsored projects; this module is tailored for early and mid-career professionals. Participants will learn about the importance and fundamentals of cost transfers, including what they are, why they are significant, and how they impact project management. The module covers both regulatory and institutional controls, detailing the steps for making, documenting, and submitting cost transfers. The training also explores the central office review process, approval mechanisms, and strategies for managing audits and ensuring compliance. Separate sections are devoted to personnel and non-personnel cost transfers, addressing the unique considerations and challenges associated with each.
Learning Objectives
- Gain a solid understanding of cost transfers, including their definition, importance, and impact on the financial management of sponsored projects.
- Learn how to create, document, and submit cost transfers that adhere to regulatory and institutional guidelines.
- Learn the different processes required to effectively handle personnel-related cost transfers and non-personnel-related cost transfers.
- Develop skills to navigate the review and approval processes effectively and understand how to prepare for and respond to audits to maintain compliance.
- Gain an understanding of the audit process, including that factors may trigger and audit and how to effectively respond if an audit is triggered.
Instructor-led Basic Courses
Instructor-led core courses focus on university-specific policies, procedures, and systems and “how” tasks and transactions are handled at Emory. Participants who have passed all 5 self-paced, core courses will be sent links to attend the next cohort of Instructor-led courses.
Upcoming Session Dates
Mark your calendar to attend the next RAE Cohort! Participants who have passed all 5 self-paced, core courses will be sent links to attend the associated Instructor-led courses.
NOTE: Participants must attend all three sequential days of Instructor-led courses within a cohort offering.
Below are the next cohort offerings through May 2025.
SRAi Self-Paced Module Completion Deadline:
- Friday, January 10, 2025
- Monday, January 13th from 9 AM to 4 PM ET
- Tuesday, January 14th from 9 AM to 3 PM ET
- Wednesday, January 15th from 9 AM to 1 PM ET
MANAGERS Register Your Employee (You MUST be logged into Brainer for the link to work):
NOTE: You may register multiple employees even if the survey shows 100% complete.
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainier Access job aid
RAE Kickoff Meeting Dates (Only attend one)
- Thursday, January 21, 2025 from 10:00 - 10:30 AM ET
- Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 2:00 - 2:30 PM ET
- Tuesday, February 4, 2025 from 2:00 - 2:30 PM ET
- Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 10:00 - 10:30 AM ET
- Tuesday, February 18, 2025 from 10:00 - 10:30 AM ET
- Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 2:00 -2:30 PM ET
- Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from 2:00 - 2:30 PM ET
SRAi Self-Paced Module Completion Deadline:
- Friday, March 14, 2025
- Monday, March 17th from 9 AM to 4 PM ET
- Tuesday, March 18th from 9 AM to 3 PM ET
- Wednesday, March 19th from 9 AM to 1 PM ET
MANAGERS Register Your Employee (You MUST be logged into Brainer for the link to work):
- Registration link Coming Soon!
NOTE: You may register multiple employees even if the survey shows 100% complete.
Trouble accessing Brainer? Refer to the Brainier Access job aid
RAE Kickoff Meeting Dates (Only attend one)
- TBD
SRAi Self-Paced Module Completion Deadline:
- Friday, May 2, 2025
- Monday, May 5th from 9 AM to 4 PM ET
- Tuesday, May 6th from 9 AM to 3 PM ET
- Wednesday, May 7th from 9 AM to 1 PM ET
Questions
Please direct questions about the RAE Program to Kathryn Leigh.