Resources

Resources are relevant as of August 2025.

Organizations & Resource Hubs

National Organizations

• National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) is a non-profit professional society committed to advancing the research administration profession.
• Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) is a research management society.
• National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP) is a professional organization dedicated to research development.
• National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) is an organization for people in central budget, finance, accounting offices.
• National Grants Management Association (NGMA) provides education, resources, and support for professionals needing grants management guidance.
• National Contract Management Association (NCMA) is an organization for the contract management professionals in the public and private sectors.
• International Network of Research Management Societies (INORMS) is an organization for those working in research management.

South Carolina Organizations 

• South Carolina Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (SC EPSCoR) is a federally and state-supported program dedicated to strengthening SC’s research infrastructure. SC EPSCoR integrates research into education, expands opportunities across institutions and strengthens collaboration in SC’s science and technology enterprise. 
• South Carolina Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (SC INBRE) is funded by the National Institutes of Health, provides resources, training, and funding to enhance research activities for faculty and staff. SC INBRE fosters collaboration among research universities and smaller colleges across the state. 

Discussion Groups 

• Colleges of Liberal Arts Sponsored Programs (CLASP) is a discussion group for those involved with faculty grants and sponsored programs at predominately undergraduate institutions. Beth Jager is the listserv administrator (click on the three-line icon on the right to subscribe).

Other Resources 

• Catalyst  is the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) monthly electronic newsletter for professionals in research management and administration. It informs research administrators about conferences, educational opportunities, member achievements, networking, and insights from experts in the field. 
• Equipping Minoritized and Emerging Research Institutions to Grow their Enterprises (EMERGE) Resource Library is a national, peer-reviewed collection of research enterprise resources focusing on minority-serving institutions (MSIs) and emerging research institutions (ERIs). The library contains resources to strengthen research infrastructure and capacity.
• NCURA magazine publishes on management, perspectives on federal policy, and the content related to research administrators.
• NORDP news is a blog for research development professionals.

Minor Degree Programs

• Virginia Commonwealth University: Minor in Research Ecosystems A comprehensive introduction to the operational, regulatory, and strategic aspects of modern research conduct and management.

Master’s Degree Programs 

• Drexel University: Master of Science in Clinical Research Management, Organization, and Administration An online program covering key organizational and administrative skills for experienced research professionals seeking credentials and clinical management skills.  
• Central Michigan University: Master of Science in Administration (MSA) A flexible program designed for professionals looking to advance their careers in administration and leadership. Half of the courses focus on core administrative skills, and the other half are tailored to your chosen concentration (out of 11) for your career goals. 
• City University of New York School of Professional Studies (CUNY-SPS): Master of Science in Research Administration and Compliance A online program designed to prepare professionals for leadership roles in research administration and compliance. The program focuses on financial stewardship of research funds, ethical and compliant conduct of research, clinical research administration and management, intellectual property issues, policy development and implementation, and organizational behavior and leadership. 
• Rush University: Master of Science in Research Administration (MSRA) An online graduate program designed to prepare professionals for research administration leadership positions. The program equips students with essential skills needed for practice as a research manager while providing a foundation for leadership roles in research administration. 
• University of Central Florida: Master of Research Administration (MRA) A comprehensive online programed that will equip students with knowledge and skills necessary to advance their careers as research administrations.  
• University of North Texas Health Science Center: Clinical Research Management An online or hybrid program providing a foundation for those seeking to enter the clinical research profession. The program focuses on a broad-based view of biomedical sciences, in-depth knowledge or regulatory requirements, ethical issues, medical writing, and administrative skills necessary to conduct clinical research. 
• Wake Forest University: Clinical Research Management (MS) An online program providing skills and knowledge needed for students seeking to enter into clinical research leadership roles. The program focuses on the integration of clinical research and patient care to accelerate the development of innovative treatments. 

Certificate Programs 

• City University of New York School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS): Advanced Certificate in Research Compliance An online certification that prepares professionals for careers in research compliance. The certification provides knowledge in research compliance, ethics, and integrity, clinical research administration and compliance, intellectual property, technology transfer, and commercialization. 
• Drexel University: Certificate of Study in Clinical Research An online certificate program that provides business principles and clinical research industry best practices. The certificate will help graduates pursue career paths in clinical research, such as clinical research coordinators.  
• Duke University, Office of Education for Research Administration & Finance: Research Administration Certificate Programs * Only offered to Duke University Employees 
  • * Research Administration Academy: Certificate program designed to provide grant managers at Duke University with basic knowledge of the core principles of research administration and training  
  • * Advance Grant Management: Certificate program for experienced research administrators and grant management experience. 
  • * Research Administration Institute – Leadership Series: Provides leadership and management training for senior-level research administrators.  
  • * Federal Contracting Certificate: Advanced-level certification designed to provide training to grants and contracts administrators/managers, departmental business managers, and research administrators/managers who manage federal contracts and would like to be proficient in federal contracting. 
• Emmanuel College: Graduate Certificate in Research Administration An online certificate for professionals across all facets of research administration. The certificate provides an introduction to research administration, financial accounting for sponsored programs, compliance, regulatory environments, legal issues, financial management of sponsored programs, and contracts.  
• Princeton University: Administrator Research Certification (ARC) A certification program designed to provide professional development to individuals new to or interested in a career in sponsored research administration. 
• University of Central Florida: Research Administration Graduate Certificate An online certification intended to prepare individuals for or advance their careers in research management and leadership. The certificate provides a comprehensive overview of research administration and leadership. 
• University of Maryland: Research Administration, Certificate An online certification program designed to advance individuals' careers in research administration. The program provides historical and evolutionary perspectives, legal issues in research, contract management, and safeguarding confidential information. 
• Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) Provides certificate programs covering various aspects of research administration, such as Clinical Trials, Financial Management, and Research Law.

Professional Certification Programs 

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) The Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) offers 10 certificates in the field of research administration and management including: clinical trials research administration, financial management, introduction to research administration and management, leadership, national institutes of health grants fundamental, practice of research administration and management, pre-award, research development, research compliance and integrity, research law.  
• Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA) The Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) offers a voluntary certification by examination for all pre-award research and sponsored programs administrators. The 3.5-hour computer-based examination consists of a maximum of 200 multiple-choice questions on research partnership and funding, project development and proposal submission, budget design and development, and awards and pre-award compliance considerations. 
• Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) The Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) offers a voluntary certification by examination for all financial research and sponsored programs administrators. The 3.5-hour computer-based examination consists of a maximum of 200 multiple-choice questions on governing framework, project costs, reporting, and fiscal compliance.