Research Administrator

AdminDAY-TO-DAY PARTNERS

Research Administrators (RAs) are the day-to-day partners PIs rely on to keep a sponsored project moving, connecting the lab with Pre-Award, OSP, Research Accounting, and Research Financial Compliance at every stage of the award lifecycle. This page covers what RAs are responsible for, how they support PIs day to day, and where to find the resources that make that support possible.  

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A RESEARCH ADMINISTRATOR

A Research Administrator (RA) is the department- or center-level partner who helps a Principal Investigator carry a sponsored project from idea to closeout. Where Pre-Award, OSP, Research Accounting, and Research Financial Compliance (RFC) provide institutional review and central systems of record, the Research Administrator is usually the PI’s first call, translating sponsor rules and university policy into the next concrete step. Core responsibilities include:

  • Serving as the department’s point of contact for PIs across the full award lifecycle, from identifying funding opportunities through final closeout
  • Preparing and routing proposal budgets and budget justifications in coordination with Pre-Award, and confirming proposals meet sponsor formatting and submission requirements
  • Coordinating award setup, modifications, rebudgeting, and no-cost extension requests at the department level
  • Monitoring departmental sponsored project expenditures for accuracy, allowability, and consistency with the approved budget and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200)
  • Supporting subrecipient invoice review and monitoring for PIs managing subawards
  • Coordinating time and effort certification for research personnel through ECC
  • Maintaining departmental award records and documentation to support sponsor audits and reviews
  • Advising PIs on institutional policy, prior-approval requirements, and sponsor-specific rules throughout the award

DAY-TO-DAY AWARD SUPPORT

Much of an RA’s work happens in the space between a PI’s research and UNT Health’s central offices — keeping an active project compliant and on-budget afterward.  This includes:

  • Monitoring GRAMS account balances and flagging projected overruns before they happen
  • Preparing rebudgeting, carryover, and no-cost extension requests
  • Reviewing and approving day-to-day expenditures for allowability and allocability
  • Coordinating effort certification periods and reminders for research personnel
  • Preparing departmental documentation ahead of award closeout

RESOURCES FOR RESEARCH ADMINISTRATORS

Given the range of responsibilities RAs carry, staying current on changes to the Uniform Guidance, sponsor policies, and UNT Health procedures is essential to supporting PIs accurately and avoiding compliance issues. The resources below are designed to help RAs build and maintain that knowledge.

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Training resources to be added.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

STAY INFORMED
Updates to be provided.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Many Research Administrators also benefit from involvement in national organizations that offer training, certification, and networking specific to the field, such as:

  • Society of Research Administrators International (SRA International)
  • National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA)