Life Cycle of the Award Series

The award life cycle refers to the entire process of an award — from finding an opportunity and developing a proposal through award implementation and ending with the closeout of an award. This on-demand education portal contains video webinars and supporting resources which will walk the participant through the entire life cycle.

• Proposal Development

  Proposal Development

  The Proposal Development video webinar is a three-part series that covers the essentials of proposal development from inception through submission. (Each part is 90 minutes in length.)

  • Part I begins with proposal planning and review of the project and the application requirements.
  • Part II continues with a session on the budget and justification and is completed with a session on preparation and submission.
  • Part III will include discussion of proposal planning, logistics, financial and compliance considerations.

  Note: There will be full series dedicated to budgeting later in the Life Cycle series. The panel will provide guidance for the proposal lifecycle. While some of the material will be basic and introductory, there will be additional details that will benefit experienced learners.

  Learning objective:

  • Participants will gain a thorough understanding of proposal development from planning through submission.

  To access the videos and course handout materials, please sign-on here

• Budgeting

  Budgeting

  Are you ready to start building your sponsored project or idea, but do not know what and how much to ask for? If preparing a budget for your grant or contract is daunting for you, come learn the basic elements of how to draft a project budget with confidence.

  An effective budget can be a productive tool in driving towards your goals for the entire life of the project. We also need to ensure that we have the funds needed to complete the project successfully and do not to leave resources on the table.

  This 3-part session will walk through the development of a project budget including: what costs need to be covered, categorization of budget costs by differing sponsors, utilizing the appropriate rates as required and more. (Each part is 90 minutes in length.)

  Learning objectives:

  • The basic components of a project budget
  • How to estimate the realistic cost of a project
  • What other documents you may also need to submit with your proposal

  To access the videos and course handout materials, please sign-on here

• Award Negotiation and Acceptance

  Award Negotiation and Acceptance

  The Award Negotiation and Acceptance webinar is a three-part series that focuses on negotiating with a sponsor, identifying problematic contract terms and conditions, and navigating solutions designed to satisfy both parties. (Each part is 90 minutes in length.)

  • Part I begins with an overarching discussion of general negotiation and contracting principles. Part I also addresses issues of institutional culture and other concerns that may influence how you approach a contract negotiation.
  • Part II continues with a session on the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs), specifically addressing how the FARs operate, FAR clauses that require special attention, and when FAR clauses may have alternatives that are more acceptable to universities.
  • Part III focuses on contracting with private sector and international sponsors. Building on Parts I and II, topics will include the major differences between Federal contracts and industry or international contracts, especially thorny terms and conditions, and the unique considerations that come into play if you work at a public university, a private university, or a non-profit organization.

  Learning objectives:

  By the end of this three-part webinar, participants should have the tools necessary to be able to:

  • identify the institutional norms for contract negotiation on their campus
  • apply different contract negotiation strategies when working with a sponsor
  • understand the basic principles of federal contracting
  • identify and resolve difficult terms and conditions in the arena of private sector and international contracts

  To access the videos and course handout materials, please sign-on here

• Award Monitoring / Award Management

  Award Monitoring / Award Management

  This 2-part session is the fifth offering in the Life Cycle of the Award Series. (Each part is 2 hours in length.)

  The sessions focus on award management strategies and techniques for both the central and departmental research administrators tasked with financial oversight of sponsored awards.

  This workshop will focus on what to look for during award initiation and award closeout, as well as discuss strategies for how the research administrator can best support the PI during the period of performance to maximize award spending, while effectively managing risk.

  Furthermore, this online workshop will review some perennial hot topics such as cost transfers, subaward monitoring, cost sharing, and effective and efficient award closeouts.

  Learning objectives:

  • Participants will learn techniques for identifying higher risk awards and transactions and what documentation to put in place to support these costs (or when to transfer them off of the award) as well as an awareness of when to ask more questions.
  • Participants will also be introduced to proactive award management strategies that, if applied during the life of the award, will support an efficient and timely closeout.

  To access the videos and course handout materials, please sign-on here

• Compliance

  Compliance

  This 2-part session is the final offering of the Life Cycle of the Award Series.  (Each part is 2 hours in length.)  

  The sessions feature discussion of a variety of compliance topics essential to the knowledge of every research administrator. It will cover the basics of institutional committee review for biosafety, human research participants, and animal research, as well as export compliance, conflict of interest, and research misconduct. True-life examples will highlight the importance of knowing where to find expertise and resources at your institution and beyond, creating a “compliance network."

  Learning objectives:

  • Participants will understand basic issues and red flags for key areas of research compliance.
  • Participants will be introduced to the concept of building a culture of compliance and balancing regulation with facilitation.

  To access the videos and course handout materials, please sign-on here