Program Overview

Sponsored Projects Certificate Program

The Columbia University Certificate in Administration of Sponsored Projects is a certificate program for Columbia administrative staff involved in sponsored projects. The certificate program provides appropriately-trained individuals with a credential that attests to their knowledge and understanding of the policies and processes relating to the administration of sponsored projects at Columbia.

Program Overview

The program presents training in four key areas of pre-award and post-award administration:

1. Research compliance and regulatory requirements;
2. Research roles and responsibilities at Columbia;
3. Operational procedures and best practices for proposal development and financial management; and
4. Resources available for compliance and operational support.

Target Audience

The program is designed for Research Administrators, Department Administrators, Research Coordinators, Effort Coordinators, Grants Managers, and other administrative staff involved with sponsored projects.

Program Requirements

To receive the Certificate in Administration of Sponsored Projects, an individual must complete all of the following requirements:

• Research Compliance Foundations: A 9-session (10-session for CUIMC) classroom course that provides an overview of sponsored project regulatory requirements and related Columbia roles, responsibilities, and policies.
• Sponsored Projects Essentials: A 5-session classroom course that covers pre-award and post-award operational processes and requirements.
• Review of Online Case Studies: A series of detailed case studies related to the Responsible Conduct of Research for research administrators.
• Completion of Rascal Foundations Test: Individuals must demonstrate mastery of the material by successfully completing two quizzes in Rascal: one following Research Compliance Foundations and one following Sponsored Projects Essentials.
• Completion of Rascal Essentials Test: Individuals must demonstrate mastery of the material by successfully completing two quizzes in Rascal: one following Research Compliance Foundations and one following Sponsored Projects Essentials.

Program Timing

Effective January 2021, participants in the Sponsored Projects Certificate Program must complete all in-person and online requirements within 3 years of starting in the program in order to earn the Certificate. Each classroom course is taught twice each year: Foundations in summer and winter, Essentials in spring and fall. The online cases and tests are always available.

Program Sponsors

The Certificate program is sponsored by the Office of Research Compliance and Training, in collaboration with Sponsored Projects Administration and Sponsored Projects Finance.