RAIN Research Administrators Instructional Network

Effective administration, with all its worrisome details, restrictions, and paperwork can be an important element in encouraging scholarly productivity, rather than simply a necessary procedural evil.
--Robert E. Burroughs, Director Research Administration UM 1968

RAIN instruction offers mastery of the processes, procedures, policies, and ethical considerations relevant to the administration of sponsored projects at the University of Michigan. RAIN provides research administrators with the necessary framework, concepts, tools, knowledge, and networking opportunities to support the research efforts in their departments more efficiently and proactively.

RAIN is now offered in a series of seven modules
Participants must have three to five years of involvement in the administrative aspects of sponsored projects
Must have completed prerequisites
A 24-person participant limit is set to encourage active learning and to maximize learner engagement and participation.
A fee of $150 will be charged to offset a portion of the expenses associated with the course.
Pre-class assignments will be made.

Applications are being accepted until September 19, 2008.

DRDA is pleased to announce the we are now accepting applications for the November 2008 session of the new Research Administrators Instructional Network (RAIN) Training Program. Please fill out this application form. The application form is in .doc format. It can be downloaded and filled out on the computer (the fields expand as you type.)

Submit it via email, or print the completed form and fax it or send it through campus mail to:
Marifelice Roulo, mroulo@umich.edu
DRDA Training Coordinator
1032 Wolverine Tower
3003 S. State St
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1274
734-763-5587
fax: 734-763-4053
mroulo@umich.edu

If you have any questions or have problems opening the application, please don't hesitate to contact Marifelice.

Dates for Fall 2008 RAIN

November 10, 2008,    8:00 am to 12:00 pm
November 13, 2008,    8:00 am to 12:00 pm
November 18, 2008,    1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
November 24, 2008,    1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
December   2, 2008,    8:00 am to 12:00 pm
December 11, 2008,    8:00 am to 12:00 pm
December 19, 2008,    8:00 am to 12:00 pm

The dates and times will be confirmed prior to the sessions in November.

Prerequisites

Introduction to Sponsored Projects Administration
Introduction to Budgets: Developing Grant Proposal Budgets
A-21 Expenditure Monitoring of Federally Sponsored Projects
Cost Accounting Standards Training
Financial Administration of Federally Sponsored Projects
Grants.gov: Electronic submission of Federal Grant Applications

The students are expected to bring to the course some experience in research administration, and willingness for active participation. The course will provide opportunities for meeting and working with administrators across campus.

RAIN is designed for individuals currently involved in some aspect of research administration at the University and who have three to five years of involvement in the administrative aspects of sponsored projects. There are prerequisite courses to meet before participating in RAIN.

How You Will Benefit

The course will provide you and your unit with:

Tools, techniques, templates and best practices for efficient research administration at the unit level;
Access to highly experienced instructors ready to address issues and share information and professional experiences;
Networking opportunities with peers, DRDA Project Representatives, and Financial Operations, Sponsored Programs Accountants;
Awareness of specific UM research related policies and procedures
Recognition of the crucial contribution of research administration professionionals to the overall success of the research enterprise at the University of Michigan.

Applying to RAIN

The class is limited to 24 participants. If demand exceeds space available, the RAIN Admissions Team will make the final selections. Selection criteria will include:

applicant's experience with sponsored projects
applicant's willingness to train others in his or her unit
representation of units across campus

Links for Other Courses

PEERRS Research Responsibility Education Program: online training and certification on responsibility in the conduct and administration of research

Workshops: Funding searches, proposal writing, and other sponsored project topics are offered by DRDA. See our Training site.

RAIN Graduates