These workshops will help supervisors and administrators to navigate the fundamentals of research administration at the University of Pittsburgh.
Advanced SPAR – Cost Sharing
Who Should Attend: This workshop is mandatory for employees whose SPAR responsibilities include administration of sponsored research projects
This workshop provides in-depth discussions of the theory and mechanics of cost sharing on sponsored research projects and related SPAR entry. Participants will learn about cost sharing terms and codes, mandatory cost sharing and, voluntary cost sharing including hands-on examples of cost sharing scenarios. Facilitators will review the resources available on the Financial Compliance for Research website. For dates and registration information, please visit the Financial Compliance for Research website at www.controller.pitt.edu/financial-compliance-for-research/workshops-registration.
Note: Basics of Effort Reporting and SPAR Introduction are pre-requisites for this workshop.
Basics of Effort Reporting
Who Should Attend: This workshop is mandatory for staff whose responsibilities include administration of sponsored research projects
This workshop is designed to help participants develop an understanding of effort reporting requirements for federally sponsored research as mandated by the Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and supported by the University’s Effort Reporting policy. Facilitators will explain the federal requirements and the key points to the University’s effort reporting policy. Sample effort situations will be presented and effort frequently asked questions will be answered. To register for this workshop, please go to the Financial Compliance for Research Web site at www.controller.pitt.edu/financial-compliance-for-research/workshops-registration.
Basics of Federal Contract Administration
Presenters: Abbey McSwigan, Senior Federal Contracts Officer
Kelly Elias, Federal Contracts Officer
Office of Sponsored Programs
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023
Time: 1-2:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Who Should Attend: Faculty and staff who support federal research funding activities and staff charged with research administration support and related activities
This workshop offers a basic overview of the federal contract process. Content includes a submission process overview, an overview of key issues, financial stewardship requirements, an overview of compliance issues unique to federal contracts, and an overview of the closeout process. Participants will learn the difference between federal funding mechanisms with a focus on applying for and managing federal research contracts, and will become familiar with key areas of risk related to these agreements.
Clinical and Corporate Contract Basics
Presenters: Sarah Weissman, Associate Director for Clinical and Corporate Contracts
Michelle Markowitz, Clinical & Corporate Contracts Office
Office of Sponsored Programs
Date: Friday, November 10, 2023
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual
Who Should Attend: New research administrators and/or new faculty, or those who would like a refresher on the types of matters and submission requirements for the Clinical and Corporate Contracts team at the Office of Sponsored Programs
This workshop offers a description of the types of agreements processed by the Clinical and Corporate Contracts team, common reasons for contract delay, most commonly negotiated contract provisions, and strategies to avoid protracted contracting processes. Specific contracts discussed include: Material Transfer Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Data Use Agreements, Collaboration Agreements, Corporate Research Agreements, Clinical Trial Agreements, and industry subcontracts. Participants will leave this workshop with an understanding of the work specific to the Clinical and Corporate Contract team, the distinction between various agreements, and necessary processes to initiate a contract review.
Electronic Certification of Effort (ECRT): Effort Coordinator Responsibilities
Who Should Attend: This workshop is mandatory for staff whose responsibilities include managing effort certification by research faculty
Note: Basics of Effort Reporting is a pre-requisite for this workshop
This workshop will help participants understand the responsibilities of an Effort Coordinator and to navigate the Effort Certification and Reporting Tool (ECRT). Facilitators will provide an overview of effort reporting requirements, schedules, ECRT application, principal investigator responsibilities, and other topics. Hands-on exercises will be used to learn application navigation and certification processes. Facilitators will review the resources available on the Financial Compliance for Research website. For dates and registration information, please visit the Financial Compliance for Research website.
Gifts That Support Projects Policy Review
Presenter: Laura Kingsley, Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
Andrew Falk, Executive Director, PAE - Corporate and Foundation Relations
Date: Friday, December 1, 2023
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual
Who Should Attend: Faculty, department research administrators, and staff who support faculty receiving funding support from various sources, including gifts for research projects.
The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) presents this session to review the new University of Pittsburgh Policy AO 46 Gifts that Support Projects, which became effective on March 21, 2022. This session covers background on the policy, reviews related processes for working with CFR and OSP, and provides helpful resources for faculty and staff.
Introduction to Fee-for-Service in the Office of Sponsored Programs
Presenter: Laura Kingsley, Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
Date: Thursday, December 14, 2023
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual
Who Should Attend: Department administrators, staff, and faculty who may be interested in fee-for-service work.
The Office of Sponsored Programs has recently expanded its services to include a Fee-For-Service Team. Fee-for-service work is client-initiated and can be provided to external for-profit as well as not-for-profit clients for the benefit of the private and public sectors. This workshop will focus on what constitutes fee-for-service work, how it is different from traditional sponsored projects, and provide resources and tips for those who are interested in participating in fee-for service work.
Introduction to Grants Management Services in the Office of Sponsored Programs
Presenters: Zack Byrnes, Associate Director for Grants Management and Contracting
Celeste Flaherty-Thomas, Assistant Director for Grants Management
Office of Sponsored Programs
Date: Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Time: 1-2:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Who Should Attend: Research administrators who are new to the field, or who are familiar with research administration but new to the University; faculty members who are interested in learning more about sponsored research processes at the University.
This workshop is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of institutional pre-award processes, requirements, and systems relative to grants. The facilitator will provide an overview of roles and functions of the Grants Management Services Team and the services they provide related to submitting proposals to and receiving awards from government and non-profit funders of externally-sponsored research. Participants will also learn how required documents and submission methods vary based on multiple factors.
Introduction to MyRA for Non-Financial Agreements
Presenters: Amanda Veiga, Assistant Director for Clinical and Corporate Contracts
Tyler Prevade, Clinical and Corporate Contracts Officer
Office of Sponsored Programs
Date: Friday, November 17, 2023
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual
Who Should Attend: Research administrators who are new to the field, new to the University, or who would like to learn more about how to submit non-financial agreements (MTAs, DUAs, NDAs) in the University’s MyRA system; faculty members whose work involves the need for MTAs, DUAs, or NDAs and would like to learn more about the internal system through which these agreements are recorded at the University.
This workshop is designed to provide a basic understanding of the University’s process for initiating review of non-financial agreements in the MyRA system. Content will include a demonstration of the MyRA submission process for MTAs and DUAs, an overview of when to submit a non-financial agreement, and an overview of the MyRA process from beginning to end for an agreement. Participants will learn how to answer the questions in the MyRA submission, what information must be provided to initiate OSP review, and receive an overview of the non-financial agreement process.
Introduction to the Office of Sponsored Programs
Presenters: Laura Kingsley, Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
Date: Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual
Who Should Attend: Departmental research administrators who have been in their role for less than one year
This two-hour workshop aims to introduce participants to OSP by providing information on who we are, what we do, and tips and recommendations for working most efficiently and effectively with OSP. By the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:
- Identify the main OSP functions
- Distinguish between the roles and responsibilities of OSP and departmental research administrators
- List and locate resources available to research administrators
Introduction to Subaward Administration
Presenters: Zack Byrnes, Associate Director for Grants Management and Contract
Carol Chatman, Subaward Officer
Tina Magness, Subaward Analyst
Office of Sponsored Programs
Date: Monday, November 20, 2023
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual
Who Should Attend: Current and new research administrators who are responsible for requesting outgoing subawards to the Office of Sponsored Programs and those involved in subaward management.
This workshop offers a basic overview of the process for issuing outgoing subawards under grants and non-profit agreements. Content includes a submission process overview, key issue highlights, types of agreements issued, roles and functions of the Grants Management Subaward Team, and significant compliance questions. Participants will receive an introduction to the Contraxx system and leave with a working understanding of the full subaward lifecycle.
Introduction to PERIS™ MyFunding – Awards
Presenter: Eric Larson, Electronic Research and Systems Administrator
Office of Sponsored Programs
Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Time: 1-2:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Who Should Attend: Current and new research administrators who are responsible for the processing of awards received by federal, philanthropic, and corporate sponsors who would benefit from a more hands-on tutorial of the Award module in the PERIS™ portal.
The MyFunding Award Module is a component of the PERIS™ portal, which is a University-wide electronic research management solution. This introductory course will prepare potential users to become more familiar with this module and its capabilities.
Introduction to PERIS™ MyFunding – Proposals
Presenter: Eric Larson, Electronic Research & Support Administrator
Office of Sponsored Programs
Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual
Who Should Attend: Research Administrators involved in the proposal submission process, as well as faculty who would like a hands-on tutorial of MyFunding.
This introductory workshop is designed to help participants become more familiar with the MyFunding module and its capabilities. The MyFunding module is a component of the PERIS™ portal, a new University-wide electronic research management solution. Participants will learn how MyFunding allows administrators and faculty to prepare, route, and submit proposals electronically to federal, nonprofit/philanthropic, and corporate sponsors.
From Application to Submission: An Overview of Research Development and Funding Resources at Pitt
Presenter: Tobias Rodriguez, Assistant Director for Research Development
Office of Sponsored Programs
Date: Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Time: 2-3:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Who Should Attend: Faculty and staff interested in identifying, applying for, and advancing their research and scholarship careers at the university
This workshop is designed for faculty and staff interested in advancing their research and scholarship, whether early in career, experienced, or want to be more familiar with supportive resources on campus. The program includes an overview of the funding and Research Development resources and services available at the University. Specific topics include external and internal funding opportunities, limited submissions grants and awards, and tools available to faculty regardless of where they are in their research and scholarship lifecycle.
SPAR Introduction
Who Should Attend: This workshop is mandatory for all users of the Salaried Personnel Activity Report (SPAR) system. Users whose responsibilities include sponsored projects should also attend the Advanced SPAR-Cost Sharing Workshop.
This workshop is an introduction to the online SPAR including instruction on basic navigation and simple modifications. Topics covered will include system roles and responsibilities, basic system navigation, straight forward SPAR modifications, available queries and system availability. Facilitators will review the resources available on the Financial Compliance for Research website. For dates and registration information, please visit the Financial Compliance for Research Web site at www.controller.pitt.edu/financial-compliance-for-research/workshops-registration.