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Filling the Gap

United States National Science Foundation Logo

Acknowledgement
Support from the
US National Science Foundation
under award: PTE-2400002

Welcome to Filling the Gap, a transformative program to create academic programs and certificates in research and grant administration, at the undergraduate and graduate level. The curriculum is designed to prepare the next generation of career professionals who will manage the business of research. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the GRANTED initiative, this project is dedicated to creating pathways to enter a growing and critical field.

What is Filling the Gap?

Filling the Gap addresses the nationwide demand for skilled research administrators by:

Developing
Developing a flexible and comprehensive curriculum for research and grant administration.
Credentials
Creating opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to earn academic credentials, including minors, concentrations, and certificates, in this specialized area.
Equipping
Equipping institutions with the tools and resources needed to implement these programs effectively.

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Our Goals

Curriculum Development

Curriculum Development

Collaborating with academic partner institutions and the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI), we are developing resources to support and promote an academic program (minor, concentration, certificate, etc.) in research administration and grant management. These resources can be adapted to suit individual institutions' needs while maintaining a strong foundation in core competencies.
Student Recruitment & Outreach

Student Recruitment & Outreach

Promoting research administration as an accessible career path through targeted marketing and outreach efforts to attract a diverse group of students.
Experiential Learning

Experiential Learning

Providing best practices and support for experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and externships with industry, government, and nonprofits, to ensure students graduate work-ready.

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Why Filling the Gap Matters

Research and grant administration are vital to driving innovation, supporting faculty, and navigating the complexities of funded research. However, the field faces a shortage of qualified professionals and a lack of formal undergraduate training programs. Filling the Gap seeks to address these challenges by:

  • Viable Career
    Increasing awareness of research administration as a viable career.
  • Skilled Workforce
    Developing a highly skilled workforce to support the research enterprise.
  • Opportunities
    Creating opportunities for students to contribute to a growing profession.

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Our Collaborators

This initiative is made possible by the collective expertise of universities, community colleges, and professional organizations nationwide. Led by The University of Alabama at Birmingham, key collaborators include the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI), the University of South Alabama, and a diverse network of academic institutions committed to advancing education in research administration.

  • Collaborators / Team Members
    • UAB

      Christopher S. Brown, PhD

      Principal Investigator

      Vice President for Research
      Office of Research
      The University of Alabama at Birmingham

      Learn more...

    • Insite

      Lynne U. Chronister

      Project Director

      Co-Principal
      Insite Advisors Group

      Learn more...

    • USA

      S. Raj Chaudhury

      Subaward Principal Investigator (USA)

      Executive Director
      Innovation in Learning Center
      University of South Alabama

      Keone Fuqua

      Program Manager

      Program Manager, Curriculum Design
      Innovation in Learning Center
      University of South Alabama

      Learn more...

    • SRAI

      Evan Roberts

      Co-Principal Investigator

      Executive Director
      Society of Research Administrators International

      Learn more...

    • MIAMI

      Amy Hurley Stander

      Content Developer

      Associate Director of Proposal Development
      Office of Research and Innovation
      Miami University (Ohio)

      Sarah Woodruff

      Evaluation Lead

      Director, Discovery Center for Evaluation, Research, and Professional Learning
      College of Education, Health, and Society
      Miami University (Ohio)

      Learn more...

    • AL A&M U

      Majed El Dwiek

      Subaward Principal Investigator (AL A&M U), NRI Outreach Lead

      VP of Research and Economic Development
      Division of Research and Economic Development
      Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University

      Learn more...

    • UIUC

      Kristin Tennant

      Subaward Principal Investigator (UIUC), Marketing Strategy and Toolkit Lead

      Director of Research Communications
      Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation
      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Sowmya Anand

      Co-Investigator, Marketing Toolkit Team

      Director, Office of Proposal Development
      Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation
      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Learn more...

    • NMSU

      Alisha Giron

      Subaward Principal Investigator (NMSU), Marketing Toolkit Team

      Associate Vice President, Research Administration
      Research, Creativity and Economic Development
      New Mexico State University

      Carol Flinchbaugh

      Marketing Toolkit Team

      Department Head, Professor
      Management | College of Business
      New Mexico State University

      Learn more...

While this list continues to grow, we are excited to announce that the following colleges/universities have joined the initiative to offer the curriculum program for their students:

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The Research Administration and Management (RAM) Curriculum

Filling the Gap will deliver, through the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI), the following five Research Administration and Management (RAM) courses (each designed to support the equivalence of 3 credit hours):

  • 1. Fundamentals of Research Administration and Grant Management

    • Navigating the Research Ecosystem
    • Mapping the Sponsored Project Journey
    • Building a Culture of Compliance

  • 2. Proposal Development, Budgeting, and Pre-award Management

    • Principles in Research Development
    • Principles in Proposal Development
    • Grant Proposal Writing Fundamentals
    • Navigating Pre-Award Processes

  • 3. Financial Considerations and Management of Grants and Contracts

    • Financial Management of Research Awards
    • Managing Funded Research Projects: Sponsor Requirements & Project Oversight
    • Reviewing and Revising Grant Expenditures
    • Audit Readiness & Response

  • 4. Safeguarding Research: Compliance & Ethics

    • Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR)
    • Oversight of Research with Human Participants and Animal Subjects
    • Navigating Research Security and Risks

  • 5. Legal Issues and Technology Transfer

    • Legal Foundations of Sponsored Research
    • Contract Negotiation & Award Acceptance
    • Protecting & Commercializing Research Innovations

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Contact Us

For more information about Filling the Gap or how your institution can get involved, please contact:

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