Day 1

Accelerating Research Impact Across North Carolina: Tools, Partnerships, and Pathways for Success

David Wyrick, Terri Shelton & Mark Crowell

Discover how strong university partnerships with NCI can accelerate research commercialization in North Carolina. This session highlights best practices for OSP teams working with NCI—the state’s front door for moving academic innovations toward real-world impact. Featuring first-hand insights from someone who understands both university operations and NCI’s commercialization pathways, the session will demonstrate practical ways these partnerships benefit institutions, support faculty, and strengthen North Carolina’s research ecosystem.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

SUNFLOWER

NCI: Pre-Award Policies & Impact: M1: How NCI differs from traditional sponsored research opportunities and what makes a commercialization-oriented proposal strong

Derrick Welch. Pritesh Kasliwal, Tamera Hatch

Commercialization-focused funding requires a different mindset than traditional sponsored research, and pre-award teams play a critical role in helping faculty navigate that shift. This session will break down how NCI evaluates commercialization-oriented proposals—highlighting what makes applications strong, where they most often fall short, and how milestones, de-risking strategies, industry relevance, and market diligence shape funding decisions.

Participants will learn practical ways pre-award staff can coach faculty without stepping into the role of the technology transfer office, including which data matter most in translational research support. The session will also explore how to track disclosures, TRL movement, industry engagement, and downstream outcomes to build institutional memory and strengthen reporting discipline. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to better position their researchers for success in NCI’s commercialization pipeline.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

BELLFLOWER

NCI: Faculty Experience Across Pre & Post Award:  M2: What it's like working with NCI from the faculty perspective

LaKeya Hardy, Rukiyah Van-Dross Anderson, Kaira Wagoner, Randy Schmitz, Rosario Porras-Aguilar, Martin Tanaka, Kristen Dellinger

What does it really feel like to work with NCI as a faculty innovator? This session brings forward the faculty perspective across both pre- and post-award stages, highlighting how NCI’s wrap-around support—Hubs, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, Pipeline programs, and capacity-building resources—helps researchers develop their ideas, strengthen proposals, and advance technologies toward real-world impact.

Through first-hand experience, the speaker will share what faculty need from their university partners to be fully supported, and how strong collaboration with OSP and research administration can remove friction points. The session will also emphasize the value of engaging with NCI’s regional team and participating in post-award cohort programs, demonstrating how these relationships accelerate progress and expand opportunities for innovators across North Carolina.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

REDBUD A

NCI: University Partnerships: M3: Building an ideal campus infrastructure for Innovation

Scott Davis, Justin Streuli, Joy Dismukes

Building an effective campus infrastructure for innovation requires seamless coordination across research administration, technology transfer, and commercialization support. This session will explore how universities can strengthen these handoffs, identify where projects commonly get stuck, and develop models that route faculty to the right office at the right time. Participants will learn how to leverage NCI’s regional staff and hub relationships to expand capacity—even on smaller or less-resourced campuses—and how OSP can play a pivotal role in connecting researchers to commercialization pathways. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for improving campus navigation, reducing friction points, and enabling more faculty to successfully engage in North Carolina’s innovation ecosystem.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

REDBUD B

NCI: Finance-Post Award: M4: Governance & Business Model: Impactful Funding

Linda Hall, Erica Shrader

Understanding how NCI’s endowment-driven business model differs from traditional state-funded agencies is essential for maximizing the impact of commercialization-focused awards. This session will unpack NCI’s unique governance structure, how its funding approach enables more flexible and impactful investment in innovation, and what legislators and senior leaders increasingly expect in terms of compliance and reporting. Participants will learn which metrics matter most—such as disclosures, TRL progression, industry engagement, and downstream outcomes—and how strong administrative practices can build institutional memory and support transparent, data-driven reporting. Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of how finance and post-award teams can strengthen accountability while amplifying the real-world impact of NCI-supported research.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

DOGWOOD A

M5: From Data to Decisions: Using Proposal Data to Strengthen Submission Strategy

Denise Wynn

Institutions submit thousands of proposals each year, yet many fail to fully leverage their own data to inform submission strategy. Proposal trends—such as funding success rates, resubmission patterns, sponsor behavior, and PI activity—hold valuable insights that can drive smarter decision-making.

This session explores how research administrators can analyze proposal data to identify trends, guide faculty strategy, and improve institutional competitiveness. Participants will learn how to move beyond reporting metrics to using data as a tool for strategic advising and planning.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

Topic Tags: Pre-Award, Leadership, Management, Professional Development, Data Analytics

SUNFLOWER

NCI: Pre-Award Policies & Impact: M1: How NCI differs from traditional sponsored research opportunities and what makes a commercialization-oriented proposal strong (REPEAT)

Derrick Welch. Pritesh Kasliwal, Tamera Hatch

Commercialization-focused funding requires a different mindset than traditional sponsored research, and pre-award teams play a critical role in helping faculty navigate that shift. This session will break down how NCI evaluates commercialization-oriented proposals—highlighting what makes applications strong, where they most often fall short, and how milestones, de-risking strategies, industry relevance, and market diligence shape funding decisions.

Participants will learn practical ways pre-award staff can coach faculty without stepping into the role of the technology transfer office, including which data matter most in translational research support. The session will also explore how to track disclosures, TRL movement, industry engagement, and downstream outcomes to build institutional memory and strengthen reporting discipline. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to better position their researchers for success in NCI’s commercialization pipeline.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

BELLFLOWER

NCI: Faculty Experience Across Pre & Post Award:  M2: What it's like working with NCI from the faculty perspective (REPEAT)

LaKeya Hardy, Rukiyah Van-Dross Anderson, Kaira Wagoner, Randy Schmitz, Rosario Porras-Aguilar, Martin Tanaka, Kristen Dellinger

What does it really feel like to work with NCI as a faculty innovator? This session brings forward the faculty perspective across both pre- and post-award stages, highlighting how NCI’s wrap-around support—Hubs, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, Pipeline programs, and capacity-building resources—helps researchers develop their ideas, strengthen proposals, and advance technologies toward real-world impact.

Through first-hand experience, the speaker will share what faculty need from their university partners to be fully supported, and how strong collaboration with OSP and research administration can remove friction points. The session will also emphasize the value of engaging with NCI’s regional team and participating in post-award cohort programs, demonstrating how these relationships accelerate progress and expand opportunities for innovators across North Carolina.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

REDBUD A

NCI: University Partnerships: M3: Building an ideal campus infrastructure for Innovation (REPEAT)

Scott Davis, Justin Streuli, Joy Dismukes

Building an effective campus infrastructure for innovation requires seamless coordination across research administration, technology transfer, and commercialization support. This session will explore how universities can strengthen these handoffs, identify where projects commonly get stuck, and develop models that route faculty to the right office at the right time. Participants will learn how to leverage NCI’s regional staff and hub relationships to expand capacity—even on smaller or less-resourced campuses—and how OSP can play a pivotal role in connecting researchers to commercialization pathways. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for improving campus navigation, reducing friction points, and enabling more faculty to successfully engage in North Carolina’s innovation ecosystem.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

REDBUD B

NCI: Finance-Post Award: M4: Governance & Business Model: Impactful Funding (REPEAT)

Linda Hall, Erica Shrader

Understanding how NCI’s endowment-driven business model differs from traditional state-funded agencies is essential for maximizing the impact of commercialization-focused awards. This session will unpack NCI’s unique governance structure, how its funding approach enables more flexible and impactful investment in innovation, and what legislators and senior leaders increasingly expect in terms of compliance and reporting. Participants will learn which metrics matter most—such as disclosures, TRL progression, industry engagement, and downstream outcomes—and how strong administrative practices can build institutional memory and support transparent, data-driven reporting. Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of how finance and post-award teams can strengthen accountability while amplifying the real-world impact of NCI-supported research.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

DOGWOOD A

M6: The Hidden Weight of the Work: Sustaining Research Administrators in High-Pressure Environments

Denise Wynn

Research administration is fast-paced, high-stakes, and often under-resourced. Behind the deadlines and compliance demands, many professionals carry an invisible load—chronic stress, burnout, and the emotional weight of constant pressure. This session explores how these factors impact performance, decision-making, and team dynamics. Participants will gain practical strategies to support themselves and their teams while maintaining accountability and operational excellence.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

Topic Tags: Leadership, Management, Professional Growth

SUNFLOWER

M7: F&A Rate Discussion Status, Executive orders and other federal changes in RA 

Special Session: May end early due to speaker conflicts

Robert Cohen, Gil Tran, Penny Gordon-Larsen

The session will cover the latest Executive Orders, Federal Agency announcements, Federal rule changes, Agency budget changes, Federal indirect cost changes and other related topics such as new Letter of Credit requirements and appeals for terminated grants.  

Knowledge Level: All Levels

Topic Tags: Agency specific (i.e. NIH, NSF, etc.), Budgets/Financial, Compliance

BELLFLOWER

M8: Navigating the Research Administration Regulatory Framework (WORKSHOP)

Julie Cole, Betty Morgan

Research administrators are navigating an increasingly complex environment shaped by laws, regulations, Executive Orders, agency guidance, research security requirements, audits, and institutional policies. This workshop provides an overview of the research administration regulatory framework and explores how these requirements fit together to support institutional research activities.

Attendees will gain a better understanding of the broader regulatory landscape, where key requirements originate, and how various compliance, administrative, and operational responsibilities intersect across the research enterprise. Designed for both new and experienced research administrators, this session provides a foundation for understanding the regulatory environment that impacts day-to-day research administration.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

Topic Tags: Compliance, Research Security, Regulatory Environment, Professional Development 

REDBUD A

M9: Updates and Discussion UNC System Institutions (WORKSHOP)

Valerie Crickard, Jacob Falkiewicz

The discussion group will provide updates to UNC System research administration along with time to ask questions and provide feedback.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

Topic Tags: Central Office, Workflow and Processes, UNC System updates

REDBUD B

M10: Orientation to Research Administration (WORKSHOP)

Charna Howson, Joy Dismukes 

This workshop provides a high-level introduction to the research administration ecosystem and the full lifecycle of sponsored projects. Participants gain clarity on key roles, essential terminology, and the processes that guide proposals from concept to closeout. By exploring funding mechanisms, budget development, compliance requirements, and post award management, attendees build a foundational understanding of how institutions support responsible, successful research. Interactive activities reinforce real world decision making and highlight the importance of communication, collaboration, and ethical stewardship throughout the research enterprise.                                                           

Knowledge Level: Basic/Introductory

Topic Tags: Budgets/Financial, Closeout, Compliance, Departmental

DOGWOOD A

M11: Integrating AI and Automation Across Research Development and Administration (WORKSHOP)

Emily Devereux

Artificial intelligence (AI) and workflow automation are increasingly transforming how institutions support research development (RD) and research administration (RA). This interactive workshop will provide a practical introduction to integrating AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft Power BI into RD and RA workflows to improve efficiency, support proposal development, enhance funding opportunity analysis, and streamline administrative tasks. Participants will explore real-world examples of AI-assisted workflows for proposal support, communication, reporting, and research intelligence, along with practical considerations related to responsible AI use, institutional policies, and sponsor requirements. The session is designed to help research administrators and research development professionals identify manageable, high-impact opportunities to begin incorporating AI and automation into their daily operations.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

Topic Tags: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Optimization/Efficiency, Research Development, Workflow and Processes

SUNFLOWER

M12: AI Applied: A Hands-On Workshop for Research Administrators (WORKSHOP)

Jim Wagner

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer on the horizon — it's here, and research administrators are increasingly expected to engage with it. Yet many professionals in this field are working under institutional policies that limit access to the tools reshaping every other industry. This hands-on workshop cuts through the hype and puts you to work. Participants will hear directly from practitioners applying AI today across research administration — contract negotiation, budget development, compliance workflows, and more. They'll work hands-on with available tools, build reusable AI instruction frameworks ("skills"), and leave with practical ideas they can pilot within 90 days. No technical background required. Bring your laptop, your institutional knowledge, and your curiosity.

Knowledge Level: Basic, Intermediate

Topic Tags: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Budgets/Financial, Clinical Trials, Contract Negotiation

BELLFLOWER

M8: Navigating the Research Administration Regulatory Framework (WORKSHOP) (Continued)

Julie Cole, Betty Morgan

Research administrators are navigating an increasingly complex environment shaped by laws, regulations, Executive Orders, agency guidance, research security requirements, audits, and institutional policies. This workshop provides an overview of the research administration regulatory framework and explores how these requirements fit together to support institutional research activities.

Attendees will gain a better understanding of the broader regulatory landscape, where key requirements originate, and how various compliance, administrative, and operational responsibilities intersect across the research enterprise. Designed for both new and experienced research administrators, this session provides a foundation for understanding the regulatory environment that impacts day-to-day research administration.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

Topic Tags: Compliance, Research Security, Regulatory Environment, Professional Development 

REDBUD A

M13: Where Compliance Breaks Down: Preventing Costly Post-Award Mistakes Before They Happen (WORKSHOP)

Denise Wynn

Post-award issues rarely stem from one major error, they emerge from small breakdowns in communication, oversight, and process. This session examines where compliance actually fails in real institutional environments, from effort misalignment to delayed financial monitoring and weak internal controls. Participants will explore practical strategies to identify early warning signs, strengthen systems, and reduce institutional risk.    

Knowledge Level: All Levels

Topic Tags: Closeout, Compliance, Departmental, Workflow & Processes

REDBUD B

M10: Orientation to Research Administration (WORKSHOP) (Continued)

Charna Howson, Joy Dismukes 

This workshop provides a high-level introduction to the research administration ecosystem and the full lifecycle of sponsored projects. Participants gain clarity on key roles, essential terminology, and the processes that guide proposals from concept to closeout. By exploring funding mechanisms, budget development, compliance requirements, and post award management, attendees build a foundational understanding of how institutions support responsible, successful research. Interactive activities reinforce real world decision making and highlight the importance of communication, collaboration, and ethical stewardship throughout the research enterprise.                                                           

Knowledge Level: Basic/Introductory

Topic Tags: Budgets/Financial, Closeout, Compliance, Departmental

DOGWOOD A

M14: Navigating the NIH Environment: What Has Changed and What is Staying the Same (WORKSHOP)

Jenny Greer, Clark Phillips, Dr. Anika Dzerlenga, Dr. Abee Boyles, Molly Puente

In this interactive panel discussion, Program Officers (POs) and Grants Management Officers (GMOs) from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) will join forces with a Grants Systems Policy Analyst from the NIH Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration (OPERA) to guide attendees through the evolving landscape of NIH funding policies and procedures. Participants will receive a foundational overview of the NIH structure and the distinct roles of POs and GMOs, followed by a comprehensive review of critical NIH updates, including the Foreign Subawards Policy, websites consolidation, grant funding opportunity postings, and the transition to Common Forms. By clarifying which procedures have recently changed and which foundational policies remain steadfast, this session will equip research administrators with the insights needed to successfully "navigate the rapids" of the NIH environment, concluding with a dedicated Q&A session to address specific audience inquiries.

Knowledge Level: All Levels

Topic Tags: Agency specific (i.e. NIH, NSF, etc.), Budgets/Financial, Compliance