SPECTRUM Courses

Sponsored Projects Educational Curriculum and Training for the University of Minnesota (SPECTRUM) was created out of a collaboration between OSPA, SFR, and the former Training Services to meet the needs of the growing and changing field of Sponsored Research Administration.

SPECTRUM is a comprehensive training program targeted for departmental pre-award and post-award research administrators (DRA). Core courses contain critical information that addresses specific policies, procedures, and compliance considerations for all types of sponsors. A number of SPECTRUM courses also grant certified approver (CA) continuing education credit. See Certified Approver Program information.

All courses are offered at no charge and may be searched for by title in the Training Hub. See the full descriptions below to register or start the course. Please contact [email protected] for any course registration or access issues.
 

Courses

SPAF01: Sponsored Projects Landscape
The first course in the SPECTRUM fundamentals series, Sponsored Projects Landscape introduces: sponsored activities and funding mechanisms; the award life-cycle; the laws, policies and guidelines that govern sponsored projects; and the departments and roles that manage sponsored projects at UMN.
Previous session: February 19, 2026 - 10:00-11:30 AM

SPAF02: Research Ethics & Compliance
This course provides University employees with an overview of relevant compliance issues in sponsored research, including key University policies and involved offices, compliance monitoring activities and misconduct reporting options, and potential consequences of compliance lapses.
Previous session: March 19, 2026 - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

SPAF03: Financial Policy Basics
This course provides University employees with an overview of relevant compliance issues in sponsored research, including key University policies and involved offices, compliance monitoring activities and misconduct reporting options, and potential consequences of compliance lapses.
Previous session: Arpil 23, 2026 - 10:00-11:30 AM

SPAF04: Budget Basics
This course introduces University employees to the preparation of budgets and budget justifications for sponsored projects. Participants will learn how to calculate common direct costs, identify and calculate applicable indirect cost rates and bases, and create accurate and compliant budget justifications through practical, hands-on activities.
Next session:  May 28, 2026 - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Visit the Training Hub listing to register for the session

More course descriptions coming soon!
 

Elective Courses