Volunteer Research Administrators

Expert Portal

A LEADMe Project

Mentees: Cece Manoochehri and Heather Kubinec Mentor: Joyce Freedman

Concept

 Create an all-volunteer organization of Research Administrators  Comprised of Western Region NCURA members  To Provide knowledge and expertise to organizations in California and throughout the western NCURA region states

Goals

  To provide resources and expertise that will enable organizations to become successful grantees with the ability to traverse the complex issues regarding sponsored research To implement a new program that will provide a new professional effort to make a positive difference in some aspect(s) of research administrators’ work

Target Market

 Foundations, small nonprofits, community colleges, other institutions of higher educations that conduct research or administer research funding

Value

 These organizations often operate on limited budgets and are likely unable to afford to hire paid consultants when necessary.  They would welcome the skills and knowledge that a volunteer research administrator would provide.

Structure

  Website to support clients o Searchable FAQ section o Ask-the-expert area where volunteers answer posted questions o Customers are able to search for research administrators to consult with by expertise, experience, etc.

Experts to provide service both electronically and/or in-person

Next Steps

 Survey to NCURA members regarding their interest in serving as a volunteer  Survey to Prospective Clients

NCURA Member Survey

1.

2.

3.

Are you retired or thinking about retiring? Yes ______ No______ If thinking about retiring what is the estimated year: ____________ How many years have you been in research administration? _______ What is your field of expertise? (please mark all that apply) a.

Pre-award ____ b.

c.

d.

e.

Post award Compliance Departmental ____ ___ ____ Other ___________ 4.

5.

Would you be willing to volunteer your time? Yes ____ No ______ Would you travel to an institution that required an overnight stay assuming that your travel expenses would be reimbursed? Yes_____ No______ 6.

Would you be willing to answer questions on a website or a blog? Yes___ No_____ 7.

Are you interested in learning more about this project? Yes ___ No ____ If yes, please provide your contact information below: Name of Organization _________________________________________________ Name of Contact _______________________________________________________ Email and/or telephone number of Contact __________________________

Institution Survey Questions

       Does your institution administer projects for its faculty or professional staff that are funding with outside grants or contracts? Yes_______ No_______ Does your institutions provide funding for college, universities or other organization that conduct and administer research projects? Yes _____ No_____ Is your institution or office dealing with budget cuts and do you want to streamline your research administration processes without effecting productivity? Yes _____ No______ Is your institution interested in a review of your research administrative procedures and/or policies? Yes____ No_____ Is your institution interested in starting a research administration program but don’t know how to start one? Yes_______ No__________ Do you have specific issues or questions regarding policies and/or procedures in research administration that you would like answered? Yes___ No___  If yes, would you go to a website and ask an expert for answers through the site? Yes___ No____  If yes, would you like to have a visit from a NCURA professional? Yes__ No ___ If the answer to any of the above questions is “yes”, may we contact you to provide more information about our Volunteer Expert Program? If yes, please provide contact information below: Name of Organization _________________________________________________ Name of Contact _______________________________________________________ Email and/or telephone number of Contact __________________________