Through real-world examples, case scenarios, and opportunities for group discussion, attendees - particularly those working in research finance roles - will engage with peers, ask questions, and explore practical solutions to common challenges in research finance administration. Participants will begin with a deep dive into expense eligibility and compliance, examining how to interpret Tri-Agency and institutional requirements, navigate grey areas, and apply rules accurately using polling and audience participation. The workshop will then explore honorariums, focusing on when and how they may be used, distinctions from other types of payments, and best practices for documentation and processing to ensure compliance with sponsor and institutional policies. Building on operational efficiency, the session will also introduce uses of AI in research administration, highlighting emerging tools, potential workflow improvements, and considerations for responsible use. Finally, the workshop will address communication and training strategies for researchers and administrators, discussing practical methods for crafting clear guidance, developing accessible tools, and improving consistency and engagement across faculties and departments. Overall, the workshop is designed to promote shared learning, provide hands-on problem-solving, and equip participants with actionable insights to support effective and compliant research administration. Snjezana Cekrlija
Michael Walesiak
Mark Leslie
Melissa Joyce
The Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) program consists of nine provincial or regional Indigenous-led networks, with an additional network in the Yukon currently in development, that collectively strengthen research leadership and self-determination among Indigenous communities across Canada. Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), this $100.8M, 16-year investment (2020–2035) represents the largest federal commitment to Indigenous health research and remains the only initiative supported by all 13 CIHR Institutes. Announced in 2019 alongside the National Coordinating Centre (NCC), the NEIHRs function as autonomous networks that support Indigenous research environments driven by and grounded in the priorities, knowledges, and governance structures of Indigenous communities. As the tenth network in development, the Yukon NEIHR will provide an overview of how the 1973 Yukon Chiefs articulated a clear and enduring vision for Yukon First Nations research sovereignty. This vision asserts that Yukon First Nations set their own research priorities, select research partners, conduct research, and maintain ownership over past, present, and future knowledge produced about their Nations. The Yukon NEIHR is being developed in alignment with this long-standing vision to advance Yukon First Nations–led health research. Drawing from the existing “10 Calls to Action for Natural Scientists,” presenters will reflect on how institutional administrators can meaningfully support this vision in practice. Through an interactive activity, participants will work collectively to build on these Calls to Action and co-develop new guidance specific to institutional administrators as the Yukon NEIHR moves toward full operations. This collaborative dialogue will help clarify how institutional roles, policies, and practices can better align with and uphold Yukon First Nations research sovereignty. Complementing this focus, the NEIHR National Coordinating Centre, Saskatchewan NEIHR, and Québec NEIHR will highlight the urgent need for research administrators across Canadian universities to implement Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS) throughout all research processes. Grounded in the evolving scholarship on cultural safety (Erb & Loppie, 2022; Tahatikonhsontóntie’ Quebec Network for Indigenous Health Research, 2024) and shaped by national commitments to reconciliation—including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and related legislation—this portion of the workshop will examine how research administration systems, embedded within colonial institutions, create persistent barriers through restrictive policies, inequitable power structures, and culturally unsafe practices. Currently, there is evidence of a movement toward change, and some university administrators have made great efforts and gains to implement cultural safety in Indigenous research administration. Yet, several Indigenous researchers and administers still come up against roadblocks. Drawing on collective experiences across the NEIHR networks, presenters will illustrate how university bureaucracy, funding mechanisms, and administrative procedures frequently hinder Indigenous-led and distinctions-based research, even within programs expressly designed to support it. They will demonstrate how structural transformation, distinctions-based approaches, and relational accountability are essential in areas such as funding administration, communication practices, ethical processes, funding models, and hiring. The Calls to Action co-developed in this workshop through interactive exercises will outline tangible ways research administrators can use their institutional influence to dismantle systemic barriers, uphold Indigenous data sovereignty, cultivate respectful partnerships, and advance meaningful, culturally safe, self-determined Indigenous research. Other key questions for table discussion and co-development include: How are you implementing X and what difficulties do you still have? How and where have you or team started this work? Do you want to change things but don’t know how? Come learn and practice some tools for Indigenous decolonization in this workshop! The workshop will include multiple opportunities for participant engagement, including active movement and real situation role playing exercises where participants will practice thinking through and acting out roles for change; a world café–style breakout session; and group work focused on co-developing Calls to Action for institutional administrators across Canada and other key questions. AI will record the breakout sessions and group work to capture and compile, summarize, and present key bullet points back to the group for participants to takeaway learnings in real time. Works Cited Erb, T., & Loppie, C. (2022). Indigenous cultural safety in research framework: A supportive environment for Indigenous-led research. BC NEIHR. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca/bcneihr/wp-content/uploads/sites/4766/2024/04/FINAL_Indigenous-Cultural-Safety-in-Research-Framework_created-2022.pdf Tahatikonhsontóntie’ Quebec Network for Indigenous Health Research. (2024). Cultural Safety in Indigenous Health Research Context: Final report of the roundtable discussions. https://errsaqc-qcneihr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Cultural-Safety-in-Indigenous-Health-Research-Context.pdf Tara Erb
Leila Qashu
Ruth Nielsen
Ken Lai
Tammy Popova
This introductory workshop welcomes research administrators less than two (2) years in position. Its aim is to give a broad overview of the profession and the many interactions and intersections which administrators have to deal with to succeed in their mandate. Dominique Michaud
A College Best Practices Workshop that will explore 5 topics with experiences and examples shared. This Workshop will be ran by various Colleges and colleagues providing scenarios for roundtable discussions and open forum for how Colleges handle the following topics: 1) Onboarding of Research Staff and Students, 2) Inter-Departmental Collaboration, 3) Research Data Management and Research Security in the College Sector, 4) Financial/Budget Management and Reporting: a College perspective and 5) Proposal Management and Resources Rachel Brown
Vice-President, CARA | Manager, Finance Operations and Compliance, Niagara College Honorific awards are a specialized and strategic area of research administration. They recognize excellence, leadership, and impact, enhancing individual careers, institutional reputation and rankings, and global visibility. This workshop is designed for awards specialists who lead or support external award and nomination processes, providing an advanced, practice-focused space to share strategies, tackle common challenges, and strengthen a community of expertise. Participants will engage in interactive discussions and collaborative activities on topics such as: Adapting nominations to evolving research assessment frameworks Institutional strategies for quota-based awards and internal selection processes Workload management and resource allocation Internal peer review processes Effective canvassing and nominee identification Embedding equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility principles in awards processes DORA and impact in social sciences and humanities The session will feature breakout groups, roundtable exchanges, and participant-led micro-presentations to ensure rich engagement and practical takeaways. As external awards continue to play an essential role in elevating faculty profiles and institutional reputation, this workshop provides timely and relevant value to awards specialists seeking an advanced, practice-focused space to learn from and collaborate with colleagues across the country. Alignment with CARA strategic plan: This workshop directly supports CARA’s strategic priorities of Professional Development, Professional Excellence, and Communities of Practice. By creating a national forum for specialists in honorific awards (a niche yet critical area of research administration) the session fosters knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving. Participants will exchange best practices on complex processes such as quota-based nominations, EDIA-informed approaches, and evolving research assessment frameworks, advancing professional excellence across institutions. The interactive format strengthens engagement, ensuring members have a safe, inclusive space to learn and grow. In doing so, the workshop contributes to CARA’s vision of being the national body of knowledge and expertise in research administration while embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion in all discussions. Tanna Giroux
Erin O'Toole
Mona Rahman
Snežana Obradović-Ratković
Kinga Olszewska
Nancy Barajas Jaimes
Workplace engagement is essential for sustaining motivation, resilience, and well-being—especially in high-pressure roles like research administration. This interactive session explores what engagement means, why it matters, and how to overcome common barriers such as stress and burnout. Participants will learn practical strategies to maintain motivation, set boundaries, and build supportive networks. The workshop includes a reflective picture exercise, where attendees select an image that represents how they feel about stress and burnout, sparking discussion on personal experiences and coping strategies. Additional activities include ranking engagement drivers, creating a personalized engagement plan, and sharing tools such as professional associations, mentorship programs, and wellness resources. By the end of the session, participants will: • Understand key drivers and barriers to engagement. • Identify actionable steps to enhance resilience and workplace satisfaction. • Commit to ongoing reflection and peer support. Mike Folinas
Karen Mosier
This workshop will provide attendees with an understanding of how to practically apply science communication theory, tactics, and tools to maximize research visibility and encourage various forms of community and stakeholder engagement. Throughout the session, attendees will be introduced to key science communication principles, interwoven with examples of how these concepts can be put into practice to help ground their understanding. Attendees will use these core tenets as a framework for guided discussion and breakout sessions as a means of strengthening their understanding of how to increase research impact within their communities. Participants will practice identifying their specific audiences, crafting essential messages, using accessible language, and applying storytelling techniques to reach various non-specialist publics. By gaining an awareness of how science communication can be leveraged to create tangible change, attendees will be inspired to strengthen science communication competencies within their organizations in order to amplify research impact in meaningful and sustainable ways. Catherine Copley
Canada Research Chairs (CRC) are a cornerstone of Canada’s strategy to attract and retain top research talent. As the program grows in complexity—introducing continuous intake, evolving EDI requirements, and ambitious representation targets—administrators face increasing challenges in managing allocations, nominations, renewals, and compliance. Many institutions have small CRC program management teams, making it challenging to share expertise or benchmark practices internally. This 3-hour interactive workshop will bring together CRC administrators from across Canada to establish a community of practice and exchange practical strategies for managing the CRC portfolio effectively. Having reached out through the CARA listserv, we have engaged CRC administrators and managers from institutions across the country and confirming their willingness to attend and contribute to the conversation, potentially acting as panels. The session will feature short institutional presentations on topics such as institutional structures, allocation planning, and EDI stipend use, followed by a strategic combination of panels and breakout discussion tables on key topics identified by the community. Topics of interest brought up be the community include: Coordination of CRC progress reporting and equity target tracking Proposal development approaches across CIHR, SSHRC, and NSERC Institutional structures for allocations, nominations, and renewals Best practices for targeted searches and disclosure requirements Strategies for small and mid-sized institutions managing allocations Planning for renewals and sustaining research groups after the completion of a CRC. Participants will leave with actionable insights, peer-tested solutions, and new connections to support ongoing collaboration. This workshop directly supports CARA’s strategic priorities by fostering professional development, promoting professional excellence, and creating communities of practice for CRC administrators nationwide. Alda O'Grady
Erin O'Toole
Mika Johnson
Since Canada's association to Horizon Europe, research institutions across the country have been navigating the opportunities and complexities of participating in one of the world's largest research and innovation funding programmes. The aim of this session is to gather and exchange on the experience accumulated to date and to reflect collectively on future actions. Through facilitated discussion and peer exchange, participants will have the opportunity to share lessons learned from proposal development, consortium building, and grant management; identify common barriers and challenges encountered in engaging with Horizon Europe; and explore practical strategies and good practices that can support and strengthen future participation. The session also provides a good opportunity to continue a building a community of practice to serve as a platform for sharing expertise, developing support specific to Canadian institutions, and coordinating engagement with other stakeholders. Whether your institution has already secured Horizon Europe funding or is in the early stages of engagement, your experience and perspective are a meaningful contribution to this conversation. Participants are expected to have a basic understanding of the structure and funding mechanisms of Horizon Europe prior to attending this session. Karen Samis
Brice Rousseau
Clotilde Ribaut, PhD
Dr. Mark Phillipo
Managing change has become a constant in research administration—new systems, new policies, new priorities, often all at once. This practical workshop offers research administrators tools to navigate change with clarity, resilience, and a bit more confidence (and ideally a bit less stress). Drawing on the change leadership work of Rosabeth Moss Kanter, the Prosci ADKAR model, and adaptive leadership concepts from Ronald Heifetz, participants will explore how change unfolds in complex institutional environments. Through interactive exercises and real-world scenarios, participants will diagnose where change efforts get stuck, identify practical strategies for moving forward, and learn simple tools for managing stress along the way. Participants will leave with practical approaches they can use the next time a “small procedural update” turns into a major institutional change. Leslie Cove
As research becomes increasingly global, interdisciplinary, and impact-driven, universities and research administrators are under growing pressure to ensure that partnerships—particularly those involving Indigenous communities, Global South institutions, and community-based organisations—are not only compliant, but equitable, ethical, and mutually beneficial. Yet many institutions continue to rely on informal practices or compliance-driven approaches that fail to address persistent power imbalances around funding control, authorship, data governance, intellectual property, decision-making, and long-term reciprocity. This interactive workshop builds directly on the ACU’s session From Principle to Practice and provides participants with an extended, applied opportunity to engage with the Association of Commonwealth Universities’ (ACU) Equitable Research Partnerships Toolkit. Developed with universities, funders, Indigenous leaders and Global South partners across the Commonwealth, the toolkit moves beyond aspirational statements to offer concrete tools, reflective diagnostics, and institutional actions that can be embedded across the full research lifecycle—from partnership design and funding negotiations to governance, data sharing, authorship, impact, and sustainability. Designed for research administrators, partnership managers, contracts officers, ethics staff, and research development professionals, this workshop will move from principles to practice. Participants will work through real-world partnership scenarios, apply the toolkit to their own institutional contexts, and co-design strategies to strengthen policy, process, and culture. The workshop aligns with CARA’s strategic priorities of professional excellence, professional development, and communities of practice, and speaks directly to conference hot topics including EDI, Indigenous partnerships, decolonisation, partnerships, interdisciplinarity, and the unique role of research administration. Fariba Soetan
The three federal granting agencies, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) are collaborating on the Tri-agency grants management solution (TGMS), a major project to consolidate their grants management systems to better support applicants, administrators and reviewers. This session will provide CARA members with an update on the TGMS project, highlighting key design and development elements of the solution. Participants will learn about the progress on system configuration and user testing and plans to onboard funding opportunities in phases. Keywords: Digital transformation, Grants management, Tri-agency Robin Craig
Rawni Sharp
The ability to share data easily and legally is fundamental to research in Canada. In this presentation, we will identify key challenges institutions across Canada, face when negotiating Data Sharing Agreements. We will discuss how OHRI’s legal office has overcome these challenges by using templates and having “institutional deal breakers”. Drawing from previously negotiated agreements, we will highlight problematic clauses we have encountered such as: data and privacy provisions, data ownership, and governing law, and propose alternative language or approaches to negotiating these clauses. The aim of our presentation is to try to harmonize responses between institutions and promote working templates like the Governing Data and Biological Samples Transfer Agreement and the ACT Participating Site Agreement to increase efficiency and decrease processing time when negotiating Data Sharing Agreements. Julie Nguyen
Renee Todd
Collin Fletcher
This presentation will introduce the fundamentals of grant writing and budget development in a clear and accessible way. Participants will explore the many “hats” a researcher must wear throughout the process—including storyteller, grant writer, typesetter, proofreader, accountant, and reviewer. Drawing on baking analogies, the presenter will share practical tips and strategies for crafting a successful proposal - from following the recipe, to adding a secret ingredient, to decorating your finished product. Karen Mosier
According to various studies, it is common to observe that mid-career researchers experience one or two slowdowns in their research activities during their careers, often lacking training and support for this specific stage (Kenyon, 2020; Pickard-Smith, Ross, and Bonsall, 2023). Furthermore, the career path for mid-career researchers appears to lack clarity within universities. Several mid-career and senior researchers have asked for support regarding their research activities from the Vice-Dean of Research and the Creation of the Faculty of arts at UQAM. Some questions arise, such as: How can we facilitate reintegration into the world of funded research for a colleague who has faced numerous consecutive rejections from major funding agencies or whose life circumstances have forced them to suspend their research for a certain period? What types of support activities foster the revival of research, success and flourishing at this stage of the career? This presentation will outline the initial steps taken as part of a pilot program aimed at supporting professors further along in their careers, whether mid-career, senior, or in transition. Véronique Covanti
Ready to boost your research administration skills? How many times have you heard your organization’s leaders say “We need a strategy around this” or “We need to finetune our strategy”? Sounds like a job for the “higher ups”. Or is it? Strategy development is in fact everyone’s secret weapon for producing strong performance and driving organizational innovation to achieve impactful research. In this session which demystifies strategy development, we’ll share simple, real-world ways to create strategies that deliver. You’ll hear success stories, learn what works (and what doesn’t!), and swap ideas with colleagues. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and get down to work in this highly interactive session where we will apply a simple approach to address a real-world research challenge. Learning Objectives: • To define strategy, its key components and applications in research • To identify approaches and practices that can be used to develop successful strategies and to practice applying these skills Terry Campbell
Hamilton Health Sciences was ineligible to hold CIHR grants for many years. As most clinician-researchers are faculty at our affiliated university, any CIHR grants were applied for through that institution. As HHS has grown into one of Canada’s top research hospitals, we recognized the need to expand our funding portfolios and therefore sought to become a CIHR eligible institution. This presentation will focus on some of the background research we did around why it was important for HHS to become the primary grant holder for research occurring at our institution and with our patients, as well as some of the information required to become eligible to hold grants, how we found it, and what the outcome was. Lauren Gogo
Developing research agreements with Indigenous communities requires more than standard contracting practices—it demands thoughtful engagement, respect for Indigenous rights, and collaborative design processes that prioritize community ownership and benefit. This presentation explores practical approaches for creating and negotiating research-related agreements that meaningfully reflect Indigenous research principles, support reconciliation efforts, and embed inclusive, community-centered contracting practices. Drawing on insights gathered from experienced researchers and Indigenous community partners, we will examine strategies for translating ethical commitments into enforceable contractual language, including discussion of data governance, knowledge co-creation, intellectual and cultural property rights, benefit-sharing, and community oversight. The presentation will highlight common challenges—such as differing legal frameworks, timelines, and institutional expectations—and provide examples of negotiation practices that build trust, transparency, and shared decision-making. Attendees will explore practical tools for designing agreements that support Indigenous data sovereignty, respect local governance processes, and strengthen long-term research relationships. By centering community voices and lived experiences, this session aims to support administrators in crafting agreements that foster equitable collaborations and advance reconciliation in research practice. Jen Kyffin
Rachel Corder
Research which involves partnerships with community organisations and Indigenous peoples, in Canada and abroad, is increasing. Many institutions, including the University of Victoria, have identified research involving these partnerships as a priority. Both SSHRC and CIHR permit the transfer of funds to ‘non-eligible institutions’. There are numerous complexities that arise with these transfers regarding responsibility and accountability for compliance with Tri-Agency requirements. Where transfers are not permitted or payment to individuals is needed, institutional structures can be difficult to navigate and conflict with the values and intent of community-based research. This session will explore challenges, opportunities and solutions associated with facilitating community-based research within the institutional structure. Discussions will focus on transfer of funds to individuals and to organizations. This will be a highly interactive session. Be prepared to share and learn what’s tricky and what’s working with, and from, other institutions at your table and with the larger group. Fiona Cubitt
Alison McCluskey
Asifali Momin
Background The evaluation of complex research infrastructure proposals, such as those submitted to the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF), is underpinned by rigorous, multi-criteria assessments that demand significant time and specialized administrative expertise. To enhance the efficiency, consistency, and quality of the preliminary review process, this study investigates the potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) to serve as review assistants. The core objective was to determine an effective prompt engineering strategy that compels LLMs to align review outputs precisely with detailed CFI JELF reviewer guidelines. Methodology An initial draft prompt designed for a JELF proposal review assistant was created and subjected to an iterative optimization process. This draft was fed into four distinct, high-performance LLMs (Sonar, Claude Sonnet 4.0, Gemini 2.5 Pro, and GPT-5, including 'Thinking' variants for Claude Sonnet 4.0 and GPT-5 models), instructing each to: Review the prompt below and make suggestions for improvement. Generate a new prompt document based on the suggestions. The six revised prompts generated from this process were then used to evaluate a single, standard “test” JELF proposal. The resulting review outputs were rigorously compared for depth, accuracy, and relevance using a two-pronged evaluation methodology: an LLM-as-a-Judge approach and human expert assessment, both anchored to the official CFI JELF unaffiliated reviewer guidelines. Conclusion The models vary in their ability to refine the initial prompt and subsequently generate sufficiently detailed, actionable reviews. Less effective models produced only high-level summaries, while high-performing variants, particularly the GPT-5 Thinking and Claude 4.0 models, produced highly structured prompts and outputs. The outputs from the top-performing models consistently included criterion-by-criterion ratings, executive summaries, explicit identification of strengths and weaknesses, a gap-to-standard checklist, and detailed budget validation. The study shows that implementing an LLM self-optimization loop for prompt refinement is a highly effective methodology for developing specialized research administration tools, resulting in a Final Detailed Prompt that yields reviews notably more accurate, comprehensive, and relevant to complex funding criteria than the initial draft. This approach demonstrates a path for integrating AI into high-stakes administrative tasks. Ibironke Popoola
Paolo Mussone
The three federal granting agencies, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) are collaborating on the Tri-agency grants management solution (TGMS), a major project to consolidate their grants management systems to better support applicants, administrators and reviewers. This session will provide CARA members with an update on the TGMS project, highlighting key design and development elements of the solution. Participants will learn about the progress on system configuration and user testing and plans to onboard funding opportunities in phases. Keywords: Digital transformation, Grants management, Tri-agency Robin Craig
The University of Ottawa is transitioning from a legacy awards management system to a modern, integrated solution to enhance research administration. To guide this initiative, we conducted an environmental scan in collaboration with U15 institutions to benchmark research administration systems and identify sector-wide trends. The scan revealed common challenges across Canadian research-intensive universities: fragmented systems, manual processes, limited integration, and outdated platforms nearing end-of-life. These issues hinder efficiency, reporting capabilities, and user experience, creating barriers to strategic research management. Emerging trends show a clear shift toward integrated electronic Research Administration Systems (eRAS) that provide vendor-supported modules, automation, and intuitive dashboards—not only for administrative staff but also for researchers. Institutions are prioritizing interoperability with HR and finance systems, scalability, and advanced analytics to support compliance and informed decision-making. Key lessons learned include the critical importance of integration to reduce duplication and errors, automation and smart forms to streamline workflows, and user experience as a driver of adoption. Robust reporting capabilities emerged as a strategic need for performance monitoring. Additionally, early planning for data migration and phased implementation were identified as essential to mitigate risk. Finally, evaluating vendor maturity and ensuring exit strategies are vital to avoid lock-in and maintain flexibility. This presentation will share uOttawa’s findings and engage a discussion on best practices for modernizing research administration tools. By sharing our results and facilitating a conversation between colleagues, we aim to support colleagues who are planning similar transitions, promote collaboration, and position institutions for long-term success in an evolving research landscape. Gaelle Stukart Parsons
Céline Marie
The University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine’s Grant Development Office launched the Research funding Immersive Support and Education (RISE) program in spring 2024 to strengthen grant development capacity among early career researchers and create a community of support for these new investigators. Using the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant as a model, the RISE program provides a structured, year-long experience combining half-day workshops and self-directed learning. The program aims to foster effective grant writing practices, enhance understanding of internal and external funding requirements, and connect participants to existing resources while cultivating a supportive research community. Throughout the program, participants apply their learnings to the development of their own CIHR Project Grant applications. At the end of the program, participants can submit their applications to the CIHR Project Grant competition, as well as a RISE seed funding competition. In this presentation, we will share lessons learned and outcomes from the inaugural 2024/25 cohort and how we have refined the program for the 2025/26 cycle. We will also share suggestions for how research administrators at other institutions and faculties might develop similar programs to support their researchers. Brandi Povitz
The adoption of Generative AI (GenAI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT) is increasing exponentially across white-collar workplaces. While organizations like The Conference Board of Canada may post convenience surveys and publish data about how and when such tools are in use across a variety of sectors and disciplines, there’s relatively little data grounded in any given specific industry or sector, other than broad strokes about the impact of such tools on e.g. customer service, and certainly much less about our discipline. Of course, given the explosion of AI, similar initiatives are underway, such as the AI in Research Operations Network (AIRON) planning a survey in early 2026 (“State of AI in Research Operations”), but when we conceptualized this study (“Tool or Trend”), it appeared to be one of the earliest efforts focused on a single institutional workforce’s uptake of Generative AI. Aware of the need for context-specific data that broader national surveys cannot provide, researchers at the Office of Technology Transfer and Industrial Liaison, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute will distribute a survey at Sinai Health Research (at Sinai Health System, a teaching and research hospital in Toronto), to explore disposition toward and use of such tools as related to research related administrative tasks. To be distributed in early 2026 to approximately 1200 individuals (including administrative, lab, senior managers, discovery scientists, students, etc. staff at Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, clinician researchers and their support staff, and health systems researchers), this cross-sectional, anonymized REDCap-based survey has questions that explore perceptions of value and barriers to uptake for both people who are and who are not using GenerativeAI tools in the performance of research administrative tasks. Survey questions include how such tools are being used, perception of efficacy, frequency of use, perceptions of what skills one has or needs to use such tools, as well as questions on success, concerns, and frustrations, risk, and overall perception of the impact of such tools. We will also ask about job tenure, role, concerns about job security, age, and gender, in order to create a robust snapshot of an actually existing workforce trying to make sense of Generative AI application in real time in a real setting. This study will enable benchmarking against both local institutional practices and the emerging scholarship on digital mediation in administrative contexts, offering a meaningful point of comparison for peer institutions. Practically speaking, for research administrators, we hope it establishes a baseline for understanding and building up practice – where best these tools can lend support as well as what tasks might better be left to humans, as we will be asking about a broad range of kinds of uses (project management, summarizing text, planning, budgeting, creating visuals, drafting annual departmental reports, drafting reference letters, formatting data, troubleshooting computer operations problems, etc.) In our presentation, we will present our preliminary data analysis and be able to engage the audience by on the spot straw polls to compare with our findings. Claire Major
Sandeep Dhaliwal
Unity Health Toronto recently underwent an extensive process to develop a Responsible Research Assessment Framework that will be used to evaluate the performance of Scientists at our research institute. We will present our approach in co-designing this new framework with our Scientists, which is informed by the SCOPE framework for research evaluation. Samar Saneinejad
Mahfam Janbakhsh
Erica Conte
This session invites participants to engage in a conversation on how NSERC program staff communicate and manage change with institutions throughout the funding opportunity (FO) lifecycle. As we focus on improving current delivery practices and prepare for future platform changes, the agency is re-examining current delivery methods with the goal of providing simpler and more effective support for institutions and, indirectly, applicants. Cette séance invite les personnes participantes à discuter de la façon dont le personnel des programmes du CRSNG communique et gère le changement avec les établissements tout au long du cycle de vie des possibilités de financement. Nous cherchons à améliorer les pratiques actuelles et nous nous préparons à de futurs changements de plateforme. L’organisme réexamine donc nos méthodes actuelles dans le but d’offrir un soutien plus simple et plus efficace aux institutions et, indirectement, aux personnes candidates. Kristen Cavanagh-Ray
Centralized research project management has become an increasingly valuable strategy for institutions seeking to better support researchers while also minimizing institutional risk. In recent years, a variety of centralized project management models have emerged, tailored to the varying needs of the institution and its researchers. Alongside improving institutional efficiency and compliance, these models also support growth and development of the research support staff, strengthening collaboration and cultivating robust research ethos across an institution. By investing in people as well as processes, centralized project management creates a culture that values shared learning and continuous improvement. This panel session will bring together four leaders from institutions with varying sizes and structures of centralized research project management offices, each offering a distinct approach to supporting research teams. Through discussion of their models, challenges, and successes, attendees will gain practical insights into how centralized project management support can enhance research effectiveness while delivering people-centered support that elevates the overall research environment. In addition, the session will address strategies for establishing, funding and scaling these models at other institutions. Ultimately, this session will provide a comparative lens to inform future development or refinement of centralized research support systems. Panelists will include: Rachel Bair, Manager, Research Programs, The Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners; Russell Bonaguro, Project Manager, Lead - Research Project Management Unit at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute; Manjinder Cheema, Manager, Institutional Programs, University of Victoria; Kimberly Sivak, Associate Director, Research Management, Simon Fraser University. The session will be moderated by Robyn Roscoe, Principal of Lyric Management. Kimberly Sivak
Russell Bonaguro
Rachel Blair
Manjinder Cheema
Robyn Roscoe
What if mentorship wasn’t just a nice-to-have - but a strategic lever for stronger teams, deeper engagement, and more impactful learning? In this interactive session, we’ll explore how intentional mentorship can build individual capacity, strengthen relationships across roles and levels, and foster collaborative cultures where both people and ideas thrive. Drawing on our work at SAIT’s ARIS Hub, we’ll share how a focused mentorship model - designed to support researchers in working with students - led to greater mentor confidence, stronger student engagement, and a more connected learning community. Through myth-busting, real stories, and hands-on reflection, we’ll unpack: What mentorship is (and isn’t) - and how it differs from supervision or coaching How mentorship strengthens engagement, connection, and impact Practical ways to embed mentorship within teams, departments, and institutions Participants will leave with fresh insights and a practical action item to strengthen mentorship in their own context - whether within a team, a department, or across an institution. Tiana Fech
Teresa Bent
Research data support services at universities are often siloed, which causes inefficient duplication of services and significant gaps in programming (MacDougall and Ruediger, 2024). In a recent research data management survey at Queen’s University, a research-intensive postsecondary institution in Ontario, a significant proportion of respondents indicated that they are unaware of the research data services available at the institution, and most have not accessed support (Donald et al., 2024). There is a need for a strategic, unified approach to providing data support services to ensure researchers have access to the tools and resources they need to comply with funder requirements and other obligations and enhance good stewardship of data in an evolving research ecosystem. In light of this, colleagues collaborating in the areas of research data management (RDM), information science, information technology and high-performance computing at Queen’s, have considered opportunities to improve support services in various ways. For instance, maintaining relationships with stakeholders through RDM-related work, conducting ongoing evaluations of research community perceptions and needs, and engaging in targeted education and training aid in furthering the goal to provide robust support services and enable researcher and research staff awareness of said services. This session will describe actions taken at Queen’s to enhance the coordination of research data services and highlight intended next steps. In this interactive session, participants will have an opportunity to contribute to group discussions, to share their insights, gains and challenges in this work at their institutions. Participants will expand their professional expertise through collective sharing and peer-to-peer learning. Rebecca Pero
Research generates an enormous amount of information about people, places, and research outputs distributed across many different software systems. Persistent Identifiers (PIDs) – long-lasting digital references to People (e.g., researchers), Places (e.g., universities), Publications, and more – interlink this information, enabling the long-term findability, accessibility, interoperation, and reuse of academic work. In this session, John Aspler (Canadian PID Community Manager, CRKN), Lee Wilson (Director of Research Data Management, the Alliance), Guy Harding (Director of Information Systems, CFI), and Kelly-Anne Maddox (Senior Research Advisor, uOttawa and a CARA Board Member) will provide an update on the National PID Program and Strategy, highlighting significant advances toward the integration of exciting new PID implementations across our national funder systems. The session will be on two novel PID use cases: 1) Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) for Awards/Grants; and 2) the Research Activity Identifier (RAiD) for Projects. Incorporating the perspectives of the PID Program Leads, Funders, and Research Administrators, this session will explore what it means to apply PIDs to Grants and Projects, and the benefits to and roles of Research Administrators concerning these two emerging use cases. John Aspler
Lee Wilson
Guy Harding
Kelly-Anne Maddox
As the Canadian research landscape evolves, colleges and polytechnics are facing new and urgent expectations around research security—often without the large administrative and financial infrastructures available at universities. In this session, SAIT will provide a practical, scalable roadmap for building a research security framework tailored to the realities of applied research environments, where projects move quickly, involve multiple external partners, and include student participation. The presenter will share adaptable templates, including a risk-assessment model and checkpoint strategies for visiting researchers, contractors, and industry partners. The session will also outline essential components of data governance, highlighting how to protect sensitive information and intellectual property while maintaining an innovative-friendly environment. A key focus will be integrating research security measures into existing workflows—such as project intake, contracting, and lab operations—without creating unnecessary administrative burden. Strategies for scaling policies with limited staff, leveraging cross-departmental collaboration, and building a culture of security awareness across faculty, students, and industry partners will also be explored. By the end of the session, attendees will have practical tools to develop an actionable framework they can implement immediately, regardless of their institution’s size or the maturity of their research security program. Erika Barrios
Oscar Njiru
A thought-provoking exploration of the implications of data scraping in a world changed by AI. What is public data anyway? This session delves into the concept of Public Data as seen under both the academic research and general lens. We'll discuss the impacts of accessing and collecting data as well as the knock-on effects of using machine learning models trained with it. Factors such as privacy, cybersecurity, copyright, legislation, acceptable use, and applicable organizational policy all factor into this complex topic. In a time when many are looking for simple answers, the situation is anything but simple. While some desire to collect data, others are seeking ways to prevent their data from being scraped in the first place, or at least get their lawyers involved after the fact. Scott Baker
Senior research administrators look back on how our jobs have evolved and - crowd sourcing from the audience - where we will be in the future. David James Phipps
Representatives from the NSERC/SSHRC Finance team will an update on: the NSERC/SSHRC financial monitoring process including findings from reviews; annual reconciliation exercise (Forms 300 and 301) and GRF/GGSF; TAGFA updates; best practices when requesting grant amendments; other topics, as brought forward in Q & A or in advance of the session. This presentation draws on experience administrating international research as a small institution to describe practical strategies for managing equitable cross-cultural partnerships. It examines interrelated themes: building collaborative relationships, administering research across diverse cultural and contextual landscapes, leveraging technology for capacity building and shared learning, and navigating data governance and research ethics across borders. Adaptive management is presented as a way to foster meaningful engagement by centering local staff and partners as guides for culturally appropriate planning and researcher connections, while digital tools are shown to strengthen international collaboration and help address the practical and ethical complexities of cross cultural research. Building on first hand experience and lessons learned, this presentation will offer practical and adaptable tools for institutions managing international research partnerships, emphasizing relationship building, local leadership, strategic use of available technology, and ongoing respectful dialogue to strengthen research partnership outcomes. Alrika Rojas
Jodi Dueck-Read
Most Canadian postsecondary institutions are familiar with the Research Support Fund (RSF) and how it provides them support for the indirect costs of research. However, there are many nuances of the RSF program that can pose administrative challenges or points of confusion for an institution. During this session, we will attempt to demystify some of the more complex aspects of RSF administration and understand how others are handling RSF challenges. Topics that may be covered include RSF allocations, credit lists, reporting, and roles, as well as the Incremental Project Grants and Research Security streams. This will be an interactive session -- be prepared to share how your institution addresses some of these challenges (or doesn’t) in small table discussions and via in-session polls. Note that this session will be most helpful for those already somewhat familiar with the RSF program, as we will be digging into its nuances rather than providing a general program overall. Kimberly Sivak
Fiona Cubitt
In the high-stakes world of research administration, the pressure to ensure compliance, efficiency, and accountability can easily lead to micromanagement — often with unintended consequences. This presentation challenges that instinct, showing how stepping back strategically can unleash creativity, ownership, and performance in research support teams. Drawing on leadership theory, organizational psychology, and real-world examples from research offices and applied research groups, we’ll explore how trust-based management transforms team dynamics. Participants will learn how to recognize the subtle signs of overcontrol, implement structures that promote autonomy without sacrificing rigor, and create a culture of shared accountability. Through interactive discussion and case scenarios, attendees will leave with practical tools to: Foster intrinsic motivation and psychological safety. Clarify expectations without controlling the process. Build adaptive, resilient teams that thrive in uncertainty. By the end, research administrators will see that empowerment isn’t the absence of leadership — it’s leadership at its most effective. When we stop managing every move, our teams start achieving what once seemed impossible. Jamie McInnis
Teresa Bent
CFI Post Awards Administration Managing CFI-funded projects can feel complicated, especially when post-award questions fall into grey areas. This session takes a practical look at the key challenges that come up when administering CFI awards. Using real examples representatives across institutions can discuss common issues related to eligibility, partner contributions, reporting, and documentation. Participants can discuss what can go wrong, what auditors look for, and what documentation is needed. The goal is simple: help research administrators build confidence, avoid audit findings, and apply CFI guidelines consistently. Angela Zeno
Melissa Squires
Angela Luciano
With headlines like Here’s Why AI May Be Extremely Dangerous or The Quantum Threat to Encryption and Quantum Computers Just Broke RSA Encryption or AI Fears Become Reality In The Tech Industry one might just start to panic. Instead of such sensationalism, we will explore the topic from a more realistic footing. Starting with some background about how both AI and Quantum computing actually work and what we currently have in terms of technology. We'll explore some of the current claims and establish a more realistic baseline for current technology. Finally we'll review what you should actually be thinking about when it comes to both these areas. Scott Baker
Research finance professionals in universities face increasing complexity in managing compliance, sponsor reporting, and audit readiness, in addition to an ever-increasing list of other challenges. These challenges demand more than the traditional approach—they require collaborative spaces for shared learning and problem-solving. This session introduces Lean Coffee, a structured yet informal discussion format that empowers participants to set the agenda, prioritize topics, and engage in time-boxed conversations. When combined with the principles of a Community of Practice (CoP)—shared domain, community, and practice—Lean Coffee becomes a catalyst for building a sustainable network of professionals who learn from each other and co-create solutions. The presentation will: • Explain the Lean Coffee process and its adaptability for professional groups. • Demonstrate how CoP principles enhance Lean Coffee sessions. • Share practical benefits for research finance teams. • Generate and discuss examples of discussion topics such as grant compliance, budgeting strategies, sponsor reporting, audit readiness, technology tools, and policy updates. • Co-develop how we’ll get started, including meeting cadence Goal: This session will serve as the launchpad for a Community of Practice for research finance professionals, creating an ongoing forum for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement. It will complement existing practices/structures including CARA conferences, webinars, and email groups. Mark Leslie
Melissa Joyce
Generative AI is no longer just a tool for drafting text – its role in research administration is rapidly evolving across the entire lifecycle, from building research partnerships and developing proposals to supporting compliance, negotiating agreement, managing data, and mobilizing knowledge. Beyond streamlining workflows and enhancing strategic decision-making, it also has the potential to redefine team roles and influence organizational structures. This session will provide an up-to-date overview of how generative AI is being applied in research administration in 2026, spotlight emerging trends, and showcase global examples of AI integration. We will explore the practical benefits - such as improving efficiency, creativity, and responsiveness - alongside risks, limitations, and ethical considerations, including data security, privacy concerns, accuracy, equity, and evolving funder guidance. Participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences, concerns and ideas. The session will conclude with a discussion of possible next steps for our research administration community, including guideline development, training priorities, and pilot initiatives. Whether you are already using AI regularly or just beginning to explore its possibilities, this presentation will offer practical insights and a balanced perspective to support informed, responsible adoption. (Author’s Note: The idea, main points and structure of this abstract were developed by the author. Microsoft Copilot was used to check grammar and refine wording for clarity and readability.) Leila Tang
The CFI will share upcoming news and discuss ongoing activities. We will provide highlights from the 2025 Innovation Fund, talk about the 2027 competition and share relevant updates about our other funding programs, including infrastructure support to the Federal government’s International Talent Attraction strategy. As always, we encourage discussions, feedback and questions from participants. Sharyn Farlinger
Patrick Pilot
Stephane Leroux
Get ready to take your presentations to the next level! Whether you are preparing for your first CARA session, leading a workshop on your campus, or sharing updates with your team, strong presentation skills are a must for every research management administrator. This interactive session will give you the tools and confidence to design and deliver presentations that connect with your audience and leave a lasting impression. This session will provide participants with practical frameworks for developing and delivering effective presentations. Together, we will explore how to create participant-centered presentations that address the unique needs of adult learners, write strong learning objectives that guide your content, and use visuals effectively to reinforce your message. You will also practice simple communication and self-awareness techniques that enhance delivery in both in-person and virtual environments. By applying these approaches, research management administrators can increase the clarity, confidence, and impact of their presentations, contributing to stronger knowledge sharing and professional practice within the field. By the end of this session, you will be equipped with strategies you can apply immediately—whether presenting to 10 people or 100—to engage your audience, strengthen your delivery, and achieve your desired outcomes. Shannon Sutton
Diane Hillebrand
"Industry-academic collation is an essential driver of innovation and economic growth, accelerating the translation of cutting-edge research into real-world applications. However, connecting corporate partners to on-campus expertise can be challenging. This presentation features real-world case studies from the Ohio Innovation Exchange (OIEx) and the University of Toronto, demonstrating how these organizations have adopted proactive strategies to manage, analyze, and showcase their research and experts through the corporate lens. Research institutions can accelerate their engagement with external partners through leading-edge research management and analysis tools, helping users navigate their institutional network, faculty expertise, and specialized labs and equipment. By transforming fragmented information into an accessible, discoverable ecosystem, academic organizations increase their ability to obtain new awards and funding, promote assets for fee-for-service, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. We will explore solutions from Digital Science that take advantage of automation, support data analysis, and leverage generative AI to help research institutions maximize their intellectual property, drive visibility, and support economic development." Alexandra Winzeler
Join Us for a Conversation on Overhead and Administration Fees in Research Funding Mark and Melissa invite you to an interactive discussion on how institutions manage overhead (indirect) costs and administration fees. We’ll explore: • Does your institution have an overhead policy, and is the rate flexible? • How do you handle funders that exclude overhead and only allow administration fees? • How are administration fees incorporated into budgets and reported to meet funder requirements? • Are administration fees allocated according to your overhead policy? • How do you manage researcher and faculty expectations throughout the grant lifecycle? Melissa Joyce
Mark Leslie
Building on the high-level overview provided in the session “Mitacs: Transforming Processes and Elevating the Client Experience”, this hands-on workshop invites participants to actively explore the new application portal from the perspective of applicants and research administrators. Designed to be highly interactive, the session will guide attendees through key components of the portal’s interface, navigation, and workflows. Participants will have the opportunity to walk through core functionalities, engage with sample scenarios, and provide direct feedback on usability, clarity, and areas for future development. The session will also create space for attendees to identify features or resources that would be most valuable to their institutions and to share insights shaped by their own operational contexts. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with a clearer grasp of the portal’s capabilities - and a voice in shaping its next phase of improvements. Arija Batura
Communicating research impact and achievements is a strategic priority for many parts of the research ecosystem including senior administration of higher education institutions, funders, governments, policy-makers, industry, community partners and researchers themselves. Research offices (ROs)occupy a unique position in “comms” efforts and take on many roles. ROs often identify success stories, train researchers to communicate findings, shape funding proposals for different audiences and more. This session will draw on the experience, challenges and success of a number of research offices. The session will share experiences and pose questions on: relationships with university communications departments; internal vs external audiences; RO control over own website or social media; accessing faculty member information; the items that tend to have the most communications impact; tracking results of proposed Knowledge Mobilization plans in research proposals and more. Stewart Fast
Dana Chamot
This session will provide a snapshot of the three-year journey of the Civic Innovation Lab, a non-profit society that supports research partnerships between the City of Burnaby in the province of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. The presentation will highlight lessons learned in the unique and successful municipal-academic research collaboration and explore what has contributed to the Lab’s success, from research design to implementation. It will also offer insights into building and maintaining such partnerships in a political landscape. Participants will also have an opportunity to work together as a group and ask questions directly to the Civic Innovation Lab staff. Through the above, this presentation offers an update to the previous presentation on the Civic Innovation Lab, presented in NL shortly after the Lab was first incorporated; thus, this talk offers an opportunity of continued professional development for individuals interested in learning of the Lab’s progress since. Kilim Park
Rebekah Mahaffey
Abdul Zahir
Canadian universities increasingly use internally funded research chair programs to offset funding gaps, retain top talent and create before/after pathways for externally funded Chairs. UBC Okanagan’s Principal’s Research Chairs (PRC) program successfully advanced research excellence and strategic alignment, delivering strong ROI and mentorship benefits. However, challenges emerged, including faculty financial strain and limited recruitment engagement. Building on these lessons, UBCO launched a new internally funded Chairs program focused on impactful research, mid-career retention, EDI integration, and structured support through two tiers—Established and Emerging Scholars. This session will highlight lessons learned, review program outcomes, and invite participants to discuss transferable strategies for sustainable, impactful research-chair initiatives. Pierre Rondier
Nicole Bennett
Mitacs is pleased to release its new Strategic Plan 2026-2030: Talent and Research Powering Innovation. At the heart of the strategy is a bold vision for a strong and resilient Canadian economy powered by ideas, talent, and innovation. The new strategy builds on Mitacs’ highly successful model and reaffirms the mission to drive industry-academic collaboration, deploy skilled talent, and build innovation capacity to strengthen Canada’s productivity and global competitiveness. A key focus of the strategic plan is Operating with excellence and continuing our efforts to transform our processes and client experience with a modern digital platform: Mitacs Plus. Participants will be guided through the Mitacs Plus application portal’s latest features, the progress achieved since initial launch, and the forthcoming enhancements designed to streamline workflows and improve transparency for applicants and research administrators. Arija Batura
This workshop will provide research office staff with skills and confidence to support applicants in the preparation of robust budgets as part of funding applications. We will explore differences and requirements among diverse funding sources, explore the use of templates and guides, and share tips and best practices that will lead to more complete and realistic budgets. Participants can expect to take away at least 5 new ideas that will assist them in their proposal development and review work. Key outcomes: Align funding requirements with appropriate funding opportunities. Compose funding proposals with key considerations including: budgeting, human resources, financial management, reporting and impact enhancement/commercialization of research. Plan for human resource considerations that are relevant to multiple phases of research, including: proposal development, project scope, project lifecycle, and post-project. Manage detailed project budgets that are aligned with project timelines. Improve mathematical operations accurately. Apply a systematic approach to solve problems. Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems. David Bruce
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the digital landscape of higher education and research administration, offering new possibilities for digital efficiency, innovation, and informed decision‑making. The purpose of this study was to examine how AI is currently being integrated into academic and administrative workflows, drawing on a systematic review of fifty scholarly articles, policy papers, and institutional guidelines. Our analysis highlights the diverse digital applications of AI, from generative tools for writing and proposal development to machine learning for predictive analytics and natural language processing for student services. While these digital technologies promise significant benefits, they also raise critical ethical and legal concerns, including academic integrity, algorithmic bias, data privacy, and transparency. We argue that AI should be viewed as a supportive digital tool rather than a replacement for human expertise. Successful adoption requires robust governance frameworks, digital literacy, and inclusive policies that prioritize fairness and accountability. Our work highlights the need for deeper qualitative insights into institutional perspectives on AI. Future research should include interviews and surveys with academic administrators to understand policy development, readiness, and perceived risks and benefits. Comparative studies across institutions and regions could reveal variations in adoption strategies and governance frameworks. Additionally, research should explore the impact of AI on equity, academic integrity, workforce roles, and the effectiveness of training programs designed to build digital literacy. These steps will help shape evidence‑based guidelines for ethical and sustainable AI integration in higher education. Polina Baum-Talmor
Alexandra Kindrat
Implementing equitable clinical trial access across a large and diverse region requires intentional planning, strong partnerships, and adaptive operational design. Drawing on our experience implementing the CRAFT model at the Shirley & Jim Fielding Northeast Cancer Centre in Sudbury, Ontario, this session will highlight how we used the Canadian Cancer Clinical Trials Network (3CTN)’s CRAFT framework to facilitate the expansion of clinical trials and enhance research capacity across Northern Ontario. Participants will gain insight into the collaborative processes, virtual coordination tools, and administrative frameworks that formed our multi-site strategy, along with the achievements and ongoing challenges faced in aligning ethical pathways and managing logistics in remote environments. The session will also outline our vision for CRAFT 2.0, including satellite expansion and system-level improvements to further equitable participation in oncology trials. Attendees will leave with practical lessons and strategies applicable to institutions pursuing similar decentralized models. Gillyan Gravelle
Navigating the hiring of research personnel can be complex, and research administrators often find themselves mediating institutional policies, practices, and collective agreements over which they have limited influence. Doing this effectively requires adaptability and strong collaboration across the Office of Research Services, institutional units such as Faculties, Human Resources, and Finance, and, in some cases, external organizations including government bodies. This session will explore these challenges through a professional development lens, highlighting practices that support excellence and consistency in research administration. A panel of senior research administrators will share insights from their diverse experiences and invite participants into a discussion focused on practical approaches, lessons learned, and strategies that have proven effective in various institutional contexts. The session aims to foster a community of practice and equip attendees with actionable ideas to navigate personnel hiring more confidently and collaboratively. Dana Chamot
Anne Klymenko
The research ecosystem in Low- and Middle-Income Countries faces significant capacity challenges. As administrators, we took on this work with commitment, aiming to drive grant processes forward. However, we now contend with limited resources and increasing funder expectations, creating a persistent capacity crisis. We are forced to be universal generalists, juggling everything from initial grant submission to final financial close-out. The demand to know everything and solve emergencies is relentless. We spend our days fighting fires, not building strategic foundations. This prevents us from doing the analysis needed to craft a comprehensive funder package and secure future collaborations. By not allocating specialized roles, we risk losing significant grant income and experience productivity declines. This unsustainable situation leads to burnout, frustration, and increased turnover among experienced staff. These are the individuals who should be building capacity for future teams. Underlying cultural signals also contribute to this burnout. Unspoken norms, such as the expectation to be constantly available and reward systems that celebrate rapid, short-term successes over strategic planning, reinforce a 'fire-fighting' culture. This creates an environment where role clarity and boundaries are unclear. Without investment in research administration personnel, the system undermines its own sustainability. To address this, leadership should implement culture-shifting strategies, such as revising reward systems to value long-term achievements and promoting work-life balance. Encouraging feedback and open dialogue can help recognize and address these cultural dynamics, driving meaningful and sustainable change. Addressing these challenges requires immediate action. This paper contends that strategic specialization is essential for LMICs. We call for a shift toward a framework that identifies and invests in specialized research administration roles to achieve three key outcomes. To begin this transition, institutions should conduct a needs assessment to identify gaps and define specialized roles necessary for efficient operations. Next, secure leadership buy-in by presenting a clear business case that demonstrates the long-term benefits of strategic specialization. Finally, initiate pilot programs to implement these specialized roles, using feedback to refine the approach as needed. We urge institutions to recognize administrative staff as essential to organizational resilience, not merely as overhead. Investing in administrative expertise addresses ongoing challenges and strengthens a country's capacity to compete globally. By building robust administrative capabilities, nations can attract lucrative research partnerships and funding opportunities. This enhances national competitiveness and drives sustainable development. It is time to harness the strategic importance of administrative roles in propelling national progress. Agnes Nabakka
This stream conversation focuses on how institutions classify and recognize revenue sources within their financial frameworks, particularly in the context of research funding. Key questions include: What criteria determine whether a donation qualifies as research revenue? Are specific-purpose accounts treated under the research umbrella? How does your institution classify the research revenue source? Additionally, the session will explore the timing and conditions under which research revenue is recognized. Regina Tiba
Michael Walesiak
Join us for an “Ask Us Anything” session dedicated to CFI post-award management. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions on matters related to compliance, reporting, and management following CFI awards. This session will also serve as a platform to share complex issues and gain insights from the CFI perspective. We aim to make this session engaging and productive. You are encouraged to submit questions ahead of time or during the event. / Participez à notre séance « Demandez-nous tout » dédiée à la gestion des fonds de la FCI. Les participants auront l’occasion de poser des questions sur les exigences de conformité, les rapports et la gestion des fonds à la suite d’une décision de financement favorable. Cette séance sera également l’occasion d’échanger sur des situations complexes et de recueillir l’avis de la FCI. Nous souhaitons rendre cette séance interactive et productive. N’hésitez pas à soumettre vos questions à l’avance ou pendant l’événement. Stephane Leroux
Sharyn Farlinger
Patrick Pilot
At UBC, and likely many other institutions, strategic funding opportunities range from internal awards (‘cluster’ grants), through national programs (i.e. Canada Foundation for Innovation; CFI, Canada Research Chairs; CRC), to international opportunities such as Horizon Europe. These require complex coordination across departmental, faculty, and institutional levels, and can surface - or exacerbate - tensions around communication and priorities. As faculty-level research administrators, we have found that our ability to ‘navigate from the middle’ has led to positive and lasting relationships across the University and beyond – and we’re interested to hear others’ experiences! As such, this session brings together research administrators to share best practices, challenges, and solutions for coordinating application development across this broad funding spectrum. The session will explore key questions: How do institutions balance departmental priorities with institutional strategic goals across different funding scales? What processes facilitate effective coordination between unit-level research facilitators and central offices? How do internal award mechanisms prepare researchers for larger competitions, and what coordination lessons transfer across funding types? How are teams adapting practices developed for domestic programs (CFI, CRC) to navigate emerging international opportunities like Horizon Europe? Through structured discussions and peer exchange, participants will share and learn practical strategies to improve communication workflows, clarify roles and responsibilities, and strengthen partnerships within and across organizational levels when supporting strategic funding opportunities at all scales. Joanne Moszynski
Meisan Brown-Lum
Carrie Lam
Learn more about the fully online Research Administration Certificate and Research Management and Coordination Certificate at Mohawk College. Hear from faculty, and current and graduated students of the certificate programs in a facilitated Q&A discussion forum. Have the chance to ask questions regarding the benefits of these fully-online, flexible, part-time studies, and the Dr. Frances Chandler Bursary available to support your studies. Gain insight into which certificate may be the right fit for your career goals! Alison Prescott
Research managers and administrators (RMA) play a vital role in supporting the research mandate of Canadian higher education institutions (universities, colleges, and hospital research) by aiding researchers to successfully obtain funding, comply with granting agency policies, and to manage collaboration. However, the role is not well understood due to broad scope, and RMA are not aware of career options, or skills required for career progression. To better understand the profession, and the skills required to perform responsibilities, the Canadian Association of Research Administrators Career Path Task Force conducted a sequential mixed methods study. The study included an environmental scan of job postings (n=120), an online survey (n=138) and interviews (n=9) to assess qualifications, skills, remuneration rates, duties, and professional development needs of RMA. Findings confirmed the broad scope (e.g., grant writing and management, financial oversight, research contracts, and ethics compliance.) Entry into the field has shifted, often requiring graduate degrees, making the profession appealing to PhD’s seeking better work-life balance. Critical thinking, project management, exemplary communications, attention to detail, best practice in equity, diversity, and inclusion were skills identified as future focus for professional development. Mentorship was identified as critical to career progression, and fair remuneration and benefits facilitated retention. The CARA Career Path Task Force will present key findings as described in the Spring 2025 SRA Journal of Research Administration publication and invite discussion on key takeaways and next steps for CARA's career path focussed activities. Kristen Korberg
Jyoti Kotecha
Sophie Felleiter
Erica Conte
This conversation stream will dive into the everyday realities of financial reporting for research grants. We’ll focus on practical ways to improve efficiency, simplify the approval process for Form 300s, manage manual statement adjustments, and leverage financial systems for smoother workflows. Rather than a formal presentation, this session is designed as an open dialogue where participants share challenges, solutions, and best practices. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas to streamline reporting, strengthen compliance, and reduce administrative burden. Aaron Brewer
Managing interdisciplinary and international collaborations requires intentional strategies to bridge diverse disciplinary perspectives, cultural contexts, and institutional practices. In this session, we will explore the suite of practices designed to foster trust, transparency, and shared ownership of research outcomes. We’ll delve into inclusive governance structures, how to establish clear communication protocols, and outline co-design processes that engage both academic and community stakeholders. We will share our experiences and best practices for managing complex, multi-institutional national and international research initiatives aimed at addressing global challenges. Lisa Leung
Jyoti Kotecha
Sophie Felleiter
Research administrators play a critical role in the success of research institutes by ensuring operational efficiency and enabling scientists and trainees to focus on discovery. The emergence of generative AI offers transformative opportunities for research administration. While much attention has centered on AI’s impact on research itself, administrative teams can also leverage these technologies to streamline workflows, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance service delivery. This session will present practical examples of AI-driven tools implemented within a research training support office, including AI agents, automated workflows, and award approval processes. These solutions demonstrate how low-code and no-code platforms make automation accessible without technical expertise. Since award programs typically involve high volume and cycles throughout the year, AI can be used for reducing administrative burden and ensuring timely, accurate processing at scale. Attendees will gain insights into how generative AI can be integrated into administrative operations to improve efficiency and scalability. Key Takeaways • Understand the role of generative AI in research administration and its potential impact. • Explore real-world examples of AI-powered tools for research administration. • Learn how low-code/no-code solutions enable non-technical staff to deploy automation. • Identify opportunities to enhance administrative workflows and reduce manual effort. Kristine Antony
Small institutions encounter distinctive challenges in managing research activities and grant administration, primarily due to limited resources and staff members who fulfil multiple roles (including pre-award and post-award functions across various departments and funders). This presentation examines the development and implementation of a Research Management System designed specifically for small-scale environments. The system incorporates key features, including intuitive interfaces, automated notifications, and seamless integration with existing institutional platforms. We anticipate that this solution will streamline workflows for proposal development, compliance tracking, award management, and reporting, while ensuring data integrity and security. The implementation strategy, stakeholder engagement process, and lessons learned will be discussed, emphasizing how such systems can improve efficiency, transparency, and research competitiveness within resource-constrained settings. Nicole van Rootselaar
Olusola Fasunwon
Universities are increasingly relying on data-driven insights to support strategic planning, performance measurement, and evidence-based decision-making. However, research data often resides in disconnected systems, making it difficult to generate a unified understanding of research activity across an institution. This session presents a blueprint for integrating research administration, HR, finance, and external data sources into a research performance dashboard. We will discuss common challenges with data quality, approaches to harmonizing definitions, and strategies for creating transparent, repeatable reporting processes. The presentation will highlight real-world examples of how University of Ottawa transformed siloed datasets into actionable research performance dashboards that support deans, department chairs, and senior leadership. Vivian (Xin) Liu
Seeking attendees that wish to advance their understanding of research analytics and the implementation of AI, systems and technology, and responsible evaluation practices to streamline research administration through data-informed decision making at your institution. A panel discussion will present three different institutional perspectives – Ontario Tech University (Canadian University), Unity Health Toronto (Hospital Research Institute) and Northeastern University (US University) – with the goal to encourage attendees to provide additional institutional perspectives. The session will be highly interactive with the goal of the session to develop a Canadian centric research analytics community of practice to help advance the profession and help institutions build capacity. Jennifer Freeman
Erica Conte
Laura Beaupre
Behind every successful research project lies an intricate web of processes supported by people and teams that may not directly conduct research but are critical to supporting research excellence and its social impact. This includes a diversity of roles and functions such as finance and recruitment officers, research ethics board (REB) members, departmental administrators, research operations, and more. These professionals provide the structural integrity that allows research to be conducted with a healthy and consistent degree of transparency, quality, efficiency, and equity. Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility contribute to the rigour, quality and applicability of research, and therefore should be a focus within the research ecosystem. This 90-minute Project Chrysalis session will invite participants to look beyond traditional role boundaries and examine how each role and team contributes to the creation of equitable, efficient, and innovative research environments. Using a guided discussion format, the facilitators will introduce the concept of “mapping the invisible pathways”, a participatory activity that helps attendees visualize how ideas evolve within institutional systems and where critical points of influence lie. Through shared experiences and collaborative reflection, participants will identify opportunities to strengthen communication, transparency, and inclusivity in research administration thus transforming operational awareness into a catalyst for cultural and systemic change. Natasha Ross
Patti Leake
Aman Sium
Over the past 10 years, Niagara College has led two multi-institution networks, and been a participant in others. The institutions are varied -- colleges, universities and research centres -- making for varied challenges and opportunities. This session would cover lessons learned in this space, such as setting up initial agreements, terms of reference, governance, communications challenges, distribution of funding, etc. May have co-presenter from the network depending on their travel budget. Carolyn Mullin
The session will focus on the successes and lessons learned from a pilot initiative launched at Carleton University in 2023: the REALISE Seed Grant. The REALISE Seed Grant Pilot had a specific objective at the end of its pilot phase in December 2025: to generate new multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary research outputs. While these could include expanding collaborations and shared activities, the ultimate goal was to support the development of joint publications and external funding proposals, feeding the overall grant proposal pipeline at different scales from the short to medium term. Using data from the pilot, we’ll explore how this internal grant has supported new and existing areas of research strengths, helped create new cross-disciplinary collaborations using a low-risk initiative, connected the central research office with new faculty members, and how the pilot was structured to achieve the goals set at the institutional level. What have we learned from this pilot? How can a cross-disciplinary internal grant be leveraged as a foundation on which to build? The REALISE (REsearch ALlIance Series) internal initiative, which is led out of the Carleton Office for Research Initiatives and Services (CORIS), under the Vice-President (Research, Innovation and International), incentivizes, supports, increases and leverages multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research across campus. Caroline Flocari
This facilitated discussion will address key challenges in Mitacs post-award administration, including paying interns, managing the collection and flow of partner and Mitacs funds, and ensuring compliance with reporting requirements. Participants will be encouraged to share institutional experiences, identify common pain points, and explore strategies to streamline processes for efficient and accurate financial administration of Mitacs-funded projects. Catherine Demers
Snjezana Cekrlija
Advancing a career in research administration requires more than aspiration. It requires clarity, structure, and evidence of progress. This session introduces a practical four-part framework—Know Yourself, Build a Plan, Stay Accountable, and Move to Action, with a special focus on how to track achievements. Attendees will learn what an achievement-tracking tool looks like, how often it should be updated, and how it can support performance reviews, promotions, and job applications. The session will also explore how managers can use the same tool to support staff development. Participants will leave with guided exercises, SMART goal-setting, and a practical template to support ongoing career advancement. Olusola Fasunwon
Rana Mustafa
Agenda at a Glance
10 May, 2026 08:00 am
BADGE PICK UP AND CONFERENCE ASSISTANCE/RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTRE MAIN FOYER
10 May, 2026 08:30 am
Britannia B
Research Finance
10 May, 2026 08:30 am
Elmbridge
Implementing Indigenous Cultural Safety and Co-Developing Calls to Action for Research Administrators in Canadian Universities
10 May, 2026 08:30 am
Westminister 1
New Administrator Workshop- Dominique Michaud
10 May, 2026 08:30 am
Cedarbridge
Colleges Best Practices
10 May, 2026 08:30 am
Westminister 2/3
External Research Awards: A Collaborative Strategy Workshop
10 May, 2026 08:30 am
Britannia C
Fuel Your Fire: Staying Motivated and Resilient at Work
10 May, 2026 11:30 am
LUNCH (ON OWN)
10 May, 2026 01:00 pm
Cedarbridge
Seeing with New Eyes: How to Use Science Communication Principles to Increase Research Visibility and Encourage Engagement
10 May, 2026 01:00 pm
Britannia B
Canada Research Chairs Administration: Building a National Community of Practice
10 May, 2026 01:00 pm
Elmbridge
Horizon Europe: Sharing Experience and Building Capacity
10 May, 2026 01:00 pm
Westminister 1
Managing Change in Research Administration: Practical Skills for Complexity
10 May, 2026 01:00 pm
Westminster 2/3
From Principle to Practice: Implementing Equitable Research Partnerships in Global and Indigenous Contexts
10 May, 2026 04:00 pm
Elmbridge
Firstimers Agenda Review
10 May, 2026 04:30 pm
SOCIAL ACTIVITY - FIRST TIMERS COFFEE/DIRECTORS MEET UP
10 May, 2026 05:30 pm
Welcome Reception
11 May, 2026 07:00 am
BADGE PICK UP AND CONFERENCE ASSISTANCE/RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTRE MAIN FOYER
11 May, 2026 07:30 am
Britannia (Billingual)
BUFFET BREAKFAST
11 May, 2026 08:30 am
Britannia (Billingual)
Conference Welcome
11 May, 2026 08:30 am
Britannia
Keynote: Leading Through Transformation: Building Resilient, Tech-Enabled, and Inclusive Research Administration Careers
11 May, 2026 09:30 am
Britannia (Billingual)
Tri-Agency update
11 May, 2026 10:30 am
Britannia (Billingual)
NSERC Update
11 May, 2026 10:30 am
Cedarbridge
How to Negotiate and Survive Problematic Clauses in Data Sharing Agreements
11 May, 2026 10:30 am
Elmbridge
How to Bake Up a Prize- Winning Grant Proposal
11 May, 2026 10:30 am
Richmond AB
Program pilot to support revitalizing reseach activities for mid-career and senior researchers
11 May, 2026 10:30 am
Westminister 2/3 (Billingual)
Mission Possible: Developing Strategies That Work!
11 May, 2026 11:30 am
Britannia (Billingual)
SSHRC Update
11 May, 2026 11:30 am
Cedarbridge
Into the Unknown: One Hospital's Journey to Become CIHR Eligible
11 May, 2026 11:30 am
Elmbridge
Building Respectful Research Agreements with Indigenous Partners: Principles, Practices, and Pathways
11 May, 2026 11:30 am
Richmond AB
Navigating the administration of community-based research through existing institutional processes and structures
11 May, 2026 11:30 am
Westminister 2/3 (Billingual)
Generative AI for Grant Review: A Comparative Study of Large Language Models (LLMs) Prompt Engineering for the CFI JELF Program
11 May, 2026 12:15 pm
Britannia (Billingual)
LUNCH AGM
11 May, 2026 01:30 pm
Britannia (Billingual)
The Tri-agency grants management solution: Development and implementation update
11 May, 2026 01:30 pm
Cedarbridge
Streamlining Research Management Systems: Insights from uOttawa’s Environmental Scan and U15 Benchmarking
11 May, 2026 01:30 pm
Elmbridge
The Cumming School of Medicine RISE Program: Building Confidence, Community, and Competitive Grant Applications
11 May, 2026 01:30 pm
Richmond AB
Tool or Trend: Gauging the uptake and usefulness of Generative AI tools in research administrative work at a research hospital
11 May, 2026 01:30 pm
Westminister 2/3 (Billingual)
Development of a Responsible Research Assessment Framework at Unity Health Toronto
11 May, 2026 02:30 pm
Britannia
Communication & Change: Evolving how we support institutions through the funding opportunity lifecycle
Participants are encouraged to share experiences and best practices as we co-create concrete improvements to the timing, clarity, and usefulness of FO-related communications and supporting tools.
Les personnes participantes sont encouragées à partager leurs expériences et leurs pratiques exemplaires afin que nous puissions élaborer ensemble des améliorations concrètes quant à la clarté, à l’utilité et au moment choisi des communications et des outils de soutien liés aux possibilités de financement.
11 May, 2026 02:30 pm
Cedarbridge
Comparative Models of Centralized Research Project Management
11 May, 2026 02:30 pm
Elmbridge
The Power of Mentorship to Fuel People and Teams
11 May, 2026 02:30 pm
Westminister 2/3 (Billingual)
Journey to coordinated research data services
11 May, 2026 03:30 pm
Cedarbridge
WorkTribe
11 May, 2026 03:30 pm
TIPS Update (Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat)
11 May, 2026 03:30 pm
Elmbridge
Persistent Identifiers for Projects and Awards: The Role of Research Administrators in Cutting Edge PID Use Cases
11 May, 2026 03:30 pm
Richmond AB
Building a Research Security Framework That Fits a Polytechnic
11 May, 2026 03:30 pm
Westminister 2/3 (Billingual)
Isnt that data "Public" what is the big deal?
11 May, 2026 05:30 pm
Britannia (Billingual)
President's Reception (by invitation)
11 May, 2026 06:00 pm
Britannia (Billingual)
Welcome Reception
11 May, 2026 07:00 pm
Britannia (Billingual)
DINNER GALA AND AWARDS
12 May, 2026 06:30 am
Sheraton Front Desk
CARA Walk and Talk - Meet Sheraton Front Desk
12 May, 2026 07:00 am
BADGE PICK UP AND CONFERENCE ASSISTANCE/RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTRE MAIN FOYER
12 May, 2026 07:30 am
BUFFET BREAKFAST WITH DISCUSSIONS PER AREA FOCUS
12 May, 2026 08:30 am
Britannia (Billingual)
Keynote - Back to the Future for careers in research administration
12 May, 2026 09:30 am
Britannia (Billingual)
NSERC/SSHRC Finance Update
12 May, 2026 09:30 am
Cedarbridge
VENDOR SHOWCASE
12 May, 2026 09:30 am
Elmbridge
Bridging Knowledge Across Contexts: Strategies & Lessons on Managing International Research Partnerships
12 May, 2026 09:30 am
Richmond AB
Diving Deep into Research Support Fund Administration
12 May, 2026 09:30 am
Westminister 2/3 (Billingual)
Team Empowerment = Amazing Results
12 May, 2026 10:30 am
Elmbridge
CFI Post Awards Research Administration
12 May, 2026 10:30 am
Britannia (Billingual)
Hype-Busters - Backing away from the AI Post Quantum Fear Machine
12 May, 2026 10:30 am
Cedarbridge
VENDOR SHOWCASE
12 May, 2026 10:30 am
Westminister 2/3 (Billingual)
Launching a Community of Practice for Research Finance Professionals Through Lean Coffee
12 May, 2026 10:30 am
Richmond AB
Strategic Adoption of Generative AI in Research Administration: Pathways for 2026 and Beyond
12 May, 2026 11:30 am
Britannia (Billingual)
CFI Update
12 May, 2026 11:30 am
Elmbridge
The Art of Presenting
12 May, 2026 11:30 am
Cedarbridge
Digital Science From Campus to Corporate: how research institutions can accelerate industry engagement
12 May, 2026 11:30 am
Westminister 2/3 (Billingual)
Finance - Conversation Stream "Overhead and Administration Fees"
12 May, 2026 12:15 pm
Britannia (Billingual)
LUNCH
12 May, 2026 01:30 pm
Richmond AB
Mitacs Plus: Inside the New Application Portal
12 May, 2026 01:30 pm
Britannia (Billingual)
Role of research offices in research communications
12 May, 2026 01:30 pm
Cedarbridge
Civic Innovation Lab: A Case Study of Municipal-Academic Research Collaboration between the City of Burnaby and Simon Fraser University
12 May, 2026 01:30 pm
Elmbridge
Strengthening Research Capacity Through Internal Chair Programs: Lessons from UBC Okanagan
12 May, 2026 01:30 pm
Richmond AB
Mitacs: Transforming Processes and Elevating the Client Experience
12 May, 2026 01:30 pm
Westminister 2/3 (Billingual)
Building Better Budgets
12 May, 2026 02:30 pm
Britannia (Billingual)
Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education and Research Administration: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions
12 May, 2026 02:30 pm
Cedarbridge
Advancing Trial Access Through 3CTN’s CRAFT Framework: The Northeast Ontario Cancer Centre Experience
12 May, 2026 02:30 pm
Elmbridge
Navigating the Complexities of Hiring Research Personnel
12 May, 2026 02:30 pm
Richmond AB
Resource Resilience: Specialized Research Administration Roles for Sustainable Research Support in LMICs
12 May, 2026 02:30 pm
Westminister 2/3 (Billingual)
Research Revenue
12 May, 2026 03:30 pm
Elmbridge
CFI post-award requirements: Compliance, Reporting and Management / Conformité, rapports et gestion des fonds de la FCI à la suite d’une décision de financement favorable
12 May, 2026 03:30 pm
Elmbridge
Elevating Research Support through Faculty, Central and Cross-Institutional Collaboration
12 May, 2026 03:30 pm
Cedarbridge
The Research Administration and Research Management & Coordination Certificates
12 May, 2026 03:30 pm
Richmond AB
Evaluation of the Role and Career Path of Research Administrators in Higher Education: a discussion
12 May, 2026 03:30 pm
Westminister 2/3 (Billingual)
Financial Reporting Conversation Stream
12 May, 2026 04:15 pm
Britannia (Billingual)
Felting Project Completion Coffee/tea cookies Foyer
13 May, 2026 07:00 am
CONFERENCE ASSISTANCE/RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTRE MAIN FOYER
13 May, 2026 07:30 am
Britannia (Billingual)
BUFFET BREAKFAST
13 May, 2026 08:30 am
Westminister 2/3 (Billingual)
NSERC Open Access
13 May, 2026 08:30 am
Vendor Showcase
13 May, 2026 08:30 am
Elmbridge
Building Bridges Across Borders and Disciplines
13 May, 2026 08:30 am
Richmond AB
Work Smarter, Not Harder: AI for Research Administrators
13 May, 2026 08:30 am
Westminster 1
Transforming Research Administration: Implementing a Scalable Research Management System for Small Institutions
13 May, 2026 08:30 am
Westminster 1
From Data Silos to Insight: Building a Research Performance Dashboard from Scratch
13 May, 2026 09:30 am
Britannia (Billingual)
Utilization of research analytics, AI/technology, and responsible research assessment practices to advance data informed decision-making and streamline research administration.
13 May, 2026 09:30 am
Cedarbridge
Re-Visioning Equity in Research Administration
13 May, 2026 09:30 am
Elmbridge
Lessons Learned: Multi-institution Research Networks
13 May, 2026 09:30 am
Westminister 1
Increasing cross-disciplinary research & feeding the external grant submissions pipeline: lessons learned from the REALISE Seed Grant Pilot
13 May, 2026 09:30 am
Richmond AB
Mitacs Post-Award Challenges and Solutions
13 May, 2026 09:30 am
Westminister 2/3
From Invisible Work to Visible Impact: Tracking Achievements to Advance Your RA Career
13 May, 2026 10:30 am
Britannia (Billingual)
CARA 2025 CONFERENCE DEBRIEF