Advanced Grant Management (AGM)

About AGM

Advanced Grant Managers (AGM) is a certificate program for research administrators with a minimum of three years of experience in grant management and grant management duties greater than 50% of their position. 

AGM certification is required for grant managers in the following Duke Human Resources job classifications:

• Select Grant and Contracts Administrator (2647) tiers
  • Advanced
  • Senior 
  • Advanced Team Lead
  • Senior Team Lead
• Grants and Contracts Manager (2648)
• Senior Grants and Contracts Manager (2649)
• Research Administration Manager (2628)
• Associate Director, Research Administration (2629)

The AGM certificate program requires completing mandatory training, including projects, case studies, activities, and other assignments. Failure to complete assignments on time and demonstrate active engagement during classes may result in removal from the certification program. 

Participants must meet all certificate requirements within 12 months of enrolling in the AGM program.

Program Details

Eligibility Requirements

Interested employees must meet the eligibility requirements.

• Full-time employee of Duke University
• Completion of RAA Certification
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in grant management at Duke or other institutions
• Job duties greater than 50% must be directly related to grant management if AGM is not required for the position
• Supervisor approval to participate

Waiving Eligibility Requirements

OERAF requires a supervisor's recommendation to waive any eligibility requirements because the classes consist of advanced content. The recommendation should include why the certification is necessary and how the participant will contribute to the program. Supervisors will also be required to address how the participant’s experience has prepared them for AGM if they do not have three years of experience. OERAF reserves the right to deny entry to anyone who does not meet the minimum eligibility requirements.

Application Process

Complete the AGM application by the deadline for your intended start date. Application deadlines are distributed in the Research Insider and posted in MyRESEARCHpath Updates. 

Applications are accepted during designed registration windows for the Spring and Fall cohorts each year.  OERAF will review the submissions once the application window closes and notify all applicants of status.  Applications submitted outside of these windows will require resubmission.

The application is housed in Kuali Build. OIT has guidance information available on how to use the platform. Applicant submissions route to their supervisor for approval prior to receipt by OERAF.

Courses

AGM participants must attend all of the classes below: 

• Emotional Intelligence
• Effective Listening
• Decision Support
• Planning Strategies
• Thinking like an Auditor
• Problem-Solving in the Gray
• Internal Controls

Coursework

Some classes have required assignments before class or homework after the session. Participants must complete all assignments, assessments, or other activities.

Failure to complete any required coursework may result in an incomplete. Participants may be required to reattend the course, in addition to completing the missing coursework, before receiving credit. 

AGM certification will require the completion of a final Capstone project where participants develop an in-depth research administration case study utilizing the topics and skills learned in the AGM courses.  Participants must attend all classes before submitting their Capstone project.  

Capstone Project Presentations

The Capstone project is the opportunity to synthesize what you have learned in AGM and apply it to a real-world example. You will select one of six potential case studies to respond to using the skills and knowledge gained in the program. Projects are submitted as recorded presentations. A panel of your fellow AGM participants, Duke Research Administration community members, and OERAF instructors will evaluate your presentation. The panel will assess your ability to identify the problems outlined in your case study and how well you devised a response to said issues. You will also be evaluated based on presentation organization, ability to clearly engage and communicate your message, and quality of your response. 

Additional guidance and technical support is provided during the program. Also, OERAF offers optional open Office Hours sessions for people to ask questions or seek technical assistance with their capstone. 

Cohort Schedule

Spring Semester 2025 Cohort

Fall Semester 2025 Cohort

FAQs