Grant Management Training Courses
Whether you are new to grants management at BU, or just looking for a refresher on a specific topic, Sponsored Programs’ Training Resources will help guide you. We have self-service online training and resources, webinar recordings, quick videos, presentations, as well as live training opportunities.
Many of these resources are provided through different mediums- video recording, presentation slides, and e-modules. You are welcome to explore these via whichever learning style suits your needs best.
Overviews
Start with these resources to learn about grant management, and your role in it, at Boston University!
- The Fundamentals of Research Administration Series (Kerberos log-in required) is designed for Department Administrators managing grants, who are either new to BU Sponsored Research or require a refresher. The modules cover pre-award and post-award topics, demonstrating efficient and compliant best practices for each stage of the grant project lifecycle, as well as departmental and central roles & responsibilities. You can complete the entire curriculum to receive a certificate or you can pick and choose the topics of interest.
- BU Grant Management Best Practices has tips for grant management processes.
- Research Support Roles and Responsibilities Matrix lays out how everyone at BU works together to support sponsored projects, including SP staff, PIs, DAs, and other offices.
- The Post Award Onboarding Pack introduces you to award finance definitions, policies and resources.
- This Pre-Award Tips and FAQs document lays out common proposal mistakes and answers your proposal submission questions.
- BU Techweb regularly hosts trainings on BU Works, including grants management-specific Business Warehouse reporting.
Upcoming Grant Management Training Events
On the BU Events Calendar, you can find information about upcoming grant management training events!
Proposal Preparation and Submission Trainings
These tutorials walk through key concepts you will encounter throughout the pre-award phase of the project lifecycle, organized alphabetically.
Cost Share
Cost sharing is a financial commitment by the University toward the total cost of a project from a source other than the granting organization.
- Cost Share Presentation Slides (2020)
- Cost Share Case Studies
- Calculating Cost Share
- Department Administrator Forum: Cost Share and Cost Transfers (2023)
Facilities and Administrative Costs
Facilities and administrative (F&A) costs are costs that are not readily identifiable with individual projects, and are also called overhead or indirect costs. These resources explains what F&A (indirect) costs are and how they are calculated and applied to an award.
- F&A Video (2018)
- F&A Explained
- F&A and Fringe e-Learning Module (Kerberos log-in required).
Interpreting Award Numbers
Your NIH Award Number will be associated with your award from the moment the NIH assigns you this number, throughout the award’s lifecycle.
NIH Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR)
The RPPR is used by recipients to submit progress reports to NIH on their grant awards. PIs and DAs work together to complete the report, which Sponsored Programs then reviews and submits.
Notice of Award
Learn about common elements of federal and non-federal NoAs, including important information within them and who to contact with questions.
- How to Read a Notice of Award Video (2022)
- Receiving an Award e-Learning Module (Kerberos log-in required).
Pre- and Post-Doctoral NIH Fellowships
This information session focused on the NIH ‘F’ Series- specifically F31 and F32 awards.
- NIH ‘F’ Series – NRSA Guidance – Information Session Recording
- NIH ‘F’ Series – NRSA Guidance – Information Session Presentation
Proposal Development and Review
In addition to the technical elements of your proposal, BU and your sponsor will require additional submission documents, which will be reviewed by Sponsored Programs.
- Proposal Development and Review e-Learning Module (Kerberos log-in required).
Proposal Submission
Make sure you have all of the required documentation needed by BU and your sponsor prior to your submission deadline.
- Proposal Submission e-Learning Module (Kerberos log-in required).
Managing an Award Trainings
After the Fact Review
Conducting regular after-the-fact-reviews ensures the accuracy and completeness of financial transactions.
- After the Fact Review Webinar Recording (2020)
- BU Comptroller After the Fact Review Guidelines Webpage
Audit
The federal standards outlined in the Uniform Guidance (Subpart F – Audit Requirements) are intended to help the various federal funding agencies conduct consistent and uniform audits organizations that are receiving and expending federal funding awarded through grant and contract awards.
- Audit Webinar Recording (2020)
- Audit Presentation Slides (2020)
Award Ending
Be prepared to address the financial and non-financial responsibilities that come at the end of an award.
- Award Ending e-Learning Module (Kerberos log-in required).
Carryover and No Cost Extensions
In some situations, where you have remaining unspent funds near the end of a project period, you can use appropriate justification to request a carryover of those funds into the next budget period or a no cost extension to your project period.
Carryover and No Cost Extension Presentation Slides (2018)
Effort
Effort reporting is the mechanism used to confirm salaries and wages charged to sponsored awards are reasonable in relation to the actual work performed, learn about how BU tracks effort in accordance with Uniform Guidance.
- Effort Reporting Webinar Recording (2020)
- Effort Reporting Presentation Slides (2020)
- Effort Reporting e-Learning Module (Kerberos log-in required).
Four Cost Principles
Understand the four cost principles as outlined by Uniform Guidance
- Four Cost Principles Video (2017)
- Cost Principles e-Learning Module (Kerberos log-in required).
Postdoc Hiring and Onboarding
This webinar reviewed the hiring and onboarding of postdocs/students and the Visa process.
Postdoc Presentation Slides (2021)
Procure to Pay
Procure to Pay was discussed during the Fall 2023 DA Forum. This presentation covered the Procure to Pay reorganization, new travel management company, and export awareness.
Procure to Pay Recording and Resources (2023)
Salary Accrual
Explains salary accrual for Faculty on 9-month appointments and how it relates to the PAR and effort reporting.
- Salary Accrual Video (2018)
- Salary on Grants e-Learning Module (Kerberos log-in required).
Salary Cap
Brief introduction to the DHHS Salary Cap, what it means for faculty who are over the cap and work on a sponsored award, and examples of showing cost share on the PARPersonnel Activity Report You can find details about Per...
- Salary Cap Video (2018)
- Salary on Grants e-Learning Module (Kerberos log-in required).
Salary Cost Transfers
Defines cost transfer, when they are allowable, and what approvals/documents are required
- Cost Transfers e-Learning Module (Kerberos log-in required).
- Salary Cost Transfers Video (2017)
- Department Administrator Forum: Cost Share and Cost Transfers (2023)
SAP Terminology
When reviewing accounts or running reports, you will encounter these common terms and numbers.
Service Centers
Service Center Administration provides guidance and information concerning compliance with federal regulations and University policies and procedures as they pertain to service center operations.
- Service Center Coffee with Colleagues Session Video Recording (2022)
- Service Center Administration Presentation Slides (2022)
Subawards
Subawards are complex, legal documents that require careful consideration during proposal development, award setup, and award closeout.
- Subaward Webinar Recording (2020)
- Subaward Presentation Slides (2020)
Travel on Sponsored Awards
When using grant funding to travel for sponsored research, it is important to comply with the regulations set by BU and your sponsor.
- Travel on Sponsored Awards e-Learning Module (Kerberos log-in required).
- Travel on Sponsored Awards Policy