The NURAP website has been reorganized to allow for more efficient navigation and to improve the “one-stop shopping” experience in finding any research administration event, topic, and training in one place. The updated homepage includes links to our past and upcoming events….
Resources for CRA training, professional development, awards, professional societies, research administration contacts at NU…
And, of course, the current RAP UP newsletter and those of newsletters past.
If you have any questions or suggestions for improvements to the NURAP website, please contact the NURAP Steering Committee at nurap@northwestern.edu. Thank you!
CRA Training
NURAP has purchased the Thompson Grants “Guide to Managing Federal Grants for Colleges and Universities.” This guide serves as the primary source of reading material for the sessions and covers topics that will appear on the CRA exam. All training session participants will have access to the guide’s section on Box. In addition, we recommend reading the RACC’s Body of Knowledge resources, which you can find at cra-cert.org.
What is a CRA?
A CRA or Certified Research Administrator is a designation which means “that an individual has met the requirements of the Research Administrators Certification Council’s (RACC) eligibility requirements and has demonstrated a level of knowledge necessary for a person to be a professional research or sponsored programs administrator” – taken from RACC website
What does the CRA training entail?
• 15 topics covered in weekly sessions + 2 review sessions
• Sessions will be held on Thursdays starting January 14 from 12:00-1:00pm
• Sessions will be held via zoom
• Feel free to attend as many sessions as you like or attend them all!
• Microsoft Team has been created to facilitate discussion. Code: m1h7k5e
What is the timeline?
• An orientation was held December 17th
• Weekly study sessions scheduled from January – May 2021
• First CRA exam window of 2021 will be open from May 15 – 29 (Deadline for application payment of $395 is April 14, 11:59pm EST).
• Second CRA exam window of 2021 will be open from November 6 – 20 (Deadline for application payment of $395 is October 6, 11:59pm EST).
How would I know if I’m eligible to take the exam?
The eligibility requirements for the CRA exam as follows:
1. Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree and three (3) years of professional experience in research or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-funded organization.
2. Associate’s degree and five (5) years of professional experience in research or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-fund organization.
3. No degree and six (6) years of professional experience in research or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-funded organization. This option requires completion of a Petition Application, which can be accessed on the website https://cra-cert.org/cra-petition/.
For more information about the CRA training, exam, and more, please go to https://nurap.northwestern.edu/cra-training/.
Join NURAP
NURAP Membership is open to all Northwestern staff interested in sponsored research administration. Become a member by joining the NURAP listserv.
NURAP Leadership
Do you enjoy the NURAP programming, newsletter, and networking opportunities? Are you interested in helping shape the research administration environment at Northwestern? Then come join us!
Steering committee membership is further grouped into four standing subcommittees, responsible for creating the strategy and accomplishing the activities of the organization. Descriptions of each subcommittee can be found below:
Membership: The Membership subcommittee oversees maintenance of the listserv, manages outreach to potential members, and organizes networking events.
Programming: The Programming subcommittee plans and implements the monthly NURAP at Noon events.
Communications & Outreach: The Communications & Outreach subcommittee manages the website and publishes the RAP Up, NURAP’s quarterly newsletter.
Continuing Education: The Continuing Education subcommittee plans and manages the biennial Certified Research Administrator (CRA) exam study sessions.
Ad Hoc Membership
Not sure if you are ready to make a full commitment? You can also get involved as an ad hoc member to help out on the subcommittees or to contribute an article to the Rap UP Newsletter. Please contact nurap@northwestern.edu to get involved.
Upcoming Events
NURAP@Noon
NURAP’s Programming subcommittee is responsible for the NURAP@Noon programming. Once a month, sessions are held via Zoom for an hour to educate and inform members and other attendees about sponsored research at Northwestern. Upcoming events will be posted at https://nurap.northwestern.edu/nurapatnoon/ as they are confirmed.
To look up information of the many diverse topics presented at our NURAP@Noon seminars over the years, please go to https://nurap.northwestern.edu/event-resources/.
Past Events
Certified Research Administrator (CRA) Training
The next cycle of CRA study sessions will begin in January 2021 and all held from 12:00PM to 1:00PM via Zoom. The full schedule of study sessions can be found at https://nurap.northwestern.edu/cra-training/.
Additional Conferences and Training Opportunities
Make the most of the current travel restrictions by attending a virtual conference or workshop. Many professional societies have transitioned their activities online at a much lower cost, so it might be the perfect time to investigate a new area of research administration or learn new skills. Upcoming events can be found at https://nurap.northwestern.edu/external-seminars-and-conferences/.