Research Administration Training and Certification at Harvard

1. Research Administration Training and Certification at Harvard Patrick Fitzgerald Associate Dean for Research Administration Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) 1

2. Research Administration Training at Harvard Historically Largely decentralized: “Every Tub On Its Own Bottom” Every department too! University-wide Research Administration Training Team Established Fall 2007 “Senior Manager, University Research Administration Training” position created, TBH Evaluating training needs and Surveying extant materials One-Day “Overview of Sponsored Projects Administration” workshop created Online “basic training” modular curriculum well underway 2

3. Research Administration Training Office for Sponsored Programs Harvard’s Grants Management Application Suite (GMAS) Grants.gov & system to system with GMAS OSP representatives also help schools on an ad hoc basis Harvard Medical School (HMS) ASPIREhttp://www.hms.harvard.edu/spa/training/classes.shtml Initially mandatory, now voluntary Popular, but no institutional certificate Center for Workplace Development (CWD) offers Training expertise Online training creation and help Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) new program 3 Representatives from Harvard’s major research schools Representatives from Harvard’s major research schools

4. FAS Training Assumptions & Priorities Increased knowledge= reduced risk, greater efficiency & better service to faculty Tiered levels of training needs Faculty & Researchers Administrative Staff Departmental Administrators Faculty Assistants & Lab administrators FAS decided to prioritize Faculty Assistant/Lab administrator trainings 4 Identified by department administrators on the FAS Research Administration Training Committee Identified by department administrators on the FAS Research Administration Training Committee

5. FAS Training Goals and Challenges Identify research administrators in all departments at all levels Develop clear career paths in Research Administration Standardize RA position descriptions by level of service needed Build trust in effectiveness of training programs Disseminate knowledge efficiently Create a community where RA knowledge is shared 5 Identified by department administrators on the FAS Research Administration Training Committee Identified by department administrators on the FAS Research Administration Training Committee

6. Current FAS Program One-hour research administration session for new faculty Responsible Conduct of Research program for Pre- and Post-doctoral students Monthly “SPA Friday” discussion/informational meetings for departmental grants administrators In-person training sessions for all budgeting, sponsored reporting systems, etc. “Spending Sponsored Funds” workshop Training, Job Aid & Template sections of website Ad-Hoc outreach and assistance to faculty and departments 6 FAS Finance and Education Specialist Hired October 2006 Research Administration experience Acquired training skills Duties Member, University-wide RA Training Team Chairs FAS RA Training Committee Consists of department grants administrators Goal: Prioritizing and Advising on training needs Helps to plan monthly “SPA Fridays” for departmental grants administrators Develops, Coordinates, and Presents in-person training sessions, including all Handouts Computer workshops in budgeting, sponsored reporting, etc. “Spending Sponsored Funds” workshop Workbooks Maintains Training section of FAS RAS Website Job Aids and Templates Classes Other resources Provides outreach and assistance to FAS Departments on an ad-hoc basis FAS Finance and Education Specialist Hired October 2006 Research Administration experience Acquired training skills Duties Member, University-wide RA Training Team Chairs FAS RA Training Committee Consists of department grants administrators Goal: Prioritizing and Advising on training needs Helps to plan monthly “SPA Fridays” for departmental grants administrators Develops, Coordinates, and Presents in-person training sessions, including all Handouts Computer workshops in budgeting, sponsored reporting, etc. “Spending Sponsored Funds” workshop Workbooks Maintains Training section of FAS RAS Website Job Aids and Templates Classes Other resources Provides outreach and assistance to FAS Departments on an ad-hoc basis

7. Future FAS Program FAS-wide forums for researchers and research administrators Clear multi-week curriculum for Researchers Faculty Assistants and Lab Administrators Departmental Pre- and Post-award Administrators With completion certificate and other meaningful reward TBD Faculty and researcher education Mentor program Cross departmental work support groups Online Community 7

8. Research Administration Certification Program at Emmanuel College HU partnered with local college to develop a graduate certificate program in RA Goal: Staff development and retention Certificate program is ½ of MS in Mgmt About Emmanuel College Catholic Co-Ed institution founded in 1919 Located in Boston Longwood Medical Area—adjacent to HMS and teaching hospitals Traditional liberal arts and sciences program Innovative part-time grad and undergrad programs for adult students Intern program for undergrads 8

9. Research Administration Certification Program at Emmanuel College Six-course, 18 credit hour certificate Taught by research admin professionals Supplements “on-the-job” training by offering courses in grant and contract management, finance, ethics, leadership and organizational behavior, law and regulations, etc. Course launched September 2008 Website: http://www.emmanuel.edu/GPP_Programs/Graduate_Certificate_in_Research_Administration.html 9