Research Administrator Certificate
Registration for the Research Administrator Certificate is now closed. Please check back in January for spring registration dates. Thank you for your interest in the program.
The Research Administrator Certificate is a program offered every fall and spring semester by University Research Services & Administration (URSA). It is designed to train and prepare research administrators to assist in the management of sponsored programs from beginning to end. The curriculum includes twelve required courses which cover all aspects of grants management from the proposal to the close-out and audit processes. The program may be completed in one semester or can take up to a year. Classes occur on average three times a month. Seats are limited so it's important to register early during the recruitment period (typically, August and January).
A few classes have a test-out option which allows participants to take a pre-test for which a qualifying score allows them to opt out of the class. Participants must commit to attending each class in the program for which there is not a test-out option. The classes are offered in sequential order patterned after the life cycle of a grant.
Verbal, written and online exercises are an integral part of the classes. Some workshops include homework and post-test follow-up. There is a comprehensive exam after the completion of all required courses. Upon successful completion of the program a Certificate in Research Administration is awarded.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact URSA Sr. Training Specialist, Princeanna Walker at (404) 413-3506 or princeannawalker@gsu.edu.
Research Administrator Certificate Classes:
Introduction to Research Administration – Workshop topics include personnel roles and responsibilities; grant terminology; gifts vs. sponsored projects; funding sources, agreement types, URSA website; and an overview of the proposal life cycle.
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Introduction to Research Compliance – Workshop topics include cost of non-compliance; research misconduct; conflict of interest; human rights; animal rights; hazardous materials; environmental safety; and GSU policies.
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Pre-award Administration – Workshop topics include pre-award negotiations, proposal life cycle (routing through submission.
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Basic Budgets I – Workshop topics include budget elements; direct/indirect costs; cost sharing; subcontracts; sample budgets; and budget justifications.
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Basic Budgets II - Workshop is a continuation of topics covered in Basic Budgets I including producing sample budgets and budget justifications.
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Post Award Administration, Part I – Workshop topics include account set-up; cost sharing; companion accounts; pre-award spending, allowable costs; rebudgeting; invoicing/expenditures and OMB A-110.
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Cost Principles – Workshop topics include cost accounting standards; disclosure statements; allowability of costs; direct costs; F & A costs; and OMB circulars.
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Sub-Awards – Workshop topics include proposal requirements; contract negotiations; budget building; expenditure reporting; sub-recipient responsibilities and monitoring.
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Post Award Administration, Part II – Workshop topics include cost transfers; award monitoring; project budget reports; changes to awards, expanded authorities; financial reports and renewals.
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Closeout/Audit Procedures – Workshop topics include no-cost extensions; pre-termination process; cost overruns, residuals; OMB A-133; record retention and surviving an audit.
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Effort Reporting – Workshop topics include definitions; federal requirements; GSU policies; personnel roles and responsibilities and hands-on ERS system training.
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Spectrum GRANTS Navigation– This workshop will cover navigation within the PeopleSoft Spectrum GRANTS module. You will learn how to look up sponsored projects and run simple reports.