Training
The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) provides essential training and development resources for researchers and department personnel to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, university policies and procedures, and sponsor guidelines. Resources are divided into two categories: on-demand and training programs.
On-Demand Resources
On-demand training resources are organized by the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) teams. Individuals may be required to sign in with their Virginia Tech credentials to view the material.
Training and Development Video Channel
OSP’s Training and Development Video Channel features training and resources specific to Virginia Tech, as well as informative webinars from government agencies and professional organizations.
Introduction to OSP
Learn about sponsors and award types, as well as OSP leadership and team responsibilities.
Life Cycle of an Award
From proposal to closeout, learn the stages of a sponsored award and important contacts during each stage of an award.
Making “Cents” of OSP Funding Sources
In this recorded session from the fall 2023 Business Practices Webinar series, Trudy Riley explains how knowing sponsor types and their characteristics will ease administrative burden, ensure compliance, and improve workflow on sponsored projects. To see other finance-related topics, view the Office of Financial Management's full webinar playlist.
Roles and Responsibilities Matrix
View roles and responsibilities for each stage of the award life cycle.
Introduction to the Proposal Submission Process video series
In this four-part series, members of the pre-award team detail important components of the proposal submission process, including proposal tips, budgeting, and Summit Proposals/Agreements.
National Science Foundation's Transition to SciENcv
As part of OSP's Expert Q&A series, Lauren Magruder, director of pre-award, explains the NSF's transition to SciENcv. Researchers are now required to use SciENcv for biosketches and current and pending support sections of proposals.
Agency-Specific Foreign Influence Disclosure Guidance
Government agencies have identified foreign interests and activities that require disclosure to federal agencies when proposing to or participating in federally sponsored research. The webpage offers helpful information and downloadable resources on the specific requirements of the Department of Defense (including Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency special requirements), Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Solving the Mystery of Cost Share: Best Practices for Faculty and the Department
As part of OSP’s Expert Q&A Series, pre-award and post-award team members delve into the rules and best practices of cost share. Presenters also highlight Virginia Tech resources and systems that make managing cost sharing easier. Presentation slides are available to download under the video’s "Attachments" tab.
Non-Funded Research Agreements
The Contacts & Agreements team negotiates incoming research awards, but the team also helps researchers with a variety of non-funded agreements that support research activities. As part of OSP's Q&A series, team members describe the most common types of non-funded agreements, potential areas of concerns for each type, and how to initiate a review with OSP.
Principal Investigator Verification Email in Summit Agreements
The module covers the components and process of a proposed funded agreement verification email sent to principal investigators, as well as helpful tips and information about using Summit Agreements.
Award Management System: PI View resources
Learn how to utilize the power of the Award Management System as a principal investigator. The system is tailored to one’s role in the research community, so individuals will always see the most relevant, current financial information for their awards.
Award Management System: Department View Resources
Learn how to navigate the Award Management System as department personnel.
Award Change Requests
Principal investigators can submit an award change request directly in Summit Agreements. On the webpage, learn more about a specific award change request and how to submit a request via Summit Agreements.
Solving the Mystery of Cost Share: Best Practices for Faculty and the Department
As part of OSP’s Expert Q&A series, pre-award and post-award team members delve into the rules and best practices of cost share. Presenters highlight Virginia Tech resources and systems that make managing cost sharing easier. Presentation slides are available to download under the video’s "Attachments" tab.
Fly America Act
Resource providing essential information and helpful links to follow guidelines for international travel. A video resource also explains the Fly America Act.
Charging Travel Expenses to a Sponsored Project: What Do Departments Need Before Submitting Travel Vouchers?
A sponsored grant or contract often has restrictive terms and conditions concerning which travel expenses can be charged to the sponsored project and what backup documentation is required. Travel costs on sponsored projects are one of the categories of costs that federal auditors are scrutinizing more closely, and research universities are seeing more travel costs being questioned and disallowed. Departmental staff can help prevent this from happening at Virginia Tech.
As part of OSP's Q&A series, financial compliance and integrity team members review what kinds of travel expenses can be charged to a sponsored project and what additional information and documentation departments need to provide on travel vouchers in Chrome River.
Cost Transfers
This training video provides a concise review of the policies and guidelines of cost transfers on sponsored projects.
Effort Reporting
Resource that provides effort reporting schedules, tutorials, and FAQs.
Training Programs
The following training programs offer individuals in-depth courses and modules to expand their knowledge of research administration topics and skills.
Through this self-paced, online program, participants learn about Office of Sponsored Programs' teams, roles and responsibilities of a sponsored project, the life cycle of an award, policy navigation, compliance-driven practices, operational procedures, electronic research administration, and other foundational components of sponsored programs. Participants earn digital badges for completing modules and the entire course. Digital badges represent one’s commitment to continued professional learni
These brief training courses are for faculty who conduct sponsored research with the Department of Defense (including Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency special requirements), Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
The CRA study team is an online, guided self-study program designed for research administrators, regardless of institution, who plan to take the certified research administrator exam.