Research Administration Academy (RAA)

About RAA

The Research Administration Academy (RAA) is designed to provide research administrators at Duke University with basic knowledge of the core principles of research administration and hands-on training in common grant management tasks. The RAA program is applicable to research administrators who perform essential tasks associated with proposal submission and grant management after the award. The Office of Education for Research Administration and Finance (OERAF) administers RAA and partners with the research administration community to ensure content aligns with current institutional needs. Key partners include Research Costing and Compliance (RCC), Office of Research Administration (ORA), Office of Research Support (ORS), Campus Awards Management Team (CAMT), Post-Award Financial Management (PAFM), Office of Post-Award Administration (OPAA), Office of Research, RACI-HR, and the Training Advisory Group (TAG).

The RAA program provides numerous benefits for both the employee and the institution. Employee benefits include the development of functional grant management skills and a clearer understanding of grant management responsibilities at Duke University. The investment by Duke University into its employees will provide the organization with a stronger employee commitment, a more stable and highly trained employee base, better information on which to make hiring decisions, increased support for Duke’s faculty, and improved financial controls.

RAA is open to any Duke University employee directly involved in managing sponsored research funds. However, employees who do not spend most of their duties supporting sponsored projects may find completing aspects of the program challenging.

Program Platform: Sakai

This program is managed virtually using the university's academic Learning Management platform, Sakai. Duke is in the process of converting to the Canvas platform instead of Sakai. The goal for the RAA transition to Canvas is Fall 2024.

Currently in Sakai, participants are provided a self-service portal to register for classes, review the schedule, submit homework, take quizzes, and monitor their progress independently. 

Visit the Sakai RAA Program Overview page to explore the system and access more information. 

Required Certifications

RAA certification is a requirement for research administrators in the following Duke Human Resources job classifications: Grants and Contracts Administrator (2647); Grants and Contracts Manager (2648); Senior Grants and Contracts Manager (2649); Research Administrator (2627); Research Administration Manager (2628); Associate Director, Research Administration (2629). Management centers may also require other individuals who work with sponsored research (for example, individuals in the Grant Manager 1 field identified in SAP) to be certified.

Employees required to have RAA should refer to HR requirements and plan with their manager to complete the program within 12 months of being hired or moving into a position requiring certification. OERAF requires program participants who are not required based upon their position to complete RAA (including the final exam) within 12 months of enrollment. OERAF will partner with the employee and manager to determine appropriate action, including enrollment termination or restarting all program requirements.

RAA Program Details

Eligibility

RAA is open to any Duke University employee directly involved in research administration. Participants will then complete Onboarding and applicable systems classes (SAP/SPS) during their first 60 days in the position. Upon completion of Onboarding classes, employees, in partnership with their supervisor, will select the most applicable certification track. 

Systems Access Requirements

• Sponsored Project System (SPS) 
• SAP 
• Grant Management tab in Duke@Work 

Application Process

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and you can start the program as soon as you receive approval. The employee initiates the online application form. The form routes to the employee’s manager for approval before routing to OERAF. We will review the application and notify employees of their official start date. Email us at ResearchFinanceEd@duke.edu if you have questions about the application process. 

Coursework

Classes may have required pre-work or post-work. You must complete all assignments in the designated time frame to receive credit for a class.

Failure to complete all required class components, such as full attendance, pre- or post-session homework, and quizzes, may result in repeating the class.

Learning Tracks 

Learning Tracks are subject-based specialties designed to recognize the differences in research administration roles across the University. RACI positions are required to complete one certification track to fulfill their HR requirement.

Applicants will be asked to choose a Learning Track and that selection will be subject to the supervisor's approval.

Current Tracks

• Pre-Award Administration Track
• Post-Award Administration Track
• Central Financial Administration Track (for PAFM and OPAA only)

Tracks in Development (Pilot underway)

• Clinical Research Certification Track
• Industry Sponsored Research Certification Track

Quizzes and Final Exam

Participants must complete a quiz after attending each certification track class. Quizzes must be passed with a mastery score of 80% or more within two attempts.  

RAA participants must also pass a final exam. The final exam will feature questions integrating concepts from all Onboarding, appropriate Systems, and Track classes and will require the application of learning to presented situations.  RAA participants can sit for the exam only after all course requirements have been met.

An RAA participant is certified when they pass the final exam with an 80% or greater score. Results below a passing score will be evaluated by OERAF and discussed with the employee and manager to determine appropriate next steps. 

Policies

Full details on program policies are available on the RAA Program Overview page. 

Any questions about RAA policies or questions about certification should be sent to ResearchFinanceEd@duke.edu.