The Association of Research Administrators (ARA) has a core mission to provide research administrators with professional development opportunities. In support of that mission, the ARA Professional Development Award provides opportunities for research administrator(s) to engage in advancing their knowledge, networking, and professional skills in the field of research administration. This award is made possible through the generous support of UT Austin’s Associate Deans for Research. Updates on the next opportunity to apply for the Professional Development Award will be shared at monthly ARA meetings and via Research Administrators Network (RAN) communications.
Applicant Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be full-time staff members whose primary responsibilities are in research administration and be employed by any unit, center, department, or office of UT Austin for a minimum of one year as of the proposal’s due date. Example responsibilities of a research administrator include but are not limited to:
- Identify research funding opportunities.
- Participate in proposal development, internal review processes, and submission to a funding agency.
- Negotiate terms and conditions of awards and participate in the administration of an award.
- Assist with contract modifications, extensions, progress reports, or effort certification.
- Participate in the administration of a research account, centrally or departmentally, from account set-up to account management to close-out.
- Provide support in the form of compliance review for export controls, animal use, human subject research, biosafety matters, etc.
- Manage invention disclosures and intellectual property generated by sponsored research.
Faculty, research assistants, and other research personnel who are major contributors to the conduct of research are not eligible to apply. Current and incoming ARA Committee Chairs are not eligible to apply until the end of their term. Review committee members are only eligible to apply in proposal cycles where they are not reviewing ARA Professional Development proposals.
Eligible Funds and Expenses
Award(s) will be made to eligible staff members following the University’s Handbook of Business Procedures depending on the application amounts and the number of applications received. Award amounts may vary depending on the availability of funds. Funds must be spent on research administration professional development. Membership dues and costs for lodging, transportation, and meal per diem that are not affiliated with conference or meeting travel are ineligible expenses. Eligible expenses may include, but are not limited to:
- Expenses (i.e., conference/meeting registration, airfare, lodging expenses, transportation, mileage expenses, and meal per diem) associated with a research administration conference
- Certified Research Administrator (CRA) Examination fees or recertification fees
- Certified Pre-Award Research Administration Examination fees or recertification fees
- Certified Financial Research Administration Examination fees or recertification fees
Some professional organizations offering research administration educational opportunities include, but are not limited to:
- National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA)
- Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI)
- Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM)
- University-Industry Demonstration Partnership (UIDP)
- Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP)
- National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP)
- Council on Governmental Relations (COGR)
- National Contract Management Association (NCMA)
If you have any questions about the Professional Development Award, please reach out to Vickie Grier.