ARA Professional Development Travel
Award Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a research administrator?
A research administrator may support research at any stage of the research spectrum, from identification of funding opportunities to intellectual property management. 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 modification, 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
- Will the review panel give special consideration to applications demonstrating financial need?
No. Financial need is not taken into consideration during the review and selection process. Applicants are encouraged to exclude from their applications any reference to financial need.
- Who serves on the review panel?
The review committee is comprised of ARA members and other campus personnel who are: (1) familiar with the field of research administration and the professional development opportunities available to research administrators and (2) declare no conflict of interest with the applicants. Current and incoming ARA Committee Chairs are not eligible to serve on the review committee. Outgoing and past ARA Committee Chairs are eligible to serve on the review committee immediately following the end of their term.
- Are past award recipients eligible to apply?
Past award recipients may apply no sooner than three fiscal years after receiving a travel award (e.g. awardee for travel during FY 2021-2022 will not be eligible to submit another application until the RFA for travel during FY 2025-2026).
- Are committee chairs eligible to apply?
Current and incoming ARA Committee Chairs are not eligible to apply. Outgoing and past ARA Committee Chairs are eligible to apply beginning as of the first award cycle following the end of their term regardless of when their term ended.
- Are there restrictions to when an award recipient can travel?
Yes. Because funds are available on a fiscal year basis, travel must occur during Fiscal Year 2021-2022 or before August 31, 2022.
- Does the award recipient have to attend the conference/meeting identified in the application?
Yes. Selection is based on the anticipated impact of attending a particular professional development event. However, ARA recognizes that circumstances beyond the awardee’s control may prohibit attendance of the selected conference/meeting. In such an event, the awardee can propose attending an alternative research administration professional development event. The awardee will be required to provide updated information via the application form and to submit a new letter of support from his/her supervisor. ARA reserves the right to decline the proposal and to select another recipient from the original applicant pool.
- Are there restrictions to the type of conferences/meetings that an award recipient can attend using this award?
The conference or meeting must be related to research administration. Examples of 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), and sponsor specific research administration professional development events.
- How much is available for the travel award?
Up to $3,000 has been allocated by the Association of Research Administrators. The University Texas at Austin’s Handbook of Business Procedures, Part 11.Travel will be referenced for all travel reimbursement requests. ARA’s Travel Award winner will be given a guidance document for travel with more information.
- What costs are eligible for reimbursement up to $3,000?
Costs in accordance with the University’s Handbook of Business Procedures, Part 11.Travel are eligible for reimbursement. ARA’s Travel Award winner will be given a guidance document for travel with more information. Such costs may include:
- Conference/Meeting registration
- Air travel
- Lodging
- Ground transportation and mileage
- Per diem/Meals
- Are there any costs that are ineligible for reimbursement?
- Membership dues/fees are not eligible for reimbursement via the ARA Professional Development Travel Award. ARA’s Travel Award winner will be given a guidance document for travel with more information.
- Costs for lodging, transportation, and per diem/meals that are not affiliated with conference/meeting travel. ARA’s Travel Award winner will be given a guidance document for travel with more information.
*NOTE: The University of Texas at Austin’s Handbook of Business Procedures, Part 11.Travel will be referenced for all travel reimbursement requests.