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Basics of Federal Contract Administration


Program: Research Administration
Presenter: Heide Eash, Associate Director for Federal Contracts
Rich Hoff, Federal Contracts Officer
Sara Ahrens, Federal Contracts Analyst
Office of Sponsored Programs
Workshop Type: Virtual
Date: 5/9/2025
Time: 10:00AM - 11:30AM
Who Should Attend: Faculty and staff who support federal research funding activities, and staff charged with research administration support and related activities

This workshop offers a basic overview of the federal contract process. Content includes a submission process overview, an overview of key issues, financial stewardship requirements, an overview of compliance issues unique to federal contracts, and an overview of the closeout process. Participants will learn the difference between federal funding mechanisms with a focus on applying for and managing federal research contracts and will become familiar with key areas of risk related to these agreements.




Clinical and Corporate Contract Basics


Program: Research Administration
Presenter: Sarah Weissman, Associate Director, Clinical and Corporate Contracts
Dylan Bitar, Clinical & Corporate Contracts Officer
Office of Sponsored Programs
Workshop Type: Virtual
Date: 5/13/2025
Time: 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Who Should Attend: New research administrators and/or new faculty, or those who would like a refresher on the types of matters and submission requirements for the Clinical and Corporate Contracts team at the Office of Sponsored Programs.

This workshop offers a description of the types of agreements processed by the Clinical and Corporate Contracts team, common reasons for contract delay, most commonly negotiated contract provisions, and strategies to avoid protracted contracting processes. Specific contracts discussed include: Material Transfer Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Data Use Agreements, Collaboration Agreements, Corporate Research Agreements, Clinical Trial Agreements, and industry subcontracts. Participants will leave this workshop with an understanding of the work specific to the Clinical and Corporate Contract team, the distinction between various agreements, and necessary processes to initiate a contract review.




From Application to Submission: An Overview of Research Development


Program: Research Administration
Presenter: Megan Hall, Proposal Project Manager, Research Concierge Program
Scylla Humbert, Limited Submissions and Resources Coordinator, Research Concierge Program
Office of Sponsored Programs
Workshop Type: Virtual
Date: 4/18/2025
Time: 10:00AM - 11:30AM
Who Should Attend: Faculty and staff interested in identifying, applying for, and advancing their research and scholarship careers at the university

This workshop is designed for faculty and staff interested in advancing their research and scholarship, whether early in career, experienced, or want to be more familiar with supportive resources on campus. The program includes an overview of the funding and Research Development resources and services available at the University. Specific topics include external and internal funding opportunities, limited submissions grants and awards, and tools available to faculty regardless of where they are in their research and scholarship lifecycle.




Gifts that Support Projects Policy Review


Program: Research Administration
Presenter: Laura Kingsley, Director
Office of Sponsored Programs
Andrew Falk, Executive Director
PAE - Corporate and Foundation Relations
Workshop Type: Virtual
Date: 6/3/2025
Time: 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Who Should Attend: Faculty, department research administrators, and staff who support faculty receiving funding support from various sources, including gifts, for research projects.

The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) presents this session to review the new University of Pittsburgh Policy AO 46 Gifts that Support Projects, which became effective on March 21, 2022. This session covers background on the policy, reviews related processes for working with CFR and OSP, and provides helpful resources for faculty and staff.




Introduction to Fee-For-Service in OSP


Program: Research Administration
Presenter: Laura Kingsley, Director
Office of Sponsored Programs
Workshop Type: Virtual
Date: 6/10/2025
Time: 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Who Should Attend: Department administrators, staff, and faculty who may be interested in fee-for-service work.

The Office of Sponsored Programs has recently expanded its services to include a Fee-For-Service Team. Fee-for-service work is client-initiated and can be provided to external for-profit as well as not-for-profit clients for the benefit of the private and public sectors. This workshop will focus on what constitutes fee-for-service work, how it is different from traditional sponsored projects, and provide resources and tips for those who are interested in participating in fee-for service work.




Introduction to Grants Management Services in the Office of Sponsored Programs


Program: Research Administration
Presenter: Celeste Flaherty-Thomas, Assistant Director for Grants Management
Zack Byrnes, Associate Director for Grants Management and Contracting
Office of Sponsored Programs
Workshop Type: Virtual
Date: 5/2/2025
Time: 10:00AM - 11:30AM
Who Should Attend: Research administrators who are new to the field, or who are familiar with research administration but new to the University; faculty members who are interested in learning more about sponsored research processes at the University.

This workshop is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of institutional pre-award processes, requirements, and systems relative to grants. The facilitator will provide an overview of roles and functions of the Grants Management Services Team and the services they provide related to submitting proposals to, and receiving awards from, government and non-profit funders of externally-sponsored research. Participants will also learn how required documents and submission methods vary based on multiple factors.




Introduction to MyRA for Non-Financial Agreements


Program: Research Administration
Presenter: Amanda Veiga, Assistant Director for Clinical and Corporate Contracts
Christine Masternak, Clinical & Corporate Contracts Officer
Office of Sponsored Programs
Workshop Type: Virtual
Date: 5/23/2025
Time: 10:00AM - 11:30AM
Who Should Attend: Research administrators who are new to the field, or new to University, or who would like to learn more about how to submit non-financial agreements (MTAs, DUAs, NDAs) in the University’s MyRA system; faculty members whose work involves the need for MTAs, DUAs or NDAs and would like to learn more about the internal system through which these agreements are recorded at the University.

This workshop is designed to provide a basic understanding of the University’s process for initiating review of non-financial agreements in the MyRA system. Content will include a demonstration of the MyRA submission process for MTAs and DUAs, an overview of when to submit a non-financial agreement, and an overview of the MyRA process from beginning to end for an agreement. Participants will learn how to answer the questions in the MyRA submission, what information must be provided to initiate OSP review, and receive an overview of the non-financial agreement process.




Introduction to PERIS MyFunding - Awards


Program: Research Administration
Presenter: Eric Larson, Electronic Research and Systems Administrator
Office of Sponsored Programs
Workshop Type: Virtual
Date: 5/20/2025
Time: 10:00AM - 11:30AM
Who Should Attend: Current and new research administrators who are responsible for the processing of awards received by federal, philanthropic and corporate sponsors who would benefit from a more hands-on tutorial of the Award module in the PERIS™ portal.

The MyFunding Award Module is a component of the PERIS™ portal, which is a university-wide electronic research management solution. This introductory course will prepare potential users to become more familiar with this module and its capabilities.




Introduction to PERIS MyFunding - Proposals


Program: Research Administration
Presenter: Eric Larson, Electronic Research & Support Administrator
Office of Sponsored Programs
Workshop Type: Virtual
Date: 5/16/2025
Time: 10:00AM - 11:30AM
Who Should Attend: Research Administrators involved in the proposal submission process, as well as faculty who would like a hands-on tutorial of MyFunding.

This introductory workshop is designed to help participants become more familiar with the MyFunding module and its capabilities. The MyFunding module is a component of the PERIS™ portal - a new University-wide electronic research management solution. Participants will learn how MyFunding allows administrators and faculty to prepare, route, and submit proposals electronically to federal, nonprofit/philanthropic and corporate sponsors.




Introduction to Subaward Administration


Program: Research Administration
Presenter: Tiffany McGinnis, Subaward Officer
Jessie Smith, Subaward Analyst
Office of Sponsored Programs
Workshop Type: Virtual
Date: 5/27/2025
Time: 10:00AM - 11:30AM
Who Should Attend: Current and new research administrators who are responsible for requesting outgoing subawards to the Office of Sponsored Programs and those involved in subaward management.

This workshop offers a basic overview of the process for issuing outgoing subawards under grants and non-profit agreements. Content includes a submission process overview, key issue highlights, types of agreements issued, roles and functions of the Grants Management Subaward Team, and significant compliance questions. Participants will receive an introduction to the Contraxx system and leave with a working understanding of the full subaward lifecycle.




Introduction to the Office of Sponsored Programs


Program: Research Administration
Presenter: Laura Kingsley, Director
Office of Sponsored Programs
Workshop Type: Virtual
Date: 4/11/2025
Time: 10:00AM - 11:30AM
Who Should Attend: Departmental research administrators who have been in their role for less than one year

This workshop aims to introduce participants to OSP by providing information on who we are, what we do, and tips and recommendations for working most efficiently and effectively with OSP. By the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

Identify the main OSP functions

Distinguish between the roles and responsibilities of OSP and departmental research administrators

List and locate resources available to research administrators




(New!) The Research Concierge Program - An Overview of Resources and Services for Faculty and Research-related Staff


Program: Research Administration
Presenter: Kerri Jackson, Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives
Christine Barberio, Proposal Editor, Research Concierge Program
Stefanie Coburn, Pitt Research Navigator, Research Concierge Program
Megan Hall, Proposal Project Manager, Research Concierge Program
Scylla Humbert, Limited Submission & Resources Coordinator, Research Concierge Program
Office of Sponsored Programs
Workshop Type: Virtual
Date: 6/6/2025
Time: 10:00AM - 11:30AM
Who Should Attend: All faculty and staff

The Pitt Research Concierge Program is designed to reduce administrative burden on faculty, enhance the competitiveness of research proposals, and expand the scope and reach of research development services to all schools and campuses. In this presentation, you will learn about our current list of resources and services, meet the service providers, and have an opportunity to ask questions.