Tales from three Start-up Sponsored Programs Offices Establishing a course without a map or crew

Session Objectives 1.Establishing your Office’s mission and objectives. 2.Evaluating your institution’s culture: assessing your position and resources. 3.Identifying fundable assets within your institution. 4.Looking outside: the external funding and regulatory climate. 5.Pre-Award Services: facilitating the proposal process. 6.Post-Award Services: providing quality service to your PIs. 7.Compliance: What are the priorities? 8.Resources 9.Is working at a start-up for you?

Setting the Context(s) Emerson College (Boston, MA) Small, non-denominational college Focuses on communication and the arts in a liberal arts context Sponsored Research & Programs established May, million Providence College (Providence, RI) Small selective, liberal arts college Catholic and Dominican identity Sponsored Research & Programs established June, million

Setting the Context(s) (cont’d) Regis University SMALL CATHOLIC JESUIT UNIVERSITY UNDERGADUATE AND GRADUATE LIBERAL ARTS, PHARMACY, NURSING, AND PHYSICAL THERAPY, SCHOOLS 1.8 MILLION

Working at a Start-Up?

Research Administration at a PUI: Kris’ take Internal Factors All the offices at my institution who I must work with The knowledge, skills and abilities I currently hold External Factors The stakeholders to the University, sponsors, regulations Breadth Need to have a breadth of understanding of all the facets of RA and many areas across the Institution Resources NCURA Mentoring Bridges and connections

Establishing your Office’s mission and objectives. What is the landscape of working in a start-up versus an established office? What internal and external factors must be considered in setting and achieving a vision for the new sponsored programs office? Without a map or dedicated crew, how do you make steady progress?

Evaluating your institution’s culture: Disparate views of sponsored programs make navigating a start-up office at a PUI interesting, yet challenging. Assess your position and resources. What are the established goals and parameters already set? What expectations do other’s have your position? At what point of readiness is your institution for sponsored research? For you?

Identifying your fundable assets: What are the strengths of the college/university? Do you have programs/centers of excellence? What are the strengths of the faculty? Level One: Who are your front-runners? Who are the experts? Level Two: Who’s interested in getting involved? What existing relationships may be helpful? Is your geographic location useful? Are the existing sponsor relationships good? Is there a prior history of funding or collaboration? Are there obvious partners? Are there less obvious relationships/collaborations that can be leveraged?

Looking outside: How will you be affected by the external funding and regulatory climate?  Declining funding availability.  Increasing regulatory requirements.  Business R&D and Sponsorships.

Establishing Infrastructure How do you promote a culture of research? Do you have financial management systems? Do you have required policies and procedures in place? Do you have adequate resources/support? Do you have information for a web presence? Do you have an IRB/IACUC? Do you have the skills and competencies to move things forward? Are you prepared to be a catalyst/facilitate change? Rarely would this tower be built the same way by the same person--- 

Compliance: What are the priorities? Establishing procedures and policies:  Garner Support  Educate faculty and staff of service/resources Determining priority to tackle:  Human Subjects Protection/IRB  IACUC  Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Promote an atmosphere of confidence  Free of fear

Pre-Award Services: Assisting with Proposal Development Assisting with Budget Facilitating Collaborations Funding Searches Training Facilitating relationships with funders Doing for PI Supporting and educating PI Leaving PI to his/her own devices

Leaving to his/her own devices Supportive, educative meeting where PI is at Doing for Post-Award Services: Negotiation of agreements Financial management Reporting/Billing Overhead distribution Stewarding sponsors Financial monitoring/compliance

Want to take on a start-up? Are you/Do you have/Can you get? Ability to handle high-degrees of stress Sustained, seemingly endless energy Flexibility Broad experience Tolerance & patience (of self and others) Ability to set boundaries (with self and others) Ability to laugh (at self and with others) Ability to seek help, guidance, and support through network

Resources NCURA Collaborate –PUI Community PUI National /Region I Mentoring Fundamentals of Sponsored Projects Administration SRA PRIM&R Nearby Colleagues Networks Don’t overlook finding trusting guides at your institution to embrace what will work given your institutional culture

Take home messages -- Figuring out the what, how, and when in a start-up is more of an art than a science Context, context, context-Be mindful of goals/mission of the institution You are not alone-utilize the resources available Work toward moving from a one-man-band to a chorus!

Contact Information Elizabeth Demski Associate Vice President of Research and Creative Scholarship Emerson College, Boston MA Kris Monahan Director, Sponsored Research & Programs Office of Academic Affairs Providence College, Providence RI Don Bridger Director, Office of Academic Grants, Office of Academic Affairs Regis University, Denver CO 303—