SPaRC'Ed - Overview
SPaRC’Ed is the sponsored programs and research administration certification series for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. SPaRC’Ed is supported by the Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (SPaRC) working group and the Office of Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation. SPaRC’Ed provides University of Illinois research administrators of all experience levels with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively administer sponsored programs and research activities across the full project lifecycle. The program will benefit the individual participant in his or her overall knowledge growth and professional development as well as provide added benefits to his or her unit through the ability to better serve faculty and researchers.
Elective Courses
You can register for a course by clicking on the links below the course names.
Is This A Conflict
This course will build your foundational knowledge of conflicts of commitment and interest, including sponsor-specific procedures. Together we will review best practices, worst practices, and draft a conflict management plan. Course materials will be made available prior to the session at: https://sparc.illinois.edu/content/sparced.
The Art of Advanced Cost Sharing
If you want to successfully cast away the cost share challenges, you need to take a deeper dive into the world of cost sharing: you must be knowledgeable, confident, nimble, focused, organized, and ever wary of sharks that can ruin your plan. This session moves beyond the basic definitions and explore ways to successfully manage cost share commitments in your unit. From proposal to close-out, cost share may feel like unfathomable, unless you are prepared to turn it in to a diving expedition. Please bring your best “tips and tricks” to share in the case studies and group discussions. Previous knowledge of cost sharing or participation in Cost Sharing - Basics is suggested. Course materials will be made available prior to the session at: https://sparc.illinois.edu/content/sparced.
DOE Lifecycle
An overview of the lifecycle of a DOE award from finding funding through award closeout. This course will touch on program solicitation types, budgeting considerations, DOE proposal submission and award management systems and resources, conflict of interest and foreign influence compliance requirements, common errors and warnings in a proposal submission, award management and closeout. If you are attending the course in-person, a laptop or tablet will be required in order to log into the Zoom session while in the SPA Training Room. Course materials will be made available prior to the session at: https://sparc.illinois.edu/content/sparced.
The End of the Road – Award Closeout
This course will provide tips and tricks to successful sponsored program closeout. The discussion will include the importance of timely closeout, common delays in the process, and how to resolve them. If you are attending the course in-person, a laptop or tablet will be required in order to log into the Zoom session while in the SPA Training Room. Course materials will be made available prior to the session at: https://sparc.illinois.edu/content/sparced.
Sponsored Equipment Management – Hey, Where’s My Microscope?
Your PI has purchased equipment on sponsored award funds, do you know how to track and manage the equipment? Does the University have title for ownership or is the sponsor requiring title? What if the equipment will be fabricated during the award? Join us in this new SPaRC’Ed Elective as we discuss the lifecycle of equipment as it relates to sponsored projects. Topics covered will include acquisitions, fabrications, best practices for managing and tagging inventory, and procedures for dispositions. If you are attending the course in-person, a laptop or tablet will be required in order to log into the Zoom session while in the SPA Training Room. Course materials will be made available prior to the session at: https://sparc.illinois.edu/content/sparced.
The Ins and Outs of Travel: The Planning, the Restrictions, and the Reimbursement
A discussion on the aspects of travel when related to sponsored awards. Learn the Yes, NO, and It Depends for travel related expenses. If you are attending the course in-person, a laptop or tablet will be required in order to log into the Zoom session while in the SPA Training Room. Course materials will be made available prior to the session at: https://sparc.illinois.edu/content/sparced.
NIH Lifecycle
An overview of pre- and post-award issues related to NIH. Discussion of program types, unique NIH budgeting considerations, common errors in proposal submissions, navigating eRA Commons, and guidance and tips for successful NIH post-award management. Course materials will be made available prior to the session at: https://sparc.illinois.edu/content/sparced.
Personnel: The Most Important Resource on a Sponsored Project
The success of a sponsored project is based in great part on the quality and actions of the personnel. It is imperative that Research Administrators and Principal Investigators know the basics of managing human resources and call on outside assistance before a problem arises. This class will provide an overview of personnel-related questions you and your PI should be considering throughout the sponsored project lifecycle. We will also provide a list of resources for when those questions arise. If you are attending the course in-person, a laptop or tablet will be required in order to log into the Zoom session while in the SPA Training Room. Course materials will be made available prior to the session at: https://sparc.illinois.edu/content/sparced.
Research Security
Be prepared! A guide to best practices, policies, and best practices on upholding research security. Course materials will be made available prior to the session at: https://sparc.illinois.edu/content/sparced.
SOS - Systems on Systems
Researchers and administrators are responsible for learning a dizzying array of electronic systems and tools to submit proposals and retrieve important project data. This course will cover the foundational electronic systems used in early stages of the sponsored project lifecycle, including a deep dive into the proposal submission and approval process. We will utilize common research administration scenarios to illustrate best practices on how to use the technology more efficiently. Learn to make sense of the madness and quickly locate the information that matters as you help usher a project towards award. In SOS Part II, we’ll take a closer look at ways Banner is used to manage a sponsored research project, highlight the data it shares with myProposals and the myResearch Portal, and discuss which tool is most appropriate for a given task. We’ll also cover how information flows between campus units and SPA through a variety of electronic forms. As in SOS Part I, we’ll utilize common research admin scenarios to illustrate best practices and efficient use of the technology. If you are attending the course in-person, a laptop or tablet will be required in order to log into the Zoom session while in the SPA Training Room. Course materials will be made available prior to the session at: https://sparc.illinois.edu/content/sparced.
- Register for In-Person Option Part I (Remote)
- Register for In-Person Option Part II (Remote)
- Register for Remote Option Part II (In-Person)
Subawards
My PI wants to collaborate with someone outside of the University of Illinois, now what? This course will provide information on why Subawards exists, why they are important, what is needed to create a subaward, and how they are managed across various campus offices. We will discuss the subaward process across the entire lifecycle, from early discussions of their creation through subaward closeout. Instructors will provide insight from the department, pre-award, and award management perspectives. If you are attending the course in-person, a laptop or tablet will be required in order to log into the Zoom session while in the SPA Training Room. Course materials will be made available prior to the session at: https://sparc.illinois.edu/content/sparced.