Many research administrators would say that managing a granted contract is difficult—and most of them are—but anyone who's worked in clinical trials knows it's the most complex terrain in our field. It's a bridge that connects science and funding, patient safety, legal compliance, and complex financial billing.

In this episode, we're joined by experts Jennifer Harry, director for the Center Business Operations at Seattle Children's Institute; and Anita Trupiano, MS, program development analyst & regulatory affairs specialist at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. They take us through the clinical trials lifecycle line by line, touching on financial considerations, training, staff retention, and the future of this integral offshoot of research administration.

How do you survive the next audit? What is the reality of F&A rate agreements in 2026?

We're joined by SRAI President Elect Marcos Garza, Assistant Vice President of Research Operations at the Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; and Cindy Hope, Director, Costing and Financial Compliance at COGR, for an accelerated masterclass on research costs, cloud-based systems, and the potential future of the FAIR Model. Success depends on how we adapt, and institutions must proceed with careful consideration.

NIH Common Forms are coming. Is your institution ready?

In a profession where funding is integral and at times uncertain, research administrators must remain ahead of the curve. In our latest episode, pre-award experts—Jose G. Alcaine, PHD, MBA, CRA, Director of Research Services & Affiliate Faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University, and SRAI Distinguished Faculty; and Simone Whitehead, Assistant Director, Sponsored Programs - PreAward, Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine—share practical guidance on navigating the adoption of NIH Common Forms ahead of the May deadline.

From the idiosyncrasies of SciENcv & ORCID IDs to team training and proactive planning strategies, tune in to hear what research administrators need to know right now to prepare and submit successful, NIH-compliant proposals.

We've talked about the potential of AI. But what is the reality behind current implementation tools? What are different institutions seeing and prioritizing? And how do research administrators carry this new technology while retaining the human element of our work that truly sets this profession apart?

In today's episode, we're joined by a diverse group of individuals with a broad range of experience spearheading the development of AI Tools: From Emory University: Lisa Wilson, MBA, PMP, CRA, Assistance Vice President of Research Administration; from the University of Idaho: Sarah Martonick, Director of Sponsored Programs, & Barrie Robinson, Director, Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences; and Tomer du Sautoy, CEO and Co-Founder of Atom Grants. Join us in examining how technology can strengthen collaboration across roles and institutions without replacing the people who power them. 

In a field navigating generational turnover, evolving expectations, and constant change, how can research administration teams work better… together? Kristin Scroggin, owner, speaker, and generational expert at genWHY Communications, discusses the generational dynamics in today’s workforce.

Drawing on research into how different generations communicate, work, and respond to change, we explore why tension shows up in teams—and what leaders and individuals can do to build clearer expectations, stronger onboarding, and more cohesive, collaborative offices.