STRIVE Tiered Program

The STRIVE tiered program is a comprehensive three-tiered training program designed to enhance skills and knowledge across the entire lifecycle of sponsored funding.

STRIVE Tiered Program applications now open

Applications for STRIVE training are now open and will close on August 15. Note that the supervisor acknowledgement form (linked under Eligibility Requirements) is required to submit your application.

Apply now!

Training program overview

The STRIVE tiered program offers training for demonstrated competencies and proficiencies in research administration at three distinct levels: Discovery, Management and Senior.

Program Length: Academic Year

Number of In-Person Sessions: 16 Two-Hour Sessions

The program's three-tiered approach follows participants through the learning process, starting with the basics of research administration and ending with hands-on learning experiences to innovate and improve upon real-life university research administration issues.

1. Discovery

STRIVE - Discovery introduces participants to the basics of research administration, federal regulations, USC’s policies and processes and the full life cycle of an award, from its creation to management.

STRIVE Discovery will meet on the following dates:

September: 18
October: 2, 9, 30
November: 6, 20
December: 11
January: 15, 29
February: 19, 26
March: 12, 26
April: 9, 23

Introduce key concepts and responsibilities in research administration
Develop core competencies across the lifecycle of the award
Learn key concepts in customer service and communication in research administration
Provide practical tools and resources for effective grant management
Learn AI foundational skills for application in research operations
Build a peer network of research administrators

Introduction to Research Administration and Lifecyle of the Award, USC Grants Ecosystem
Federal Regulations and Uniform Guidance
Finding Funding and Understanding RFPs, Introduction to Foundation Relations
Research Security Overview
Budgeting and Proposal Components
Proposal Submission & Award Setup and Negotiation
Controller’s Office & GFM Overview (Financial Management, Effort Reporting & Salary Cap Compliance, Subrecipient Monitoring and Contracts)
Research Compliance
AI in Research Administration and Operations
University Libraries Research Support Services
Strategic Communication, Leadership, and Customer Service
Managing Changes to Awards
Human Resources for Sponsored Projects
Final Projects

2. Management

STRIVE - Management provides comprehensive training across central, college and departmental research administration operations to help participants build their knowledge and skills aligned with the Certified Research Administrator (CRA) exam.

Once participants have completed STRIVE - Management, they are encouraged to join the CRA Study Hall.

STRIVE Management will meet on the following dates:

September: 17, 24
October: 8, 22
November: 5, 19
December: 10
January: 14, 28
February: 11, 25
March: 11, 25
April: 8, 22

Provide in-depth training across research administration functions, ensuring an understanding of how they intersect across the grants lifecycle
Prepare participants for the CRA exam by aligning with the curriculum with CRA competencies
Develop functional proficiency in tasks such as pre-award proposal support, budget development, cost accounting principles, etc.
Incorporate key concepts in customer service and communication in research administration
Learn AI foundational skills for application in research operations
Build cross-functional knowledge and collaboration skills through peer networking

Introduction, CRA Overview, & Institutional Structures: Central, College, and Departmental Roles
Strategic Communication, Leadership, and Customer Service in Research Administration
Federal Agencies, Identifying Funding Opportunities, & Interpreting RFPs
Proposal Assembly, Routing, and Submission, Federal eRA Systems
Award Mechanisms, Negotiation, and Acceptance
Changes During the Award and Prior Approvals
Research Security, Compliance & Regulatory Requirements
Legal Requirements, Acts, and Amendments Governing Research Management
Invoicing, Financial Reporting, and Cash Management
Subaward and Subrecipient Monitoring
Uniform Guidance & Cost Principles
Proposal Budget Development
Financial Oversight and Cost Allowability
Human Resources in Research Administration
Audit Readiness and Award Closeout
AI in Research Administration and Operations

STRIVE Management will cover the four following CRA Exam domains:

Collection and Dissemination of Information
1. Research Development
2. Proposal Development, Review, and Submission
3. Compliance
4. Subrecipient Monitoring
5. Account Management
Legal Requirements & Sponsor Interface
1. Research Ethics and Compliance
2. Sponsor & Award Terms and Conditions
3. Intellectual Property and Tech Transfer
Financial Management
1. Audit & Compliance
2. Award Administration & Monitoring
3. Billing & Reporting
4. Facilities & Administration
5. Procurement
General Management
1. Human Resources
2. Training & Professional Development
3. Institutional Service
4. General Office Management & Procedures
5. Contracted Services

3. Senior

STRIVE - Senior aims to elevate operational efficiency and encourage growth as impactful leaders through a blend of case studies, collaborative exercises, and hands-on activities focused on developing and optimizing standard operating procedures (SOPs), driving process improvement, and honing essential leadership skills related to research administration.

STRIVE Senior will meet on the following dates:

September: 17, 24
October: 8, 22
November: 5, 19
December: 10
January: 14, 28
February: 11, 25
March: 11, 25
April: 8, 22

Demonstrate strategic leadership in research administration
Diagnose and address operational challenges
Apply process improvement methodologies
Design, implement, and optimize SOPs in research operations
Strengthen communication and influence skills to lead effective decision-making in research operations
Learn AI foundational skills for application and implementation in research operations at USC

AI in Research Administration and Operations
Leading in the Research Administration Landscape
Operational Challenges & Opportunities in RA
SOPs 101- What, Why, How
Building and Mapping Effective SOPs
SOP Peer Review and Iteration
Process Improvement Frameworks
Identifying Root Causes and Measuring Impact
Piloting and Sustaining Change
Communication and Influence in RA Leadership
Decision-Making and Strategic Thinking
Coaching, Feedback, and Conflict Management
Leading Through Uncertainty and Change
Real-World Case Studies: #1 Fixing a Broken Process; #2: Leading Post-Award Reform
Leadership Showcase; Wrap-Up and Leadership Development Planning

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for STRIVE, participants must:

Be employed at USC Columbia, the USC schools of medicine in Columbia or Greenville, a four-year UofSC comprehensive institution or a USC Palmetto College campus.
Be a full-time staff employee in a research administration and/or grant management role.

Participants must also submit the STRIVE Training Program supervisor acknowledgment form.

Complete the supervisor acknowledgement form.

Participant Expectations

STRIVE participants are expected to:

Attend 16 two-hour in-person program sessions.
Commit to attend all scheduled sessions.
Demonstrate proficiency across STRIVE competencies during their time in the program.

Post-Program Opportunities

By completing the program, STRIVE participants will :

Gain skills covered in the Certified Research Administrator exam.
Earn a certificate of completion of the STRIVE Leadership Program in USC's talent management system.
Receive a warm welcome into the campus-wide STRIVE network, which is a community sharing the specialized expertise and skill sets of research administrators at USC.

Research Training and Education Services