Cost Sharing, September 1999
This workshop provides an in-depth, detailed review of the issues surrounding cost sharing on sponsored projects, primarily grants and contract funded by federal agencies.  The workshop presents definitions of cost sharing, both voluntary and mandatory.  The session also includes a review of the types of costs that qualify for cost sharing and the requirements for documenting cost sharing.  Information is provided on the relationship between cost sharing, effort reporting, and indirect cost rates.  This workshop is designed for research administrators with either pre-award and/or post award responsibilities.

The Ins and Outs of Contract Language, January, 2000
This workshop presents the basics of contract language.  It covers the major components to be found in standard contracts and explain their purpose and function.  To be an effective negotiator it is important to know not only what language is acceptable or unacceptable but the reasons why.  Thus, the workshop faculty delves into why certain contract language needs to be negotiate, giving the background of the clause, the definitions of key terms and the important historical and cultural differences between educational institutions and the parties with whom they contract, including private companies, which make negotiations difficult

Making the Right Moves in Handling Misconduct Allegations, March 2000
Indirect costs, or more properly titled, Facilities and Administrative Costs, remain a mystery to many faculty and other members of the campus community.  Designed for faculty, administrators on the departmental or school/college level, and newcomers to research administration, this program attempts to unravel the mystery by clearly explaining what indirect costs are, how they are calculated and applied, the types of rates institutions use, and what are the implications of waiving indirect costs on certain projects. 

Intellectual Property Issues for the Research Administrator, September 2000
This program discusses intellectual property issues that research administrators face on a regular basis such as identifying and assessing the significance of key issues and some alternative solutions along with covering the consequences that can occur for the anticipated technology and for the institution.

(ERA)-Where we are Today and What Can We Expect Tomorrow?, January 2001
Electronic Research Administration (ERA) is discussed in this program, as well as the impact of Public Law 106-107, the timetable and plans for the Federal Commons and selected specific initiative of leading federal agencies.  There is an opportunity to hear perspectives from both central and departmental administrators and technology specialists.

Divergent Views and Issues When Contracting w/Industry, March 2001
This program highlights the divergent views and issues associated with industrial contracting.  Perspectives of the university administrator, the university attorney and the company sponsor are incorporated to bring understanding to cultural differences.  Appropriate risk management and sample solutions are addressed.

Compliance Issues Impacting Financial Research Administrators, May 2001
This videoconference explores the requirements for compliance:  both the tangible documentation and the "spirit" of comply8ng with these requirements.  The focus is on those aspects that primarily affect research administrators in departmental business offices and central post-award units.  Discussed are:  strategies that may be employed to enhance compliance, the potential consequences for failure to comply, and meeting the intent of complying with the agency requirements.

What Department Administrators Need to Know About Compliance, September 2001
Department Administrators are at the front lines of research administration, and are the focus for communication between research and the central administration. Central administration implements regulatory requirements, but it is often the department administrator who must translate and impose those requirements on faculty.  This session is an exploration of what department administrators need to know about the increasingly complicated environment of research compliance.

Compliance Issues For Clinical Trials, January 2002
This includes discussions on Investigator Obligations, including the FDA's process for obtaining an IND/IDE; performance oversight responsibilities of PIs throughout the life of a clinical trial; and the ill-defined and troubling topic of incentives and finders fees.  IRB Obligations related to education and review and major institutional obligations (conflicts of interest, research billing and subject injury).

From a Culture of Compliance to a Culture of Concern, March 2002
The focus in this program is on compliance education and training and discusses the educational component of a compliance program:  the necessity of such a program, the beneficiaries and the methodology.

True Costs of Compliance and Why We Must Invest, May 2002
This program explores the funded and un-funded costs of compliance and the impact it has on Institutional and Agency budgets.  Also covered are: associated costs of non-compliance, the obvious, the unexpected and the hidden costs, as well as the benefits that accrue from investing in a comprehensive and integrated compliance program.

What Dept Administrators Need to Know About Post-Award and Cost-Analysis, September 2002
This workshop begins with "account set up" and ends with "account close out" and includes what departmental administrators and pre-award administrators should know about the mechanics of the facilities and administrative (F & A) rate, cost sharing, effort reporting, the Cost Accounting Standards, financial reporting, cash management, cost transfers and post auditing.

A-110 For Dept Administrators, January 2003
The OMB Circular A-110  provides the basis for the administrative requirements associated with federal grants and cooperative agreements awarded to colleges, universities and other non-profit organizations.  This workshop presents a thorough review of A-110, with special emphasis given to those aspects of the circular that have the most relevance for departmental administrators at grantee institutions.

Subawards & Subcontracts:  A Workshop Primer on Managing Collaborative Projects, March 2003
Putting together a multi-institution projects takes the cooperation of everyone from principal investigators to department administrator, from sponsored programs officials to procurement specialists, from research coordinators to accountants, as well as the cooperation of all their counterparts at collaborating institutions.  It also involves the full spectrum of research administration activities from proposal writing to contract negotiations, from budget building to expenditure reporting.  This workshop explores Subawards v. subcontracts, FAR flow downs, A-110 requirements, and the latest in subaward agreement forms and contract clauses..

Exploring the Life Cycle of Costs:  Budget to Audit, June 2003
This presentation will examine the life cycle of costs on a sponsored research project, from the budgeting process through expenditures and ultimately the audit examination.  The faculty presenters are experienced explorers in all aspects of a Life Cycle approach to understanding the budget and financial management of sponsored research agreements.  Pre-Award and Post-award administrators should find this presentation an opportunity to more clearly understand the implications and results of costing methods.

A Primer on Intellectual Property for the Research Administrator, September 2003
A thorough understanding of intellectual property, both the law and its practical application, is critical to the daily work of the research administrator.  This session is designed for the newcomer that wishes to gain a basic understanding of intellectual property.   

Cost Sharing Management, January 2004
This program discusses the various aspects of cost sharing, from proposal to award and through the project closeout.  It also discusses the expectations of the project sponsor regarding the documentation and reporting of cost sharing commitments and describes the cost sharing policy of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Research Records Management, March 2004
This is a review of the basics of records management.  Some of the questions addressed are:  How are records stored and who pays the cost?  How can we work with faculty to bring about an understanding of the importance of maintaining records?  What happens to records when a faculty member moves to another institution?

Project Management, June 2004
Project management includes many levels.  This program discusses organizing major multidisciplinary projects, program  projects or center grants.  Some of the topics covered are:  budgets and deliverables, performance tracking, IRB authorization agreements and HIPPAA, publications and invention reporting.

Conflict of Interest Management, September 2004
Getting disclosure of financial interest from researchers is the first step in addressing real or perceived conflicts of interest.  Managing the conflict is more difficult since there is no one model that fits the variety of financial relationships, research areas, sponsor types, and student involvement that may be encountered.  This workshop offers tested methods of conflict of interest management with guidance on how to evaluate the effectiveness of each.

Sponsored Research Management, January 2005
This provides an update for pre and post- award staff on the following financial administration topics:  allowable costs for budgets, including a brief discussion of the disconnect between grants management personnel, PIs and auditors; an overview of current issues in time and effort reporting; cost-sharing, purchasing, and subcontracting. 

International Sponsored Programs Administration, March 2005
This provides an overview of key regulatory issues, negotiating strategies, and administrative techniques in managing international project research.  Topics include:  fundamentals of budgeting and contract negotiation for international projects, working with foreign students & scientists, export regulations (ITAR/EAR/OFAC), subcontracting/contracting with foreign sites, intellectual property ownership and management.

Principles of Federal R & D Contracting, June 2005
This is a training opportunity for research administrators in central and department levels who are assigned the tasks of identifying contracting opportunities, submitting contract business proposals, and negotiating and managing federal contracts.    Also addressed are:  faculty issues, reading and interpreting RFPs (requests for proposals),  and preparation of contract budgets.

Best Practices in Research Compliance:  Update on Policies and Regulations and Implementation at Institutions, September 2005
This session includes an overview of the current state of various non-fiscal compliance areas such as human subjects, animal use, rDNA, safety, biohazards, select agents, and conflicts-of-interest.  The faculty for this workshop addresses centralized vs. decentralized responsibility and includes examples of lines of responsibility.

Post-award Issues for the Pre-Award and Departmental Administrator, January 2006
There is a fine line between pre- and post-award administration.  In some universities, these functions are handled within one office.  In others, these functions are handled by separate personnel in separate offices.  Regardless of whether your institution has a combined or separate office structure, all pre- and post-award personnel must possess a thorough understanding of proposal preparation through award closeout.  With this overall knowledge, research at your institution will be more effectively and efficiently managed.  This is a proactive approach to ensure pre- and post-award personnel work together in the award management process.

National Securities Issues Video Workshop, June 2006
This program addresses issues involving research that may involve national security concerns.  Topics include:  export control regulations, involvement of foreign nationals in research, international collaborations, "sensitive but unclassified" data, and security issues related to select agents and biocontainment laboratories and facilities.  Discussion includes institutional procedures related to export control as well as sensitive research projects, facilities, or activities.

Sponsored Projects Essentials, January 2007
In an ever-changing environment, the core building blocks of sponsored project administration are essential.  Whether you are new to the profession or a seasoned veteran, this workshop is intended to help you look at basic principles from a different perspective.  Every time you approve or sign on the dotted line, you should be thinking about reasonable, allocable, allowable and consistent.  And, if you have forgotten some of the basics and have fooled yourself into believing everything will be all right...it won't.  Topics include:  proposal phase/budget development, revised budget phase, award acceptance review of final budget, sub-recipient monitoring, purchase orders, accounts payment vouchers, cost transfers, financial reporting, time and effort, project monitoring.

Effort Reporting, March 2007
Auditors' continued attention on effort reporting has sparked numerous findings and...stories in the press.  This program will give the audience guidance on everything from bare-bones reporting necessary to stay in compliance to what some institutions are developing to help streamline their process. 
 

***This material is copy written by the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) and has been copied with permission for institutional use only.  Any reproduction without approval of NCURA  is strictly prohibited.