Live research administration trainings are open to all in the MIT research administration community and those exploring a career in research administration. MIT authentication is required to register for and join online trainings.
MIT Atlas Learning Center closes registration two days before the course is scheduled to be held. Atlas email course reminders will include Zoom links for virtual sessions. Register early, and contact training@mit.edu if a course you are interested in is closed or if you have any registration difficulties.
Drop-In Sessions
-
RA Support team members will highlight recent changes with FY2025 and FY2026 F&A rates and other topics drawn from current trends in questions received through ra-help@mit.edu. We invite you to bring questions and/or current proposals that you are working on. Join on Zoom (no registration required)
April 2026
-
The RAS Forum Series is designed to provide timely updates, share helpful information, and create space for discussion and questions on all aspects of research administration at MIT. These interactive sessions will offer participants the opportunity to hear directly from RAS, stay informed about current and upcoming changes, and engage with colleagues across the community.
Forums will be broadcast on Zoom and include an in-person option. For April, the in-person option will be hosted in MIT.nano 12-0168.
We encourage you to contribute advance questions and topics to help us make these sessions as useful as possible. Email Shannon Connell, screan@mit.edu
-
Create a Detailed Budget that includes personnel with different salary inflation dates and indirect costs.
This hands-on class will build upon knowledge and skills practiced in the pre-requisite web courses.
Please complete pre-requisite courses in this order prior to registration:
-
In times of crisis, effective leadership in research administration is crucial to maintaining stability and ensuring the continuity of essential functions. Leaders must demonstrate agility, clear communication, and decisive action to navigate challenges and mitigate risks. Building a resilient organizational culture that can adapt to unforeseen circumstances is key. Additionally, fostering collaboration and leveraging technology can enhance problem-solving capabilities and streamline crisis response efforts. Ultimately, strong crisis leadership not only addresses immediate issues but also strengthens the organization's long-term resilience and strategic positioning. Join this session to learn about successfully managing a crisis.
Registration is not required. Please join us April 27, 2026, via Zoom
-
Join the RAS Lead Liaison for NIH for a one-hour live virtual session exploring the latest resources and guidance for NIH proposal submission. Whether you're preparing your first application or refining your strategy, this course will provide you with policy updates, compliance requirements, and resources to better assist you in meeting agency standards and strengthening submissions.
May 2026
-
The RAS Forum Series is designed to provide timely updates, share helpful information, and create space for discussion and questions on all aspects of research administration at MIT. These interactive sessions will offer participants the opportunity to hear directly from RAS, stay informed about current and upcoming changes, and engage with colleagues across the community.
Forums will be broadcast on Zoom and include an in-person option. For May, the in-person option will be hosted in MIT.nano 12-0168.
Note: The RAS Forum Series is rescheduled for May 7, 2026, to allow members of the MIT Research Administration community to attend both the Spring 2026 Administrative Staff Meeting and the RAS Forum Series.
We encourage you to contribute advance questions and topics to help us make these sessions as useful as possible. Email Shannon Connell, screan@mit.edu
-
Budget development during the proposal phase plays a critical role in shaping financial health and compliance of an award throughout its lifecycle. This session offers Pre-Award professionals a Post-Award lens on budgeting, highlighting how early decisions can either support or hinder long-term financial integrity. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, we'll explore common pitfalls such as unallowable costs, effort commitments, and cost-sharing challenges, and how to proactively address them during proposal preparation. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to design budgets that meet sponsor expectations, align with institutional policies, and withstand Post-Award scrutiny.
Registration is not required. Please join us May 13, 2026, via Zoom
-
In this timely and interactive webinar, research administrators will explore the current state of the NIH Policy on Foreign Subawards as it stands at the time of the session. With ongoing changes in the federal research landscape, institutions are navigating heightened scrutiny, evolving requirements, and increased operational complexity related to foreign collaborations. This session will provide an overview of the policy updates from the National Institutes of Health, discuss practical implications for existing and future foreign subawards, and highlight how institutions are adapting their processes to remain compliant while sustaining critical global research partnerships. Participants will also engage in shared discussion around emerging best practices, challenges, and strategies being implemented across the research administration community. This webinar is designed for pre-award, post-award, compliance, and research leadership professionals who support NIH-funded projects involving foreign entities.
Registration is not required. Please join us May 18, 2026, via Zoom
-
Fellowship Activity Type is used for Pre and Post Doctoral fellowships which support independent research for purposes of enhancing the training experience of an individual. The example for the class exercise will be an NIH Post-Doctoral Fellowship.
This class will build upon knowledge and skills practiced in the pre-requisite web courses.
Please complete pre-requisite courses in this order prior to registration:
June 2026
-
The RAS Forum Series is designed to provide timely updates, share helpful information, and create space for discussion and questions on all aspects of research administration at MIT. These interactive sessions will offer participants the opportunity to hear directly from RAS, stay informed about current and upcoming changes, and engage with colleagues across the community.
Forums will be broadcast on Zoom and include an in-person option. For June, the in-person option will be hosted in MIT.nano 12-0168.
We encourage you to contribute advance questions and topics to help us make these sessions as useful as possible. Email Shannon Connell, screan@mit.edu
-
When a Principal Investigator moves to a new institution, transferring their sponsored awards can be a complex and time-sensitive process. Without careful coordination, these transitions risk delays, compliance issues, and disruptions to research progress. This session will guide research administrators through the key steps, challenges, and best practices for managing award transfers efficiently and effectively. We'll explore both the sending and receiving institution perspectives, including sponsor requirements, internal approvals, subawards, equipment transfers, and communication strategies. You'll leave equipped with tools and checklists to keep the process moving forward, ensuring research continues without missing a beat.
Registration is not required. Please join us June 4, 2026, via Zoom
-
Create a Detailed Budget for a Non-Profit sponsor with a difference between MIT’s federally negotiated rate and the F&A rate allowed by the sponsor resulting in Underrecovery.
This hands-on class will build upon knowledge and skills practiced in the pre-requisite web courses.
Please complete pre-requisite courses in this order prior to registration:
Share your topic suggestions at ra-help@mit.edu.