S.P.A.C.E. Training

The Office for Research provides services across Rutgers to support the faculty’s research and strategically leads the university's economic development activities. This module will provide an overview of Rutgers Research and the role each unit plays in providing services to the University community.

This half-day (4 hour) module is mandatory for all participants enrolled in the course.

The first hour will offer an overview of the Office for Research and the role of each unit in providing services to the university research administration community. The Research and Sponsored Programs team will then provide a summary of proposal basics, budget preparation, compliance, negotiation, and non-financial requirements. Also covered in this segment will be an overview of corporate sponsored awards support; specifically, corporate research contract review, negotiation and lifecycle management support provided by the Research Contract Services team. The Research Financial Services team will then provide an overview of central financial accounting functions and post-award administration support services for the university’s sponsored programs and other restricted funds, including the coordination of effort certification processes. This segment will also include a brief overview of project reconciliations, award specifics, closeouts, effort certification, and cost transfers.

Instructors:

• Diane Ambrose, Executive Director, Research and Sponsored Programs;
• Chrissa Papaioannou, Associate Director, Research and Sponsored Programs;
• Nicole Nicholas, Grants Manager, Research and Sponsored Programs;
• Melissa Matsil, Executive Director, Research Contract Services;
• Lamar Oglesby, Executive Director, Research Financial Services

Instructor(s):

• Chrissa Papaioannou, Associate Director, Research and Sponsored Programs;
• Nicole Nicolas, Grants Manager, Research and Sponsored Programs 

Research and Sponsored Programs provides a range of services to faculty and staff seeking funding from public and private not-for-profit sponsors. This module will offer a baseline of knowledge needed to understand the grant submission process, award set-up process, and the various components of grant administration including proposal basics, compliance, negotiation, and non-financial requirements. 

Instructor(s):

• Anna Dampf, Assistant Director, Research Financial Services

This instructor-led 3 hr module is offered to assist newly hired employees, existing employees assuming a new role, or those serving in any other entry-level research administration capacity with applying best practices in the post-award administration of grants and contracts and demonstrating successful grant administration in accordance with RFS requirements.

Instructor(s):

• Melissa Matsil, JD, Executive Director, Research Contract Services

The first half of this module will provide an overview of corporate-sponsored awards support, specifically corporate research contract review, negotiation, and lifecycle management support provided by Research Contract Services. The second half will serve as a platform to discuss clinical contract management, the support functions of Research Contract Services, the importance of clinical contracts in sponsored research, and the clinical trial contracting lifecycle, to include any applicable IRB fees.

Instructor(s):

• Chrissa Papaioannou, Associate Director, Research and Sponsored Programs;
• Nicole Nicolas, Grants Manager, Research and Sponsored Programs 

Research and Sponsored Programs provides a range of services to faculty and staff seeking funding from public and private not-for-profit sponsors. This module will offer a baseline of knowledge needed to understand the grant submission process, award set-up process, and the various components of grant administration including proposal basics, compliance, negotiation, and non-financial requirements. 

Instructor(s): 

• Chrissa Papaioannou, Associate Director, Research and Sponsored Programs;
• Nicole Nicholas, Grants Manager, Research and Sponsored Programs 

Research and Sponsored Programs is responsible for approving the budget(s) for all proposals to non-corporate, external sponsors and is responsible for ensuring that award budgets are appropriate. Budget development should be detailed, realistic, and comprehensive to ensure that all costs of the project have been included. This module will serve as a platform to discuss the importance of a complete and detailed budget and the various components that impact the budget. These components include, but are not limited to fringe benefits, facilities and administrative (F&A) costs, cost-sharing, and budget justifications. Best practices for budgeting and forecasting will also be discussed. 

Instructor(s):

• Anna Dampf, Assistant Director, Research Financial Services

This instructor-led 3 hr module is offered to assist managers, administrators, and those serving in any supervisory level research administration position with understanding the importance of effective monitoring and managing of grants and contracts in accordance with University policy and the Uniform Guidance. This module will also provide the necessary tools required to allow for successful grant administration in accordance with RFS requirements.

Instructor(s):

• Nazam Mohammed, Assistant Director, Compliance, Research Financial Services

This module will focus on the Uniform Guidance (UG) administrative requirements and cost principles following the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines pertaining to federal grants and contracts. As it is the responsibility of the University to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, an understanding of the consequences surrounding the non-implementation of the UG will also be emphasized.

Instructor(s):

• Shazia Sheikh, Award Setup Supervisor, Research and Sponsored Programs

This module will provide a high-level overview of the Research Administration Proposal Submission System, otherwise known as RAPSS. RAPSS is the universitywide Proposal Submission and Award intake system for all new submissions to federal, state, and not-for-profit sponsors as well as corporate contracts and other associated items. During this module, we will discuss the overall advantages of utilizing the system, as well as reviewing roles and responsibilities, general workflow processes, systems integration, and award set up management.

Instructor(s):

• Angela Cartmell-McGlynn, Senior Research Project Manager, HRPP
• Andrea Dragan, Director Quality Assurance and Evaluation, HRPP
• Kelly Albanese, Manager, Compliance and Quality Control

This module will serve as a platform to discuss the university's research enterprise by ensuring the protection of individuals who participate in research; ensuring compliance with all pertinent federal and state laws and regulations; fostering the ethical conduct of human subjects research; providing education and other services to the university's researchers regarding regulatory requirements and best practices. Strong emphasis on IRB/CMR processes and procedures. 

Instructor(s):

• Robert Phillips,  Export Control Manager, Research Regulatory Affairs;
• Karen Gilbert, Compliance Administrator, Research Regulatory Affairs

This module will serve as a platform to discuss export control regulations and federal government laws that regulate the export of items, commodities, technology, software, or information to foreign countries, persons, companies, and/or entities. This includes foreign persons and entities that may have access to or handle commodities, software, or information at universities in the United States, also known as “deemed exports.” Rutgers’ policy is to maintain strict compliance with all federal export control regulations. Failure to comply with applicable export control regulations may result in denial of export privileges, imprisonment, fines, and/or other penalties by the federal government.

Instructor(s):

• Jeff Cavaluzzo, Assistant Director- Risk Management & Insurance
• Malusha Fobler, Compliance Officer, ERM-Risk Management, Ethics & Compliance;
• Jewell Battle, Ethics Training Officer & OPRA Management Administrator, ERM-Risk Management, Ethics & Compliance;
• Jenna P. Green, Privacy Coordinator

The first half of this module will serve as the platform to discuss the complex array of universitywide risk and insurance-related matters. The second half will discuss University Ethics and Compliance's role in supporting Rutgers by analyzing and mitigating organizational risks; providing support and education to help meet complex compliance requirements; promoting an environment focused on respect and integrity; and enhancing the operational, compliance, financial, strategic, and reputational goals of our Rutgers partners taking into account privacy, ethics and the Open Public Records Act (OPRA).

Instructor(s):

• Andrea Dick, Associate Director, Software & Copyright Licensing, Technology Transfer

This module will serve as a platform to introduce the role of Technology Transfer and its commitment to transitioning Rutgers researchers’ technologies and copyrighted materials from research to commercial viability. Technology Transfer is committed to streamlining the licensing process so that deals can be done in a timely manner. Key parties involved need to have open lines of communication so that mutual goals can be met.

Instructor(s): 

• Hila Berger, Assistant Vice President, Research Regulatory Affairs

Creating and communicating public trust in research is a vital component to successfully supporting research. The Rutgers research mission depends on each research administrator understanding the 1) research process, 2) the lifecycle of research and 3) what framework academia has in place to protect the integrity of the research. It is ok that many of us might struggle at times to explain the specific scientific methods to our community, family, and friends. However, we should be able to find approaches to explaining the integrity of the process and why the results can be trusted.

Instructor(s): 

• Hila Berger, Assistant Vice President, Research Regulatory Affairs and guest

In this session, developing trainees and seasoned researchers will benefit from exploring data analysis and security methods. Attendees will be asked to complete an asynchronous training in KnowBe4 prior to attendance at this session. Speakers will provide attendees with the framework and tools for data handling and management at Rutgers University.

Instructor(s): 

• Hila Berger, Assistant Vice President, Research Regulatory Affairs;
• Andrea Dragan, Director Quality Assurance and Evaluation, HRPP;
• Melissa Ercolane
• Caitlyn Kelly

Establishing safe and inclusive research spaces is fundamental for the safety and security of the researchers. A research workplace free from all forms of harassment, discrimination, or violence is the only acceptable path to empowering researchers and the community. This session will explore how we work toward preventing all forms of harassment and bullying and serve as stewards of inclusive practices.