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 Research Administrators Instructional Network
Next session: Spring 2013

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.

Participants are expected to complete all the RAIN modules.
Participants must have 3 to 5 years of involvement in the administrative aspects of sponsored projects at the University of Michigan
Participants must have completed prerequisite workshops
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.

RAIN Dates

The course is held once-a-week for eight weeks, starting on April 2 and ending on May 21.

Overview of Research Administration	April 2	8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Overarching Principles Pt. 1	April 12	8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Overarching Principles Pt. 2	April 18	8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Finding Funding	April 23	1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Proposal Preparation	April 30	8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Budget Management	May 9	1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Proposal Submission & Award	May 14	8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Post Award and Close-Out	May 21	8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The dates and times will be confirmed prior to the start of the sessions.

Most sessions are held in Wolverine Tower (Eisenhower and State Street)

How to Apply ♦ Deadline: February 28

Fill out the application form:
♦ RAIN application pdf version.
♦ RAIN application MsWord version.

Fax it to 734-763-4053 or
email it to: mroulo@umich.edu, or

Mail it to:
Marifelice Roulo
1032 Wolverine Tower,
3003 S State St.
Ann Arbor, MI
48109-1274

Prerequisites

3 to 5 years of involvement in the administrative aspects of sponsored projects at the University of Michigan

Completion of the following workshops from ORSP and Finance before RAIN.

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
eResearch Proposal Management Proposal Preparation and Unit Review

Check here for Schedule and Registration for these prerequisite classes

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 at the University of Michigan. There are prerequisite courses to fulfill 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.

Cost

The $150 fee offsets some of the out-of-pocket expenses associated with the course. The course fee will be charged to your unit as a service unit billing and will appear on the monthly statement of activity.

Student selection for 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 ORSP. See our Training site.

RAIN Senior Seminar : : Topics in Human Resources

Intended for the seasoned research administrator, this all-day seminar will explore issues of recruiting, hiring, bringing employees onboard, orientation, and maintenance of appointments through termination.

Learn more

RAIN Graduates

Find what you were looking for? Let us know at: UMresadmin-web@umich.edu

Office of Research & Sponsored Projects, 3003 S. State St., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1274
Main Phone: 734-764-5500. | Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Copyright © 1998-2012 The Regents of the University of Michigan

RAIN Research Administrators Instructional Network Next session: Spring 2013