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Level I

Level I
MULTIPLE REGISTRATION OPTIONS

This workshop is being offered both in-person and as a virtual workshop. Some details, such as the daily schedule, will differ depending on whether you attend in-person or virtually. Please review the information for your specific offering.

Level I: Fundamentals of Sponsored Projects Administration

 

Individuals working in sponsored projects administration navigate a complex landscape of sponsor regulations, institutional policies, and financial and regulatory compliance. Navigating this landscape effectively requires that administrators, regardless of their specific roles and responsibilities, possess foundational knowledge across the entire sponsored projects lifecycle. This understanding is crucial for seamless operations and successful project outcomes.

The purpose of this workshop is to provide participants new to the profession, or those seeking a fundamental refresher, with a broad overview of the various aspects involved in sponsored projects administration. This includes the preparation and review of proposals; negotiation and acceptance of awards; financial and administrative project management, closeout, and audit, as well as relevant compliance issues.

For registration information click below.

In-Person Workshops Virtual Pre-Award Workshops Virtual Post-Award Workshops

Learning Objectives

After completing the workshop, participants should be able to:

  • Explain the lifecycle of a sponsored project, from initial idea through award closeout and post-award requirements like document retention and audit preparation.
  • Explore sponsor types (e.g., federal, state, foundation, industry) and identify effective strategies for locating appropriate sources of funding.
  • Describe the differences between gifts, grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.
  • Examine the legal framework governing sponsored projects.
  • Distinguish between allowable and unallowable costs and between direct and indirect costs.
  • Identify typical budget categories and associated costs within a proposal budget, including specific sponsor considerations such as the NIH modular budget and the DHHS budget cap.
  • Summarize how an institution's indirect cost rate is calculated and the impact of resources on the indirect cost rate.
  • Explain the purpose and components of a proposal budget justification.
  • Identify types of third-party and non-sponsored agreements associated with sponsored projects administration.
  • Identify typical budget categories and associated costs within a proposal budget, including specific sponsor considerations such as the NIH modular budget and budget cap.
  • Describe the steps involved in reviewing and accepting an award and outline key considerations in the award setup process.
  • Discuss common contractual negotiations from an institutional perspective.
  • Describe various project amendments and modifications and identify when sponsor approval is required.
  • Explore best practices in project and financial management, including strategies for minimizing and, when necessary, justifying high-risk transactions such as cost transfers.
  • Discuss the importance of the primary compliance issues facing institutions, including protection of human and animal research subjects, biosafety, research misconduct, subrecipient monitoring, effort reporting, conflict of interest disclosures, and export control regulations.
  • Describe the importance of proper closeout of a sponsored project and the steps necessary to prepare for an audit.
  • Network, share best practices, and explore career paths within sponsored projects administration.

For additional Pre-Award and Post-Award Learning Objectives, please visit the Virtual Pre-Award and Virtual Post-Award Workshop pages.

Program Information

Program Level: Basic
Advance Preparation: None
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge - Technical
Delivery Method: Participants can choose to register for one of two formats:

  • Group Live (indicated by IN-PERSON)
  • Group Internet Based (indicated by VIRTUAL)

CEUs/CPEs: See here

This program is designed for individuals new to sponsored projects administration at higher education institutions and their affiliates, typically those with less than two years of experience. It's also ideal for anyone who has primarily focused on a single area of sponsored projects administration and is looking for a broader understanding of the profession. This curriculum is applicable to personnel working in departmental administration, central sponsored programs offices, grants and contracts, and other areas of sponsored projects administration.

 

Fundamentals Participant Testimonials

"If you are new to the field, and if you can schedule it, take this course before you sign up for any other workshops. This is an excellent foundation for research administrators, and I wish I had taken this earlier. The hands-on exercises, eg. analyzing an NOA, was very helpful."
William T. Ennis, Gallaudet University

 

 

 

 

 

 

2026 Fundamentals Workshop Faculty

 

Tricia Callahan

Interim Director of Research Training
Office of Research Administration
Emory University

Candice Ferguson

Director, Research Operations Improvement
University Research Services
Georgia State University

Abby Guillory

Assistant Vice President for Research
University of Tulsa

Cynthia Kane

Assistant Vice Provost
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Lehigh University

Sandra Logue

Assistant Director, Pre-Award
Iowa State University

Saiqa Anne Qureshi

Interim Research Sponsored Programs Director
California State University Channel Islands

Laura Rosales

Administrator III, Molecular and Human Genetics
Baylor College of Medicine

Denise Rouleau

Director, Research Administration
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University

David Scarbeary-Simmons

Senior Director
Sponsored Research Administration
Kaiser Foundation Research Institute

Timothy Schailey

Assistant Vice President
Office of Research Support Services
Thomas Jefferson University

Natasha Williams-Brown

Pre-Award Administrator III
Emory University

 

  • This class has been incredibly beneficial, and I believe it deserves more recognition. I only wish I had discovered it years ago.

    Kayla GoldmanAuburn University

  • Speakers were very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and willing to help; they felt very approachable. Thank you!

    Michelle AntunesMIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research

  • Overall I thought this was a highly useful workshop and I am glad to have participated.

    Ariel TinneyTexas A&M University