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Level II

Level II
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 II: Sponsored Projects Administration - Critical Issues in Research Administration (SPAII)

For more experienced research administrators, NCURA created "Level II: Sponsored Project Administration-Critical Issues in Research Administration" (commonly referred to as "SPA II"). This professional development program offers participants an opportunity for in-depth instruction in four core aspects of research administration: institutional compliance responsibilities; proposal creation and submission; contract and subaward review; and post award financial administration. Each of these topics will be explored through a combination of broad overview, case study analysis and discussion.

SPAII differs from the Fundamentals of Sponsored Project Administration workshop in a number of important ways. Though Fundamentals is not a prerequisite to enrolling in SPAII, attendees are encouraged to have a minimum of three years of sponsored projects administration experience in order to understand and contribute to the discussion. Where Fundamentals provides a broad, sweeping overview of sponsored projects from "cradle to grave," SPAII takes a focused, in-depth view of a limited number of topics and issues. This approach enables the use of discussion and case studies to provide for greater audience participation. The Open Forum is another unique feature of SPAII where participants can pose questions and engage in lively discussion about virtually any aspect of research administration.

For registration information click below.

In-Person Workshops Virtual Workshops

 

Learning Objectives

After completing the workshop, participants should be able to:

  • Identify current areas of risk in the research and sponsored projects environment
  • Describe effective internal control models to minimize institutional risks
  • Effectively review project budgets to comply with cost principles and standards
  • Explain the basis for policies and procedures on effort reporting, cost transfers, cost sharing, and post award financial matters
  • Identify problematic clauses in agreements and suggest alternative language
  • Understand the prime award recipient's responsibilities related to subrecipients
  • Discuss the basics of federal export control regulations and sanction programs that can impact your institution
  • Practice techniques for identifying risk areas to assist with problem-solving
  • Expand your network of research administration colleagues, who can help you resolve problems or guide your professional development

Program Information

Program Level: Intermediate
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

Attendees are encouraged to have a minimum of three years of sponsored projects administration experience in order to understand and contribute to the discussion.

Central and departmental research administrators who have a minimum of three years of sponsored projects administration experience. Level II is also beneficial for those who have been in the field for five plus years and desire a broader view of sponsored projects administration field to aid their professional growth and development. While prior participation in Fundamentals is recommended, it is not a prerequisite.

 

SPAII Participant Testimonials

"This was a fantastic workshop with some really excellent speakers with diverse experience and my team got a lot out of these last few days. We came away with several really useful considerations that we feel we can bring back to our institution to implement even more effective internal controls for compliance. Thank you so much for the wonderful experience!"
Kara Sandoval, Indiana University School of Medicine

 

 

 

 

 

2026 SPAII Workshop Faculty

Shelly Berry-Hebb

Director Proposal Services, Sponsored Research Services
Texas A&M University

Tolise Dailey

Training and Education Development
Georgetown University Medical Center
NCURA Distinguished Educator

Mary Louise Healy

Assistant Dean, Research Administration
Kreiger School of Arts and Sciences
Johns Hopkins University

Dorothy Johnson

Director of Research Finance
The Lundquist Institute

Laura Kingsley

Executive Director
Office of Sponsored Programs
University of Pittsburgh

Jeffrey Ritchie

Director of Sponsored Programs
Office of Sponsored Programs
Hamilton College

Robyn Remotigue

Executive Director, Research Services
College of Nursing
UNT Health Fort Worth

Tania Tost

Director of Post-Award
Office of Sponsored Projects
University of Texas at Austin

Alexa Van Dalsem

Director, Office of Contracts and Grants
University of Colorado Boulder

  • All parts of the workshop will be most helpful to me on the job. I am ready to further streamline our research operations at our institution. I learned so much that I immediately plan to apply to my job. The speakers were wonderful and extremely knowledgeable and engaging. I also enjoyed the case studies and networking opportunities. This was the best workshop I have attended and I look forward to attending others in the future. Thank you again!

    Angelyn GriffingTexas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital

  • The content and delivery of the workshop was exceptional. All three speakers were highly knowledgeable, personable, and engaging.

    Scott SimmonsStevens Institute of Technology