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. 

Research support staff Email List

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.

CNS Research Administrators network (CNS RAn)

The CNS Research Administrators’ Network (CNS RAN) is a university-recognized 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, changes and updates, and outstanding needs regarding grants administration. 

CLICK HERE FOR MEETING TIMES, SUMMARIES AND CONTACT INFO

Keep the distance social | Research administrators quick chat

In this era of working from home, you're invited to keep the distance social with a 30 minute pop-in/pop-out Zoom chat on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00AM. This is an opportunity to see familiar faces, maybe meet someone new, share updates, and stay connected even from a distance. Meeting details are below. Use the same meeting ID for each scheduled time. Feel free to forward this invitation to research administrators external to CNS and who may be seeking supplemental ways to connect with colleagues.

For anyone who may be unable to join the zoom time or prefer another platform for connection, consider establishing a regular time to chat with a co-worker or friend. If you're not sure who to reach out to, Anise Hawkins is ALWAYS happy to chat (about anything) and would love to arrange a time to connect (by zoom, phone, or other means) that works for you.

Meeting Details

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00AM*

Meeting ID: 456-665-222

https://utexas.zoom.us/j/452665222

*On rare occasion, an occurrence may be cancelled. To receive direct updates or cancellation notices please email ahawkins@austin.utexas.edu and request to be added to her calendar invite. This zoom meeting will not be held on the 4th Tuesday of each month as it conflicts with the monthly ARA meeting. 

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.

Association of Research Administrators

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. 

Office of Sponsored Projects

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.

Office of Industry Engagement 

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.

Office of Research Support and Compliance

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.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH

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. 

View the PI Book online