What Are Shadow Accounting Systems, and Should You Have One?
A shadow accounting system is a set of records maintained at a local level that is independent of the centralized system of record, especially if high-level records aren’t specific enough.
Best Practices for Subrecipient Awards Management
Managing subrecipient awards (subawards) may seem daunting, but with a little preparation, the whole process can be made seamless. Here’s what to do.
Common Grant Accounting Challenges
We’ve worked with some of the nation’s most respected research universities, healthcare organizations, individual departments, and others. Each of these settings has its own unique mission and funding environment, yet each entity faces a common set of challenges...
5 Grant Management Problems and Red Flags
Not long ago, I read that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was facing dwindling federal budgets and political gridlock. However, they wanted to raise record-low grant approval rates, so they wanted researchers to apply for fewer grants. Seems frustrating and...
Top 3 Frustrations for Research Administrators – and How to Address Them
No one ever said research administration is easy. Demanding PIs, complex applications, ambiguous agency regulations, and tight deadlines. Learn how to handle each.
What’s FAIN and How Does it Improve Data Quality for Federal Spending?
In 2013, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) ordered each federal agency to assign a unique number, or FAIN, to all financial assistance awards. This post will explain what FAIN is, how it increases transparency, and how to find a FAIN. What’s FAIN? It's an...
Using Grant Management Software in the Pre-award Stage
Not all grant management software is created equally. Make sure you know what you need out of your software in the pre-award stage.
Research Administration Tips: Practical Advice to Help you Succeed
Working in research administration can certainly be rewarding, but it’s not exactly low-stress. The Office of Sponsored Projects is a fast-paced, high-pressure environment—and little wonder, given the number of approvals that every proposal has to get before...
Top Qualities of a Good Grant Writer
So you're interested in being a grant writer? It's a great way to put your writing skills to use for a variety of organizations that need funding, from small nonprofits to research universities. Or maybe you're looking to hire a grant writer. Either way, grant writers...