Welcome to MURC Training & Resources
At Marshall University Research Corporation (MURC), we believe that empowering researchers begins with education. Our Training & Resources page serves as your central hub for professional development, offering workshops, on-demand learning, guidance documents, and practical tools to support every stage of the research lifecycle. Whether you’re seeking funding, developing a proposal, managing an award, or expanding your research knowledge, MURC is here to help you succeed. Explore our upcoming trainings and resources—we’re excited to support your research journey.
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2026 Fall Trainings Schedule
The MURC Fall 2026 Training Series features expert-led workshops that help faculty, staff, students, and research administrators navigate every stage of sponsored research. Whether you’re developing proposals, managing awards, learning Cayuse, or exploring research compliance, you’ll gain practical skills, valuable resources, and connections to help you succeed.
Register Here Downloadable Training Schedule
The Marshall University Technology Transfer Office invites you to an upcoming workshop focused on securing non-dilutive federal funding.
Why Attend? The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide billions of dollars annually to help researchers and entrepreneurs commercialize technology. This session will provide actionable strategies for navigating the federal application process, structuring winnable proposals, and turning research into revenue. A networking session with light refreshments will also be held to help facilitate future collaborations between industry and academic researchers. Please email tto@marshall.edu with industry partners you’d like us to invite!
Who Should Attend: Faculty, researchers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in federal innovation funding.
This session provides MURC supervisors with practical guidance on the performance management process, including goal setting, documentation, feedback and employee development. Learn best practices for supporting employee success throughout the evaluation cycle.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, supervisors will be able to:
- Explain the MURC performance management and annual evaluation process.
- Develop clear and measurable employee goals.
- Document employee performance consistently and appropriately.
- Navigate the PeopleAdmin evaluation system.
- Conduct constructive performance and development conversations.
- Identify when additional Human Resources guidance is needed.
Who Should Attend: MURC supervisors and managers.
Discover how the TIG team can strengthen your grant proposals through expert review and proposal development support. Learn when to engage TIG, what services are available and how early collaboration can improve proposal competitiveness.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Explain TIG’s role in the proposal development process.
- Identify the proposal development services available through TIG.
- Understand how early engagement can improve proposal quality and competitiveness.
- Describe how faculty members work with TIG from initial idea through submission.
- Identify the appropriate next step for requesting TIG support.
Who Should Attend: Faculty and research staff preparing grant proposals.
Learn the fundamentals of Cayuse SP, including creating proposal records, entering project information, uploading required documents and routing proposals through the institutional approval process.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Explain how Cayuse SP fits within the broader Cayuse ecosystem.
- Create and complete a proposal record.
- Upload required proposal and budget materials.
- Understand the internal routing and approval process.
- Identify common errors that can delay proposal review and submission.
Who Should Attend: Anyone submitting sponsored project proposals.
Build stronger proposal budgets by learning the fundamentals of sponsored project budgeting. This session introduces MURC’s new budget template while reviewing salary, fringe, F&A, equipment, travel and other common budget categories.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Identify the major components of a sponsored project budget.
- Distinguish between direct and indirect costs.
- Apply current fringe benefit and F&A rates appropriately.
- Use the new MURC budget template.
- Recognize common budgeting errors before internal review.
Who Should Attend: Faculty, grant administrators and departmental staff involved in proposal budgeting.
Understand the differences between subawards and service agreements and learn how to properly budget, document, monitor and manage each throughout the life of an award.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Distinguish among subawards, service agreements, consultants, and independent contractors.
- Select the appropriate agreement based on the nature of the work.
- Identify required documentation and budgeting considerations.
- Explain the principal investigator’s monitoring responsibilities.
- Understand how agreement changes are handled after an award begins.
Who Should Attend: Principal investigators, grant administrators and research staff.
Meet Marshall’s Interim Research Integrity Officer and learn about research compliance resources, regulatory oversight and services available to help researchers conduct ethical and compliant research.
Who Should Attend: Faculty, researchers and research administrators.
Prepare for successful grant closeout by understanding financial reconciliation, reporting requirements, final documentation, equipment considerations and common closeout pitfalls.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Explain the major financial, administrative, and programmatic requirements of grant closeout.
- Identify the responsibilities of the principal investigator, department, MURC, and sponsor.
- Prepare for closeout before the award end date.
- Recognize common issues that delay final reporting and account closure.
- Use a closeout timeline and checklist to manage required actions.
Who Should Attend: Principal investigators and research administrators managing sponsored awards.
Hear from Marshall experts as they discuss intellectual property, invention disclosures, licensing, commercialization and the process of launching faculty start-up companies.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Explain the purpose of technology transfer.
- Recognize research discoveries that may have commercialization potential.
- Understand the basic disclosure, evaluation, protection, and licensing process.
- Describe the differences between licensing technology to an existing company and forming a faculty start-up.
- Identify Marshall resources available to support inventors and entrepreneurs.
Who Should Attend: Faculty, researchers, innovators and graduate students.
Learn how to navigate Cayuse Fund Manager to monitor award activity, review expenditures, understand balances and access financial information needed throughout the life of a sponsored project.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Explain how Cayuse Fund Manager fits within the Cayuse ecosystem.
- Locate and review sponsored project financial information.
- Interpret budget balances, expenditures, encumbrances, and available balances.
- Use Fund Manager reports to support regular award monitoring.
- Recognize financial questions or concerns that should be discussed with MURC.
Who Should Attend: Principal investigators, departmental administrators and research staff.
Discover how early planning leads to stronger proposals and smoother submissions. Learn strategies for developing project ideas, building teams, engaging MURC resources and preparing for a successful proposal process.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Explain how early planning improves proposal quality and competitiveness.
- Identify the major stages of proposal development.
- Develop a realistic internal proposal timeline.
- Determine when to engage MURC offices and support services.
- Use planning tools to coordinate proposal tasks, contributors, and deadlines.
Who Should Attend: Faculty, new investigators and anyone planning to pursue external funding.
Pre-Award
This step-by-step guide walks users through the process of initiating a new proposal record in Cayuse Sponsored Projects (SP). Designed for faculty and research staff, the tutorial outlines how to access the system, complete required fields, and route the proposal for internal approvals. It ensures accurate proposal entry and supports efficient pre-award administration at MURC. Ideal for both new and returning users of Cayuse SP.
This guide explains the process for requesting a no-cost extension (NCE) on sponsored projects managed through MURC. It outlines when and why an NCE may be appropriate, the documentation required, and the steps for submitting a request through the appropriate channels. The guide also highlights key compliance considerations and sponsor-specific requirements to ensure timely and accurate processing. Ideal for principal investigators and grant administrators managing project timelines.
View document here.
This session covers the basic components of a standard grant proposal. Also included are agency-specific requirements, timelines for planning and the proposal from the reviewers’ point of view.
This session covers the basic components of a standard grant proposal. Also included are agency-specific requirements, timelines for planning and the proposal from the reviewers’ point of view.
This document help PIs easily classify their projects that determines the correct F&A rate to apply.
Access here.
This document help PIs easily complete the Advanced Funding Dynamic Form.
Access here.
Post Award
This training provides essential guidance on using the MURC Purchase Card (P-Card) in compliance with institutional policies. It covers allowable and unallowable expenses, documentation requirements, reconciliation steps, and cardholder responsibilities. The presentation outlines how to ensure proper use of grant funds when making purchases and helps users understand monthly reporting expectations and audit readiness. This training is required for all new cardholders and is a helpful refresher for current users managing grant-related transactions.
View PowerPoint here.
Learn the difference between Encumbrance and Requisition and when to use depending on the type of purchase.
Completing a Encumbrance
Completing a Requisition
PowerPoint .pdf
Learn the difference between Encumbrance and Requisition and when to use depending on the type of purchase.
Mastering Requisitions Recorded Training Nov. 13, 2025
Master Requisitions PowerPoint
This document is for those service agreements that are only under the “Contractual” grant budget line that are reviewed by your Pre-Award Grants Officer (if applicable) and Kristen Webb, Contract and Subaward Compliance Officer . If you have an agreement for the purchase of software, software licenses, rental/hotel agreements, equipment, or maintenance agreements, this process does not apply and will need to work with your Grants Compliance Administrator.
When invoicing against a Purchase Order (PO), the vendor is required to complete the MURC Service Agreement Invoice to ensure all relevant information is properly recorded and that the invoicing aligns with the terms of the service agreement. It is alright if the vendor attaches their own invoice, but they must use the MURC Invoice. This document must be completed by the vendor.
Step by step process .pdf
A hotel agreement is a contract between the Marshall University Research Corporation and a hotel to provide accommodations for participants in grant-related events. These agreements are often used when hosting conferences, meetings, or events related to the grant.
Step by Step Process .pdf
This training provides faculty and staff with essential guidance on how to initiate and manage subawards at both the proposal and award stages. You’ll learn how to determine the appropriate agreement type, coordinate with key MURC contacts, gather required documentation, and navigate post-award steps including vendor setup, requisition creation, and compliance reviews. Whether you’re a PI, department administrator, or research support staff, this resource helps ensure subawards are processed smoothly, compliantly, and on time—supporting strong collaborations and successful grant outcomes.
View Process here
View PowerPoint here.
View recording of April 2, 2025, training here.
Once a subaward agreement and Purchase Order are in place, the invoicing process begins. This guide walks Principal Investigators and departments through each step—from reviewing subrecipient invoices for accuracy and completing the required PI Payment & Performance Certification Form, to submitting documentation for compliance review and final payment processing. Clear roles and timely communication help prevent delays and ensure MURC meets its financial and audit responsibilities.
View Process here
Financial Administration
In this training, you will meet members of our Accounts Receivable and Financial Reporting team, learn how sponsors reimburse grant expenditures, understand the financial reporting requirements that come with sponsored awards, and become familiar with the systems and processes MURC uses to support grant financial management.
View PowerPoint
View recorded training from July 15, 2026, training.
HR and Payroll
This guide walks principal investigators and grant managers through the process of hiring staff on externally funded projects. It covers key steps from position planning and posting to onboarding and compliance requirements. Designed to ensure smooth coordination with HR and MURC, the guide emphasizes best practices for building a strong project team while adhering to sponsor and institutional policies.
View PowerPoint here.
Other Trainings and Resources
This training provides an overview of U.S. export control regulations and their relevance to research conducted at Marshall University. It covers key concepts, including deemed exports, restricted parties, and international travel considerations. The guide outlines researcher responsibilities, compliance procedures, and when to seek additional review. Essential for faculty, staff, and students engaged in international research collaborations or working with controlled technologies or data.
View video of May 14, 2025, Workshop here.
View PowerPoint here
Marshall University users involved in animal or human subject research are required to sign up for the CITI system and take the required courses. This system also offers optional research administration training modules, described here.
To register in the CITI system, please visit https://www.marshall.edu/ori/files/CITI-Instructions-ERA-Course.pdf
Elements of Research Administration
This CITI module provides research administration professionals (sponsored program professionals and managers), principal investigators (PIs), and project directors with an overview of the different administrative components of sponsored programs. The Research Administration course as a whole will cover different areas of the sponsored programs administration profession, with five different modules
- Elements of Research Administration
- Elements of Research Development
- Elements of Preaward
- Elements of Negotiation and Acceptance
- Elements of PostAward
RCR Research
All researchers, staff and students of National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored grants are required to complete an educational course on the Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR). The educational course utilized by Marshall University is the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI). The steps for completing the educational requirements can also be found on the ORI educational website at. The course is broken down into approximately 25-minute modules so you can complete the modules as time permits. The steps for completing can be found here.
PHS COI
PIs, Co-Is, and Co-PIs of US PHS (which includes the NIH) funded projects must complete the PHS COI course prior to award set up. The steps for completing the educational requirements can also be found on the ORI educational website here.
For information, please contact Brett Williams, brett.williams@marshall.edu with the Office of Research Integrity.
Recorded Trainings
A walk through the MURC Accounts Payable process—what it is, how it works, and how each of you plays a role in ensuring payments are accurate, compliant, and timely.
This session covers the basic components of a standard grant proposal. Also included are agency-specific requirements, timelines for planning and the proposal from the reviewers’ points of view.
Concepts of grantsmanship for seasoned principal investigators (PIs).
Watch Training Here.
PowerPoint Here.
This workshop is an introduction to MURC’s post-award services and will feature a Q&A session with our post-award officers.
This session covers the basic components of a standard grant proposal. Also included are agency-specific requirements, timelines for planning and the proposal from the reviewers’ point of view.
Do you wonder how to find funding opportunities that are an exact match for your research or how to find the perfect grant opportunity or collaborator to move your research forward? Learn from the experts! Representatives from GrantForward provided valuable and insightful information on how to navigate through the world’s largest research opportunities database– to search for grants with powerful filters and receive personalized grant recommendations based on your research profiles; guidance on how to find partners, based on their research interests, is also provided.
Find Grants (PDF | Video)
Receive Grant Recommendations (PDF | Video)
Get Pre-Award Information (PDF | Video)