1 p.m., July 29, 2010----With the University of Delaware's recent ranking as one of the top 100 universities in federal obligations for science and engineering, the UD Research Office continues to enhance its efforts to provide the best practices and programs to aid investigators in the search for sponsored funding.

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Supporting this effort, which also includes developing competitive proposals and research grant management, are four members of the Sponsored Programs Administration group and a former member of the group now in the College of Engineering who have all successfully completed the requirements to become certified research administrators (CRA).

Certified are Trudy Riley, Laura Paller, Kathy Lyons and Dawn Johnson, all in the Research Office, and Kris Farmer in the College of Engineering.

Riley, a manager in the Research Office, helped to facilitate the CRA training process by forming a study group that meets weekly to discuss the many areas of grant process expertise covered by the exams.

Given on a pass/fail basis each May and December, the certified research administrator exams test for knowledge of research categories, including:

• Project development and administration;
• Legal requirement and sponsor interface;
• Financial management; and
• General management.

“When I came here three years ago, one of my goals was to become certified and to have this credential,” Riley said. “Becoming a certified research administrator is the culmination of study which indicates that you are an expert in your field.”

The first group began meeting in September 2008 to prepare staff member for the exam, Riley said.

“The exam is offered at Delaware State University, because the Research Administration Council contracts with a testing group based there,” she said, adding, “The council offers review sessions throughout the year in conjunction with sponsored administration conferences. The four-hour long examination consists of 250 multiple choice questions.”

Riley said the study group affords those who have become certified research administrators the opportunity to share their experience and help other study group members prepare for upcoming exams.

“The study group evolved when staff members who had taken the exam wanted to talk with others about what was covered on the test,” Riley said. “We divided the areas of expertise within the study group, so that we could both teach and learn from each other.”

Riley said she also began creating sample tests based on the different areas of expertise presented by members during study group discussions.

“The test started out small and grew cumulatively,” Riley said. “We give them every six weeks, based on what we have studied since the start of the latest group.”

Riley said that there were 150 questions on the final study group preparatory exam, compared to 250 multiple choice questions on the national certification exam.

Paller, a contract and grant administrator in the Research Office, and a certified research administrator, brings to the study group her expertise about the human subject and clinical trials aspect of scientific research.

“There are differences between human subjects and clinical trials, in terms of protection and drugs that might be used. I can speak to my knowledge of what is on the test, because I have taken the exam,” Paller said. “I also can offer myself as a resource to the group and as a contact person for the human subject questions.”

Paller also noted that the willingness of grant administrators to take the exam shows their level of commitment to furthering the level of research at UD.

“This shows that we have achieved the highest level of research administration expertise possible,” Paller said. “This also gives me the confidence to help others, to give tips and pointers and try to help reduce stress of those who will be taking the exams.”

Riley said that that her goal is to have all contract and grant administrators certified, an objective supported by Mark Barteau, senior vice provost for research and strategic initiatives, and Christine Cook, assistant provost for research management and operations.

“They have supported us by providing study time and covering the costs of attending these sessions and giving us the time to go take the exams,” Riley said. “We want to show that we appreciate their support of our professional development as we work to provide the best possible services to the University in this area.”

Article by Jerry Rhodes