Educational offerings relate to the skills and behaviours that provide direction, motivation and influence in research administration. These may be embodied in an organisational position of authority, or articulated through ideas and social behaviours. Leadership positions are typically thought to be those at more senior levels with organisational authority, but do not always need to be so. Individuals in any position can exhibit leadership qualities by exemplary behaviours, the way that they support colleagues, or by demonstrating a deep and nuanced understanding of their research environment. Recognising and developing leadership skills can therefore be appropriate at any level, and should be part of the rounded development of a successful research administrator.

Focuses on the entire spectrum of external funding including the planning, development and submission of awards. Included topics are strategic planning and development for individual and collaborative grant proposals, developing individual and institutional grant capacity, funding opportunities, providing training programs in proposal and budget development, strategies for developing effective grant proposals, interacting with funding agencies, putting the proposal package together and submitting it to funding agencies, award review and acceptance, and post-award communication, internally and with funding agencies.

Provides an approach for recognizing the legal, and regulatory issues that scientists, research administrators and their attorneys may face in contract negotiation and award administration. As there are many legal issues in research, topics include: intellectual property and technology transfer, conflicts of interest; confidentiality, data use, protection and privacy; cybersecurity; import/export licensing; and foreign influence of US research. The RCL working group also functions to provide ongoing updates to regulatory changes in Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and supplements; emerging regulations and statutes and helps provide guidance on matters related to institutional liability assessment, mitigation and corrective action planning.

Provides learning opportunities relating to clinical and translational research from “bench-to-bedside“ or “laboratory-to-medical practice“. Track topics may include all clinical and translational research topics including clinical trials and topics relating to the conduct, management, regulatory oversight and workforce training in the settings of academic organizations, non-profit organizations, commercial industry, healthcare systems and hospitals.

Covers issues of research integrity that deal with policies, regulations, (federal, state, institutional) and best practices regarding the ethical conduct of research. These topics deal with human and/or animal subject research, research with rDNA and other biohazards, research with hESC and hSPC, safe laboratory practices; data management (acquisition, sharing, ownership, rigor and transparency); mentor/trainee responsibilities and development; authorship and responsible publication practices; collaborative research ethics; research misconduct; scientists and social responsibility; export controls; conflicts of interest, commitment and conscience; standards/requirements for the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and research ethics training and education programs.

This track equips research administrators with essential knowledge of best research financial management practices, focusing on the regulatory framework for both direct and indirect costs of sponsored program activities. Attendees will gain insights into financial management decision-making and fiscal compliance of sponsored funds. Key topics include: Auditing, Cost accounting, OMB requirements, Matching/Cost sharing issues, Financial conflict of interest, Facilities and administration costs, Purchasing, Equipment and property management, Salaries, compensation, and honoraria, Travel allocability and allowability, Working with sponsoring agencies, and Sub-recipient monitoring.