The Research Administration Educational Offerings are open to all in the MIT research administration community and those exploring a career in research administration. You can learn at your own pace with self-study webinars. 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.
Ongoing
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RA Support team members will highlight 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)
March 2025
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Navigating the complexities of post-award grant management can be challenging for both grant recipients and administrators. This webinar will provide a clear understanding of post-award allowability requirements, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and non-governmental funding policies while maximizing the impact of grant funds.
No registration is required.
Please join us March 05, 2025, via Zoom
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Our projects frequently include collaborations with others. These collaborations can vary in the level of involvement and face-to-face engagement. While we may be adept at navigating these partnerships when the other entity is another US-based institution of higher education, what do we need to consider when we collaborate with other types of entities? What might differ in our approach? Using a scientific example as our guide, we will develop a thorough approach to collaborations that helps us develop a plan for success.
We will talk through various aspects of potential collaborations, the related things to keep in mind, and potential questions to ask. For example, will the collaborator need to be on our campus, will they need access to our systems, are they subject to the single audit requirements? This session focuses on the questions to ask to get a full picture of the involvement of the collaborator. In some cases, we will have tried-and-true methods to share, but in others, we aim to help participants develop an approach for decisions that rely more on institutional policies and risk tolerance.
No registration is required.
Please join us March 10, 2025, via Zoom
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Workshop faculty with extensive financial research administration experience, including with the OMB, HHS Cost Allocation Services, Institutions of Higher Education, and organizations supporting research institutions, will discuss the significant revisions to Title 2 (Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance), impacts on research institutions, and how institutions are implementing.
- FY 2024 Revisions to 2 CFR: Federal Agency Implementation
- Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance; Corrections
- Title 2 Grants and Agreements
Learning Objectives
- The major revisions by the six subparts and twelve Appendices of the 2 CFR 200 and when they are effective.
- Participants will understand NSF organization, structure, and culture and what that means for you and your organization.
- How the revisions will impact the administration of research assistance agreements.
- Potential challenges, strategies and timelines for implementation.
No registration is required.
Please join us March 19, 2025, via Zoom
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As federal funding policies continue to evolve, institutions managing service centers must proactively adapt to potential reductions in research funding and shifting cost recovery limitations. This session explores the financial and operational complexities of service center management, focusing on advanced cost analysis, rate setting strategies, external user pricing, and compliance with federal guidelines. With ongoing discussions surrounding limitations on indirect cost recovery—such as the recently proposed 15% cap at NIH—institutions face increased pressure to maximize cost recovery while ensuring compliance.
This session will examine strategies for optimizing service center operations, developing sustainable financial models, and leveraging alternative revenue sources. Through real-world case studies and interactive discussions, participants will learn how to align their service center structures with institutional priorities while navigating federal cost principles, financial sustainability, and external audit expectations.
No registration is required.
Please join us March 24, 2025, via Zoom
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This Proposal Type is used for Budget and/or SOW updates on a pending Institute Proposal. The example for the class exercise is changes for an NSF CAREER proposal 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:
April 2025
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Session encouraging participation by all staff managing subawards issued under MIT prime awards. We will discuss recent updates, process changes and tools that assist with workflow and minimize delays in issuing modifications. There will be ample time for Q&A.
Register for Improving Subaward Modification Process
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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:
This hands-on class is offered in three versions with exercises and discussion focused on more complex proposal scenarios.
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Create a Detailed Budget with cost sharing on Personnel and Non-Personnel expenses to meet sponsor cost sharing requirements [03/28/2024]. 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:
This hands-on class is offered in three versions with exercises and discussion focused on more complex proposal scenarios.
May 2025
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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 2025
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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:
Share your topic suggestions at ra-help@mit.edu.