Research administrators from across campus came together to learn about and discuss best practices when working with faculty and staff to develop, submit, and manage their sponsored projects.  Heather Offhaus, Director of Grant Review & Analysis at the University of Michigan Medical School, led participants in exploring best practices for moving the research enterprise forward, together.

Regardless of duties, everyone who supports those engaged in sponsored activities agreed on core best practices, with subtle nuances given specific roles and responsibilities:

Best Practices for Pre-award:

• Read the program guidelines
• Talk with PIs about the proposal process at CSU
• Anticipate obstacles (e.g., tricky terms & conditions, subawardees, etc.)
• Touch base regularly with PIs to discuss how their proposal is progressing
• Communicate with post-award
• Plan early for submission
• Find a colleague willing to share their spreadsheets and budgeting tools
• Communicate with PIs, OSP, and each other
• Network at CSU and with colleagues in professional organizations like NCURA (National Council of University Research Administrators)

Best Practices for Post-award:

• Read the award document
• Talk with new PIs about the award process at CSU
• Anticipate common pitfalls
• Meet regularly with PIs to discuss how research is progressing
• Reconcile accounts monthly; make projections according to project objectives and work accomplished
• Plan early for closeout
• Find a colleague willing to share their spreadsheets and forecasting tools
• Communicate with PIs, OSP, and each other
• Network at CSU and with colleagues in professional organizations like NCURA

Many thanks to Heather for leading us in our discussions and discoveries; to the Training & Professional Development Committee for refining the learning objectives and agenda; to Lauren Lucio, Liz Grinstead, and Tracey Trujillo for assisting with logistics; and to all of you who able to participate and share your best practices.