Canvas course name: Mandatory sponsored project and effort reporting training for principal investigators

The offices of the Vice President for Research and Innovation and the Vice President for Finance and Budget, with the support of VCU’s senior administration, have updated mandatory training programs in sponsored project compliance and effort certification to increase awareness and accountability and to reduce risk to the university. The inaugural training program began in 2012. New regulations and requirements are addressed in the updated training, which was released in 2016.

All principal investigators are required to complete this training program. Co-investigators are encouraged to complete the program as well. The training program is available on Canvas and should take approximately one hour to complete.

Canvas course self-enroll options:

1) Click on the following self-enroll invitation link: PI training self-enroll invitation link, or

2) Email Cathy Short (Training Manager, DSP/G&C, cfshort@vcu.edu) to receive a self-enroll link, or

3) Navigate to courses from your Canvas dashboard. Select “All Courses” and “Browse More Courses”. Search on the course name. Click “Join this Course” and then “Enroll in Course”.

VCU has an obligation to preserve public trust in the integrity and quality of its sponsored projects. Ensuring that our faculty and staff are aware of and comply with federal regulations and university policies strengthens that trust. We appreciate your willingness to participate in this program.

If you have any questions regarding this course, please contact Cathy Short (Training manager, DSP / G&C (cfshort@vcu.edu).

Fundamentals of research administration e-learning

Program description

Fundamentals of research administration, a self-paced e-learning curriculum, provides an overview of key topics in sponsored projects management. The content is aimed towards individuals new to research administration or experienced individuals seeking a refresher on fundamental subject areas. Each unit focuses on a primary aspect of sponsored project administration. Learners will review content in an interactive e-learning format and complete activities and assessment questions throughout each unit.

• Unit 1: VCU organization for research
• Unit 2: Introduction to pre-award
• Unit 3: Introduction to compliance
• Unit 4: Introduction to federal regulations
• Unit 5: Introduction to award processing
• Unit 6: Introduction to post award
• Unit 7: Introduction to clinical trials

This opportunity is available in Talent@VCU and Canvas

Talent@VCU enrollment instructions:

1. Log in to Talent@VCU.
2. Go to the Learning menu, then Learning search.
3. Enter the course name in the search, “Fundamentals of research administration”.
4. Follow the prompts to request and launch the course curriculum.

Canvas enrollment instructions:

1. Click on the following self-enroll invitation link: Fundamentals Canvas course self-enroll link, or
2. Email Cathy Short (Training manager, DSP/G&C) to receive a self-enroll link, or
3. Navigate to courses from your Canvas dashboard. Select “All courses” and “Browse more courses”. Search on the course name. Click “Join this course” and then “Enroll in course”.

Digital badge

After course completion, you will be eligible to receive a digital badge. This digital badge shows others that you can apply knowledge of the lifecycle of a sponsored project to the grants management portfolio(s) of your unit. Those who complete the Fundamentals of Research Administration e-learning course will receive an email notification with more information to claim their digital badge. See the section below on Digital Badges to learn more about digital badging in general at VCU.

Please contact Cathy Short, training manager, DSP/G&C, with any questions.

The offices of the Vice President for Research and Innovation and the Vice President for Finance and Budget have jointly sponsored the Sponsored Projects Administration Certification Program continuously since 2004/2005. The program, usually offered annually, has certified approximately 445 research administrators. The curriculum has grown to five modules and 27 units and, as a result, the time is right for an overhaul and recalibration.

Phase 1: Fundamentals of research administration e-learning (complete)

Phase 2: Sponsored projects administration focus modules

Phase 2 of the certification program restructure is currently in development and updates will be communicated when available. Phase 2 will include a picklist style curriculum offering learners the flexibility to explore self-selected topics in more depth based on job roles, career development, and interests. The modality will be hybrid (online learning combined with the opportunity to attend instructor-led live sessions).

Please contact Cathy Short (cfshort@vcu.edu), training manager, G&C/Division of Sponsored Programs, with any questions.

Digital badges are available for select training programs and professional development activities. Learn more about digital badging at VCU from the Office of Continuing and Professional Development and view our current offerings in the Research badge collection.

Grants and contracts accounting (post award basics training) – This instructor led training is offered several times a year and is designed for employees with less than one year of experience working with sponsored programs. The session provides those who are new to research administration an overview of grants and contracts policies and procedures and commonly used Banner forms. Completion of the Banner Basic Navigation on-line course in Talent@VCU is recommended prior to attending this training. Register for upcoming post award basics training sessions via Talent@VCU.

Effort reporting 101: Effort coordinator training – This Canvas course provides an overview of Effort reporting and the ECC system and is open to all. It is a requirement for research administrators requesting primary or secondary access to the Effort Reporting system (ECC). Refer to Effort reporting training for course enrollment instructions.

Effort reporting (advanced) – This training is designed for effort coordinators with more than one year of experience working with effort and/or ECC. The session provides a more detailed view of effort reporting, ECC and compliance. Register via Talent@VCU.

Getting started in research administration guide
This guide summarizes the many training opportunities and online resources offered by Sponsored Programs and Grants and Contracts Accounting. It is designed to acclimate those new to research administration and provides course descriptions, as well as registration instructions.

NCURA (National Council of University Research Administrators) webinar archive:

If you missed one of our NCURA unlimited login webinar purchases or would like to revisit a webinar when training new colleagues, many of the webinars are housed in the VCU Kaltura channel, NCURA webinar archive.

• VCU Kaltura channel - NCURA webinar archive

(Note: presentation slides and additional handouts for each webinar can be downloaded from attachments.)

Although this will offer convenience when revisiting or utilizing past recordings for training, it will still be necessary to access NCURA online education in order to generate a Continuing Education Certificate (CEU transcript).

Please contact Cathy Short (Training Manger, Sponsored Programs / G&C, cfshort@vcu.edu) with any questions regarding the NCURA webinar archive or for assistance with CEU transcripts.

NCURA (National Council of University Research Administrators) is a professional organization that offers excellent educational materials on various research administration topics designed to reach a broad audience.

NIH and the Office of Extramural Research have made podcasts available that feature conversations with NIH staff members. The podcasts are designed for investigators, fellows, students, research administrators and others. The podcasts vary in length (between 10-20 minutes) and relevant subject matter and are updated every other week.

Please visit the "All About Grants" podcast website to download episodes or to subscribe to this service.