Training

Essentials of Research Administration (ERA)

The ERA certification series provides training for research administrators and other support staff who have responsibilities for research proposals, grants, contracts, pre- and post-award administration and related activity at Michigan State University. 

Training is complimentary.

ERA Cores & Electives

All courses will be held via Zoom. Register in Ability at orrs.msu.edu/train

Course Levels

We have added course levels to help users find training opportunities that are appropriate for their level of experience.  These levels are intended only as a guide and they will not prevent anyone from registering for a particular course.  Each ERA course has been assigned one of the following levels:

• Entry Level - Course is appropriate for research administrators new to MSU or new to research administration.
• Intermediate - Course is recommended for those with at least 1 year of research administration experience or who have completed the Core courses.
• Advanced - Course is recommended for those with at least 2 years of research administration experience or with a specific interest in or need to learn about the topic.
• All Audiences - Course is recommended for all levels of experience and interest in research administration.  May cover topics, processes, or programs across various levels.

Initial Certification Requirements

Initial Certification:

Completion of the four Core courses and 12 elective credits are required for initial ERA certification. Participants have two years from the date they complete their first course to complete these requirements. Possible initial certification pathways include:

• Complete the 4 Core courses and 3 full-length electives
• Complete the 4 Core courses, 2 full-length electives, and 2 short-course electives 
• Complete the 4 Core courses, 1 full-length elective, and 4 short-course electives 
• Initial certificate is valid for two (2) calendar years beginning in the year the participant began attending ERA training sessions

Recertification Requirements

Your ERA certification can be renewed annually by completing 8 hours of ERA coursework or equivalent research-related training. Possible recertification pathways include:

• Complete 2 full-length electives
• Complete 1 full-length elective and 2 short-course electives
• Complete 4 short-course electives
• Attend SPROUT-approved conferences or training programs and send proof of attendance by completing our External Training Logging form (https://forms.office.com/r/fgJmg1rwkY). Each hour of training completed will count as one ERA credit toward your recertification:
• National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA)
• Society of Research Administrators (SRA)
• Grant Professionals Association (GPA)
• National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)
• Obtain your Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certificate through the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC)
• Members of SPAC or SPROUT may receive 1/4 Elective credit for each meeting attended
• If you would like an alternative option considered for recertification credit, please send a request to the SPROUT Training Subcommittee Chair: Amy Bane at barteram@msu.edu

Sponsors

• Sponsored Program Research Opportunities and University Training (SPROUT)
• Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation (SVPRI)

External Training Opportunities

National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA)

• Financial Research Administration (FRA)
• Pre-Award Research Administration (PRA)
• Region IV Spring Meeting
• Annual Meeting

Society of Research Administrators (SRA) International

• SRA Midwest/Northeast Sections
• Annual Meeting