Many resources are available to support research administrators. Read on to learn more about college and campus-wide networks and offices which research administrators may tap into for support and information. Be sure to check out our Professional Development page for additional resources both on and off-campus.
The College of Natural Sciences has more than 60 professionals working in pre- and post-award research administration. These staff members’ responsibilities include proposal preparation and coordination with OSP and OIE, the appointment of project-related personnel and financial management of awarded grants. Strategic Research Initiatives provides mentoring and assistance to research support staff in the College. We support administrative staff who work on grants by providing individual training and proposal preparation guidance. Additionally, we help research administrators develop efficient and effective strategies to shepherd proposals and awards through the research administration pipeline. New and experienced research support staff are encouraged to explore the resources available on and through the Strategic Research Initiatives website. Contact us for assistance or to suggest a needed resource. Strategic Research Initiatives maintains a roster of research support staff, frequently referred to as research administrators, in the College. This list of professionals receives email updates from the Dean’s office regarding internal competition deadlines, changes to internal (UT) or external (sponsor-mandated) research policies, professional development opportunity announcements, and other notices impacting research administration on campus. Please contact us if you would like to be added to our roster. The CNS Research Administrators’ Network (CNS RAN) is a self-governed association of research administrators within the College of Natural Sciences. CNS RAN has the overarching goal of improving grants administration practices and facilitating open discussion about grants administration within the College. The group meets monthly to discuss best practices and outstanding needs regarding grants administration. Meetings are scheduled for 10:00 - 11:00 AM on the 2nd Wednesday of each month and are typically held in NMS 5.106. On occasion, the meeting location may change to accommodate a larger group, guest speaker, or facility tour. Room changes, agendas, and discussion summaries are distributed via email to the CNS Research Administrator Network listserv. Please contact Group Facilitator Yvette Canedo to be added to the distribution list. 2019-2020 CNS Research Administrators’ Network Meeting Schedule: Access the discussion summaries of past meetings here. To learn more about CNS RAN or to receive meeting reminders, contact Group Facilitator Yvette Canedo, Sr. Grants and Contracts Specialist in the Department of Molecular Biosciences.
The University offers many resources to research administrators across campus. SRI encourages research administrators to explore the websites of the offices and organizations listed below. The Association of Research Administrators (ARA) is an organization of university employees whose vision is to unite and strengthen research administration at UT-Austin. The mission of the ARA is to build a campus-wide network of research administrators, facilitate the exchange of information across campus, to explore strategies to improve research administration and provide professional development opportunities. ARA conducts monthly professional meetings with knowledgeable speakers and enthusiastic discussion. Meetings are scheduled for 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM on the fourth Tuesday of each month (no meeting in December, July, and August) and are typically held in POB 2.402. Following each meeting, ARA provides attendees confirmation of education contact hours which may be submitted for CRA recertification. Read more about ARA and access additional research administrator resources via ARA's website. The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) serves as the University's coordinating office for research and sponsored projects proposed to and funded by federal and state agencies and foundations. The goal of the OSP is to assist faculty and professional research staff in their efforts to secure and ensure proper stewardship of external funding. OSP maintains an informative website with resources for researchers and research support staff. The Office of Sponsored Projects also maintains a Research Administrators’ Network (RAN) listserv. This listserv is a valuable resource for new and experienced research administrators in the College. Learn more about the RAN and sign up to receive emails. The Office of Industry Engagement (OIE) is charged with coordinating and negotiating all University research contracts funded solely by private industry. OIE offers specialized contractual expertise and helps forge long-term relationships with industry. The Office of Research Support and Compliance (RSC) consists of four main areas: the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), and Conflict of Interest section. The mission of RSC is to ensure that all research conducted on campus complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and University policies. In addition to setting university research policy, coordinating campus-wide interdisciplinary research initiatives, and managing limited submission competitions, the Office of the Vice President for Research partners with colleges, research units, research support staff, and independent faculty investigators across campus to advise on best practices for pursuing funding and executing research awards. The Office of the Vice President for Research has compiled the essential information for navigating the UT research enterprise in the PI Book. This is a great resource for both PIs and research administrators.
CNS Research Administrator Resources
Research support staff Email List
CNS Research Administrators’ network (CNS RAn)
University-Wide Research Administrator Resources
Association of Research Administrators
Office of Sponsored Projects
Office of Industry Engagement
Office of Research Support and Compliance
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH
