- Sarah Yecke
Managing Funding Opportunities with UMN Masonic Cancer Center
Updated: Jan 9
When managing funding opportunities, it is easy for research administrators to focus on the front half of the timeline: the application and review processes. However, the most important data for stakeholders often must be gathered after the internal award decision.
In a recent webinar, Elizabeth (Liz) Fedie (Research Development Manager) and Susan (Sue) Fautsch (InfoReady Administrator) from the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center (MCC) shared best practices for managing the post-award process using progress reports in InfoReady Review™:
Think of progress reports as both a data collection tool and a way to provide awardees with relevant information about their specific award.
Structure reports into different time periods. MCC uses immediate post award, end of funding period, and return on investment reports.
Collect info for the financial transaction like account number and any internal processing forms.
Provide terms of award document and acknowledgement text that awardees should include on any publications, such as external funding sponsor information.
Build an optional no-cost extension request as one of the reports to keep this data tied to the original application.
Use a report as a mini survey to ask awardees what resources (if any) they’ve used since the initial award, such as discussion forums or faculty development programs.
A final report should request any info documenting ROI to funding sponsors, like publications, collaborations, and conference presentations.
Set report reminders ahead of time on a schedule, such as one month two weeks, and one day before the report deadline.
We want to thank Liz and Sue for sharing their best practices on the post-award process within InfoReady Review™. Their insights on using progress reports to gather data at a variety of time periods will save administrators valuable time when they are asked to report on overall outcomes and return on investment (ROI).
Want to learn more about InfoReady Review™ or share your story with us as a Peer Spotlight? Contact info@inforeadycorp.com.