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SPA Classes

SPA classes are offered in addition to classes in the SPECTRUM program and often relate to time-sensitive topics. The SPA classes are often shorter in length and focus on the immediate needs of department research administrators.

All courses may be searched for by title in the Training Hub. See the full descriptions below and to register or start the course. A full course schedule for SPA and SPECTRUM classes is available.

Jump to the description and registration for:

Class Descriptions

ASSIST for Single Applications

Register for ASSIST for Single Applications

ASSIST is an NIH-created software option that works as an alternate web front-end to Grants.gov’s “Apply” that permits multiple people to work on a proposal at the same time. The system allows for pre-submission validation and for NIH business rules and pre-population of data from the eRA Commons profiles of the key personnel. After submission, ASSIST includes functionality for the user to track the submission status for both Grants.gov and eRA Commons systems. ASSIST also allows the ability to “clone” application data from previously prepared applications. This class will explain:

  • How ASSIST functions
  • ASSIST features that will help
  • How to set up a proposal
  • Proposal entry and processing

This class is geared to staff and administrators who develop and submit multi-project grant applications to NIH. Attendance is strongly encouraged before starting a proposal in this system.

Clinical Trials for Business & Industry

Register for Clinical Trials for Business & Industry

Have you been curious about clinical trials for business & industry? This class will remove the mystery and share interesting information on the subject. You will learn what a clinical trial is and general information on the important roles in the process. The class also includes a question and answer section with Laura Williams, an experienced clinical trials SPA grant administrator who can field questions on the SPA Expedited PRF process and other related topics.

This class will explain:

  • What the pieces of a clinical trial are
  • Budget development and compliance issues
  • SPA’s role as both resource and guide

Data Management Plans

Register for Data Management Plans

Come build a foundation of knowledge to prepare for agencies 'data management plan roll-out, which have dictated by the federal Office of Science and Technology. Specifics have not been fully announced by the agencies, but likely requirements will include:

  • A data management plan, which will be evaluated as a component of the grant application. This plan will describe the data being collected, strategies for documentation, storage, any considerations surrounding intellectual property, sensitive information or personally identifiable information, plans for sharing and long-term preservation.
  • Finalized data sets preserved and publicly shared, ideally through existing, public repositories
  • Subject to compliance through progress reports

The U of M Libraries are here to help! Come learn about the tools, services, and support available.

EGMS Refresher

Register for EGMS Refresher

The Electronic Grants Management System (EGMS) proposal creation software was built here at the University of Minnesota for the University community.

This class will review common elements of the system, such as:

  • Setting up a proposal type that would work with Grants.gov
  • How EGMS handles budget calculations
  • What else needs to be completed to freeze the proposal and create the PRF

Users will discuss the most common issues taken from calls to the EGMS helpline and learn how to avoid common proposal pitfalls. This class is for individuals who have EGMS experience or would like a refresher.

Electronic Subaward Invoice Processing

Register for Electronic Subaward Invoice Processing

Come learn about the new electronic subaward invoice processing system developed by SPA and the SPA IT group for managing subaward invoicing called Workflow Gen.

Experts will share some tips and tricks for navigating the electronic invoicing process including:

  • Understand Uniform Guidance’s impact on the subaward invoice and closeout process
  • Gain perspective of the electronic invoice submission, review, approval, and payment process and all the players involved
  • Comprehend the online approval screens and steps required for PIs
  • Learn how to setup email filters to organize subaward invoice emails and departmental email boxes so all necessary departmental staff can view emails and invoices
  • Gather resources to review subaward invoices and to prevent and resolve subaward invoice issues (e.g., unallowable costs, incorrect F&A calculations, duplicate invoices)
  • Understand how to access the online WorkflowGen portal to run subaward invoice reports and how to review invoices through the portal rather than sorting through email approval requests

F&A: All you Ever Wanted to Know 

Register for F&A: All you Ever Wanted to Know

Curious about what F&A is? How is it calculated? What are waivers? What is the waiver process? How does this affect my proposal? How does it affect my award?

F&A costs, formerly known as indirect costs and overhead, are costs that are necessary to support research and other sponsored projects, but which cannot be readily assigned to individual projects. As a key element of proposal creation and award management learn the ins and outs from SPA subject matter experts.

This class will explain:

  • What is F&A
  • What are waivers
  • The waiver process

This class is geared to individuals who want to know more about F&A and the waiver process.

Getting to Know the PRF

Take this course: Getting to Know the PRF

This course is intended for individuals who are new to the Proposal Routing Form (PRF) or sponsored projects, though is also useful as an informational resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the form and its components, related concepts, and topics. The course will cover the questions in the form as well as how to initiate, modify, and submit a PRF.

This class will cover:

  • How to navigate to and initiate a PRF
  • Background, associated information, and related topics on each of the PRF's 25 questions
  • How to amend, route, and submit a PRF

Grants.gov Workspace

Register for Grants.gov Workspace

The Grants.gov proposal creation system is called Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members may simultaneously access and edit different forms within an application.

This class covers the functionality of the system including:

  • How proposals are created
  • Adding participants from both within and outside of the University of Minnesota
  • Covering the different methods of creating a proposal using the webform or download/upload PDF feature

This is a quick glimpse of the system and does not take the place of the SPECTRUM Grants.gov course.

xTrain

xTrain is an online application, part of eRA Commons, that allows both grantees and federal staff to access and share administrative grant information. Institution users electronically prepare (enter data), route, track, and submit Appointments Re-Appointments, Amendments, and Termination Notices in the system. xTrain is also used by Agency grants management staff to process Appointments and Termination Notices submitted electronically.

This class will explain:

  • The system’s key roles
  • How to get started navigating the screens
  • How to process PHS forms 227 (the appointment form) and PHS416-7 (termination forms)

This class is geared towards individuals who will be working with NIH Training Grant awards or have interest in the subject.

The PRF is My Friend

Register for The PRF is My Friend

The PRF is a key component of the sponsored project experience.  For the Principal Investigator and research unit it’s a communication between the PI/Department Head/College at proposal time that covers compliance and other aspects of the proposed research project.  The PRF for SPA is the framework for the proposal and a key building block for the award.  An experienced Grant Administrator will field questions.