S1: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Automation in Research Administration: Practical Strategies from 20 Years of AI Building

Presenter:

Jim Wagner, The Contract Network

*This session will explore how research administrators can harness AI and process automation to streamline their processes, including contract negotiations:

Present an introduction to AI and best practices for AI prompting and interaction

Define realistic AI use-cases in research administration

Provide hands-on interactive exercises of building applications and interacting with AI in a contextual setting for research administration

Track: Technology; Professional Development       

Experience Level: Basic; Intermediate

 

S2: Engaging Training in the Research Administration Realm: Systems Guides and In-Person Sessions

Presenters:

Kyle Mullaney, North Carolina State University

Jordan Phillips, North Carolina State University

Susannah Lawrence, North Carolina State University

*Training doesn’t have to be dry—or dreaded. Amidst the complexity of research administration, we’ve found engagement involves knowing your audiences and where to meet them. We’ll unpack two core strategies: first, how partnering with subject matter experts can lead to interactive, in-person sessions that get people talking, thinking, and occasionally even enjoying themselves. Then we’ll turn to the power of short, direct, user-centered system guides and videos that answer questions without fluff. And here’s the kicker: we’ll invite you to help us crack one nut we haven’t quite split—where to usefully store guides for internal/central office users? Practical, flexible, and just witty enough to keep you awake—it’s RA training with a pulse.

Track: Technology; Professional Development       

Experience Level: All Levels

 

S3: Leading Beyond the Award: Navigating the Hidden Pitfalls of Post-Award Management

Presenter:

Denise Wynn, Wynn Essentials, LLC

*Post-award management is where the success of a funded project truly takes shape—but it's also where many leaderships blind spots emerge. This session explores the common pitfalls research leaders face in post-award oversight, including compliance drift, poor communication between stakeholders, lack of effort accountability, and underdeveloped post-award infrastructure. Through real-world examples and strategic insights, participants will learn how to proactively lead with clarity, mitigate risks, and build systems that support transparency, fiscal responsibility, and long-term grant success.

Track: Post Award; Compliance

Experience Level: All Levels

 

S4: Beyond the Checklist: Engaging PIs in Meaningful Proposal Discussions

Presenters:

Jessica Miller, East Carolina University

Janie Woodie, East Carolina University

*For research administrators in Pre-Award, collaborating with PIs during the proposal submission process begins with a well-prepared and well-led proposal preparation meeting. Whether you’re new to research administration or a seasoned professional, this session will provide insight to enhance your proposal preparation meeting.  We will explore concepts for structuring the meeting to maximize efficiency, ensure compliance, and improve proposal success rates.

Track: Pre-Award

Experience Level: Basic

 

S5: Tightropes & Terminations: Walking the Line When Executive Orders Drop

Presenters:

Eddie Serrano, Huron Consulting Group

Joy Dismukes, UNC Greensboro

Tonjia May, North Carolina A&T State University

Amy Coble, UNC Greensboro

*This interactive session will cover key steps for managing early terminations in research projects to minimize financial risk to institutions. It emphasizes the importance of proactive planning, clear communication, and standard workflow from Pre-Award to post-award offices. By implementing robust termination procedures, institutions can mitigate potential financial losses and ensure compliance with contractual obligations. Presenters will also highlight the need for collaboration between research administrators, legal teams, and PI/Department administrators, CFO/Business and Finance to effectively navigate the complexities of early terminations and safeguard institutional interests.

Track: Pre/Post Award; Compliance

Experience Level: Senior/Leadership

 

S6: Executive Orders: The Status of Legal Challenges to Them and Associated Topics

Presenters:

Robert Cohen, Attain Partners

Kristine Parker, Attain Partners

Gil Tran, Attain Partners

*The session will cover the latest Executive Orders, Federal Agency announcements, Federal rule changes, Agency budget changes, Federal indirect cost changes and other related topics such as the new Letter of Credit requirements and appeal of terminated grants.  

Track: Pre/Post Award; Compliance

Experience Level: All Levels

 

S7: Sponsored Audits: How to Stay Ready so You Don't Have to Get Ready

Presenters:

Amanda Whittington, Appalachian State University

Tammie Gelderman, Appalachian State University

*Navigating through an audit can be an intimidating and confusing process. In this energizing discussion, we will clarify the purpose of an audit, define what to expect during the process, create strategies for how to be best prepared, and develop action plans on how to respond to any potential findings.

Track: Post Award; Compliance

Experience Level: All Levels

 

S8: Linking Management Reports with Compliance Review: How Are They Connected?

Presenters:

Joseph Moore, East Carolina University

Karen Mizelle, East Carolina University

*Do you have management reports at your institution? What do you do with those reports? Management reports of financial data can provide you with a snapshot on how your college or institution is staying compliant with regulations and potential audit findings. In this session we will share how your Management Reports can be used to monitor compliance with federal and sponsor regulations. This builds on last year’s session on Raising the Flags: Using Monthly Management Reports to Identify Expenses Needing Additional Review.

Track: Post Award; Compliance

Experience Level: Intermediate

 

S9: From Submission to Success: Evaluation Advantage for Competitive Proposals

Presenters:

Jade Hollars, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Mary McKinley, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

*The most impactful project is one that integrates evaluation into every stage. Many funding opportunities require teams to outline their approach for monitoring progress and measuring impact. Detailing an evaluation plan within your proposal can demonstrate your commitment both to accountability and quality improvement. Participants will learn the benefits of using tested evaluation frameworks to ground their planning and the basics of how to select a framework. We will practice building logic models by completing exercises to map activities with outcomes. Lastly, participants will review real-world examples of how planned data and learning can be integrated holistically within funding proposals to bolster and support all study aims. The presentation will provide concrete skills about evaluation planning research administrators can use to address common funder requirements, and an in-depth understanding of the local expertise and resources available to support your applications and projects.

Track: Pre/Post Award

Experience Level: Basic; Intermediate

 

S10: Filling the Gaps: North Carolina Foundations/Nonprofits Funding Panel

Presenters:

Pending Confirmation

*The goal of the panel is to provide information and insights into North Carolina foundation priorities to better connect faculty and staff whose research aligns with those priorities, and to discuss the role of foundations in the current research and community programming landscape. The panel includes representatives from the Golden Leaf Foundation, the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, the Burroughs-Wellcome Fund, NCInnovation, and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.

Track: Pre-Award

Experience Level: All Levels

 

S11: Innovative Data Management Opportunities for Research Projects and Administration

Presenters:

Michelle Song, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Marlena Kuhn, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Bernard Coles, IV, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

*This session introduces research practitioners and partners to network science methods and automated data workflows for research administration. Learn how these advanced approaches can enhance your capabilities to report and document project activities, provide deeper insights into research collaborations within your organization and beyond, and drive better decision-making. Participants will gain practical understanding of network science and its applications, strategies to identify hidden patterns and relationships within research groups, tools to visualize complex information systems, methods to measure research influence, and frameworks for implementing data solutions.

Track: Post Award

Experience Level: All Levels

 

S12: Who are YOU as a Research Administrator?

Presenters:

Jennifer Szescula, Wake Forest University

Ellen Brearley, Tufts Medicine

*There was no way to plan on how to be a Research Administrator (until very recently). And most professional development usually contains practical matters focused on the day-to-day needs of the job. Though you may have fallen into research administration, it is up to you to now decide how you want to proceed. This session will help you find your skills, strengths, and interests within the array of options in our field. Remind yourself of the parts of research administration that you love and leave with the next steps for what you want to do (and do not want to do) in your career.

Track: Professional Development

Experience Level: All Levels

 

S13: No More Spreadsheets: Discovering a Better Way to Track Cost Share

Presenters:

Karen Mizelle, East Carolina University

Becky Welch, East Carolina University

*Through trial and error and a few derailed attempts we have found a solution that is both acceptable to our state and universities policies and provides real time tracking for sponsored projects with cost share commitments.  This session will present the importance of cost share tracking and share our journey of finding the process that works for us as well as sharing the other processes that may work for other agencies.

Track: Post Award

Experience Level: Basic; Intermediate

 

S14: Bridging Expertise: The RD & RA Partnership Behind the PREPARE Program

Presenter:

Karen Fletcher, Appalachian State University

Lauren Duncan, Appalachian State University

*The PREParation for Appalachian Research Experiences (PREPARE) is a customized research mentoring program for research grant-interested junior faculty at Appalachian State University.  Each cohort is introduced to a mentor network which assists individuals with establishing a realistic research agenda, improving grantsmanship skills, seeking appropriate external funding sources, and promoting compliance with internal and external protocols in an effort to increase successful grant submissions. Appalachian State University Research Development and Sponsored Programs personnel collaborate each year to deliver this program, supporting faculty who have received $1,189,847 in external funding between 2017 - and 2024.

Track: Pre-Award

Experience Level: All Levels

 

S15: UNC System Sponsored Programs Updates and Discussion

Presenter:

Valerie Crickard, University of North Carolina System Office

*The session will provide updates for UNC System employees only.  There will be ample time allowed for discussion or raising concerns which may need to be addressed.

Track: Pre/Post Award; Compliance

Experience Level: All Levels

 

S16: FUNdamentals of Cost Accounting

Presenters:

Alison Krauss, Huron Consulting Group

Panda Powell, Appalachian State University

*Let’s face it—cost accounting isn’t usually the life of the party. But in this session, we’re bringing fun to the fundamentals! Designed for research administrators at all experience levels, this session will break down allowable costs, unallowable pitfalls, and the core cost accounting standards that keep university research on the rails. Whether you're deciphering direct vs. indirect costs or wrestling with federal regulations, we’ll translate the technical into the practical—with a smile. Come for the compliance, stay for the clarity (and maybe even a laugh or two)!

Track: Post Award

Experience Level: Basic

 

S17: Getting Started with DOD Funding

Presenter:

Julia Barzyk, Wise Investigator, LLC

*In this session, Dr. Julia Barzyk will present an overview of DOD basic research funding. Topics include why faculty may want to consider DOD funding for their research, how the DOD investment approach differs from that of many other funding organizations, and how to connect with people at DOD. An overview of DOD funding organizations and programs will be provided. Dr. Barzyk brings 10 years’ experience at the U.S. Army Research Office, where she served as a program manager.

Track: Pre-Award

Experience Level: All Levels

 

S18: New Research Administrator: How to Prepare for a Post Award Career

Presenters:

Betty Morgan, North Carolina State University

Lorrie Robbins, Duke University

*Are you new to Research Administration?  Are you looking to grow your career in the post award arena?  Come join us as we discuss your first steps into the wonderful world of research administration and explore the many journeys you can explore along the way!

Track: Post Award; Professional Development

Experience Level: All Levels

 

S19: Love ‘em and Hate ‘em: Budget Template Overhauls

Presenters:

Lauren Duncan, Appalachian State University

Ashleigh Jackson, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

*Budgets - we all make them, review them, follow them, and shake our fists at them. Grant budgets span all research stakeholders, so how do you build a budget tool that meets the needs of your stakeholders? Through the example of budget template overhaul projects, we’ll discuss strategies for creating effective budget templates, building collaborative teams, and managing change and implementation at your institution. This session will emphasize the importance of communication and developing successful approaches that integrate pre- and post-award needs into more robust and effective tools, such as budgetary templates.

Track: Pre/Post Award; Professional Development

Experience Level: Intermediate; Advanced; Senior/Leadership

 

S20: Embedding Innovation in Academic Culture: The Strategic Role of Research Administrators

Presenter:

David Wyrick, NCInnovation

Louis Judge, NCInnovation

*Innovation is essential to the mission of higher education—but institutional systems don’t always reflect this priority. This session explores how colleges and universities across North Carolina can more fully embed innovation into their academic cultures, aligning scholarship with public impact, entrepreneurship, and cross-sector collaboration. Participants will learn how national policy movements and state-level efforts—such as the PTIE initiative and NCInnovation’s faculty support programs—are redefining how innovation is supported, documented, and celebrated. With their deep understanding of institutional structures and faculty workflows, research administrators are uniquely positioned to drive this shift. Attendees will leave with concrete strategies to foster an innovation-ready environment—one that encourages experimentation, strengthens industry and community partnerships, and expands the definition of scholarly excellence.

Track: Pre/Post Award; Compliance; Technology; Professional Development

Experience Level: Intermediate; Advanced; Senior/Leadership

 

S21: Effort Reporting Essentials: Compliance, Challenges & Best Practices

Presenter:

Denise Wynn, Wynn Essentials, LLC

*This session provides a comprehensive exploration of effort reporting, a critical component of post-award financial compliance in sponsored research. Attendees will gain a solid understanding of effort concepts, reporting requirements under federal regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance), and practical strategies for institutional compliance. Real-world examples and case studies will be used to highlight common pitfalls and effective solutions.

Track: Post Award                                                   

Experience Level: All Levels

 

S22: Pre-Award Workflow Management through Airtable: A Tale of Two Colleges

Presenters:

Connor Dorsch, North Carolina State University

Christine Epps, North Carolina State University

*Managing the Pre-Award phase of the research cycle involves navigating a complex web of tasks, stakeholders, and deadlines.  Effective communication, time management, data analytics, and adaptability are all critical aspects of Pre-Award Research Administration that many traditional project management tools fail to deliver.  This presentation explores the implementation of Airtable, a low code, dynamic web-based tool and how it can create a customizable team specific solution in a Pre-Award Research Administration setting.  We will demonstrate how Airtable's customizations, automation capabilities, and intuitive features can be leveraged to track proposal development, manage deadlines, improve communication with Principal Investigators, increase transparency, and provide insight to your team's workload.  Attendees will gain knowledge on building or adapting an Airtable solution that supports compliance, enhances efficiency, and reduces the administrative workload. Hear the real-world examples and lessons learned from adoption and the best practices and potential pitfalls as you look to implement your own Pre-Award Airtable solution!

Track: Pre-Award; Technology                          

Experience Level: All Levels

 

S23: Navigating the NIH RPPR: Compliance, Pitfalls, and Best Practices

Presenters:

Megan Gallegos, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Ashleigh Jackson, University of North Caolina, Chapel Hill

Karmyn Eyles, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

*This session will provide a practical overview of the NIH R01 Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR), with a focus on key compliance areas and common challenges. We’ll walk through critical RPPR components including, but not limited to, effort reporting, unobligated balances, human subject research, Other Support, eRA Commons profile setup, and publications. Attendees will learn to recognize common pitfalls that can lead to delays or noncompliance, explore strategies for resolving these issues collaboratively with faculty and central offices, and leave with actionable best practices to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant RPPR submissions.

Track: Post Award; Compliance                      

Experience Level: Basic

 

S24: Research Development in the Fine Arts & Humanities: A Mixed-Methods Study

Presenters:

Mariah Marsden, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Ashley Melzer, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Boyie Kim, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Sara Katz, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

*This will be a presentation of the quantitative and qualitative data collected as part of the ongoing research project by Arts & Humanities Grant Studio at UNC-Chapel Hill. Our mixed-methods study explores the unique grantsmanship needs and challenges of Fine Arts & Humanities (FAHM) faculty and grant-seekers at a STEM-heavy R1 institution like UNC-Chapel Hill. As part of our project, earlier this year the Studio conducted a division-wide survey of FAHM faculty and follow-up focus groups across all faculty ranks. This presentation will cover our early findings as we continue to analyze and synthesize our data. We hope to share this data across institutions with other research administrators and research development professionals in order to identify and make the case for effective support strategies for FAHM faculty. This research is supported by a NORD/InfoReady Grant through the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP).

Track: Pre/Post Award                                           

Experience Level: Basic

 

S25: IRB and IACUC 101: Foundations of Ethical Oversight

Presenters:

Purshotam Aruwani, Huron Consulting Group

Mallory Ball, Western Carolina University

*New to IRB or IACUC oversight? Or maybe just need a refresher? This session breaks down the foundational principles of ethical research oversight with humans and animals, demystifying key regulations, protocols, and committee processes. Whether you’re at a large R1 institution or a small regional university, this session will help you understand how IRB and IACUC processes work together, how regulation informs your institution's approach to IRB and IACUC review, and how these review processes can impact workflows and processes. Designed for research administrators at any career stage, this 101-level session will leave you feeling more confident in navigating ethical review processes, no matter what your campus structure.

Track: Pre/Post Award; Compliance
Experience Level: Basic; Intermediate