Volunteer Research Administrators

1. Volunteer Research Administrators Expert Portal A LEADMe Project Mentees: Cece Manoochehriand Heather Kubinec Mentor: Joyce Freedman

2. 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

3. 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

4. Target Market • Foundations, small nonprofits, community colleges, other institutions of higher educations that conduct research or administer research funding

5. 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.

6. Structure • Website to support clients • Searchable FAQ section • Ask-the-expert area where volunteers answer posted questions • 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

8. Next Steps • Survey to NCURA members regarding their interest in serving as a volunteer • Survey to Prospective Clients

9. NCURA Member Survey • 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) • Pre-award ____ • Post award ____ • Compliance ____ • Departmental ____ • Other ___________ • 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____ • Would you be willing to answer questions on a website or a blog? Yes___ No___ • 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 __________________________________

10. Institution Survey • Does your institution administer projects for its faculty or professional staff that are funding with outside grants or contracts? Yes ____ No ____ • Does your institution 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 __________________________________