University Research Administrators
University Research Administrators (URA) offers Principal Investigators a range of services designed to streamline, standardize, and facilitate grant acquisition and administration through a network of administrators assigned to specific academic units.
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Find your contactProposal Development
- Ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor-specific policies
- Assist with the development of the administrative components of a proposal, including budget, budget justification, biosketches, etc.
Proposal Submission
- Coordinate the routing and submission process with the Pre-Award Office
- Serve as the primary liaison between PIs and the Pre-Award Office, ensure timeliness of submission, and communicate internal and external deadlines
Award Notification
- Facilitate the communication of award terms and conditions, status of award review (if applicable), and other relevant updates to PIs
- Review awarded budget modifications, compliance documentation, Just-in-Time (JIT) requests, etc.
Award Set Up
- Support the award set up process in the financial system
- Review the established award in the financial system for accuracy and submit requests to the Pre- and Post-Award Offices, as needed
Subcontract Initiation and Monitoring
- Identify the need for a subcontract
- Monitor active subcontracts to ensure programmatic progress and compliance
- Review subcontract invoices for accuracy and address questions regarding payment
- Submit requests to the Pre- and Post-Award Offices for project changes, prior approvals, etc.
Award Modifications
- Submit requests for award extensions, revisions, etc. to the Pre- and Post-Award Offices
- Serve as the primary liaison between PIs and the Pre- and Post-Award Offices to ensure timeliness of submission for all relevant documentation and communicate deadlines
Cost Share
- Advise PIs and the Post-Award Office of cost share commitments and potential risks
- Monitor and track all cost share commitments through the life of the award to ensure commitments are met
Cost Transfers
- Develop and submit cost transfer requests and documentation in coordination with PIs
- Ensure cost transfers have been correctly processed and follow up with the Post-Award Office as needed
Procurement
- Conduct limited post-audit review of research purchases as a part of monthly reconciliation processes to ensure expenses are allowable and allocable
HR Activities
- Review and approve proposed payroll allocations for available budget and allowability
Award Balance Monitoring
- Generate and review monthly financial reports of all sponsored activities with PIs
- Monitor award budgets to expenses and advise PIs accordingly (e.g. burn rate, budget/expense forecasting, etc.)
- Review grant financials prior to the submission of sponsor-required financial reports
Effort Reporting
- Communicate effort policies to PIs and research staff, including impact of variances (e.g. >25% effort changes), if they occur
- Partner with PIs to distribute and track the effort reporting and certification process
Award Closeout
- Notify PIs of outstanding residuals and/or deficits and coordinate the closeout process with the Post-Award Office
- Ensure all appropriate expenditures and cost transfers are posted before internal closeout deadlines (e.g. 60-days after an award end date)
Faculty Funds
- Provide guidance to PIs regarding the use of designated funds (for payroll and non-payroll expenses) when sponsored accounts are not appropriate
Staff
Nina Pourahmadi
Interim Assistant Vice Provost for Research, University Research Administrators
University Research Administrators
Courtney Baker
Manager, University Research Administrator
University Research Administrators
Melanie Gunnels
University Research Administrator
University Research Administrators
Katie Matula
University Research Administrator
University Research Administrators
Angie McBurnett
University Research Administrator
University Research Administrators
Maggie McCarthy
Senior University Research Administrator
University Research Administrators
Lyssa McKenry
University Research Administrator
University Research Administrators
Jennifer Morris
University Research Administrator
University Research Administrators
Brandi Phythian
University Research Administrator
University Research Administrators
Amy Plummer
University Research Administrator
University Research Administrators
Caleb Simone
University Research Administrator
University Research Administrators
Monique Summerfield
Senior University Research Administrator
University Research Administrators
Address
1420 S 5th St, Suite 418
Waco, Texas 76706
Baylor University
One Bear Place #97360
Waco, Texas 76798