Sponsored Projects Symposium
The SPA Sponsored Projects Symposium encourages community and informal dialogue as well as an opportunity to learn more on key topics of the day. The event is funded by the Office of the Vice President for Research, so there is no cost for attendees.
Symposium XIII
The 2020 Symposium took place on February 20 on the Twin Cities campus. Please help us to prepare for next year by filling out this Evaluation Form.
Schedule
Jump to all session descriptions and resources.
| Time/Location | Symposium Event |
| 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. Memorial Hall |
Registration |
| 8:45 - 9:00 a.m. Memorial Hall |
Welcome & Introductions |
|
9:10 - 9:55 a.m. |
Session 1: Expanded Reporting Using UM Analytics (Beg/Post) Session 2: How to Avoid Delays and Turbulence on the Proposal Express (All/Pre) Session 3: Closing Out Sponsored Awards as a Collaborative Effort (Beg/Post) Session 4: Minnesota Money: Getting Grants & Managing Money from State Agencies (Beg/Both) Session 5: Science Beyond Borders (All/Post) Session 6: Tricky Scenarios – General Financial (Adv/Post) 1 of 2 |
|
9:55 - 10:25 a.m. |
Plenary Session |
| 10:35 - 11:20 a.m. |
Session 7: Participant Costs vs. Human Participant Costs (Adv/Post) Session 8: REDCap and its uses in research (Beg/Both) Session 9: Google Sheets Can Replace Excel - Yes Really! (All/Both) Session 10: Subaward Best Practice - Wheel of Fortune (Beg/Both) Session 11: Survival Strategies for Large Scale Proposals (Adv/Pre) Session 12: Tricky Scenarios – General Financial (Adv/Post) 2 of 2 |
| 11:20 - 1:00 p.m. The Commons Dining (Memorial Hall) |
Luncheon Buffet & Speaker |
| 1:10 - 1:55 p.m. |
Session 13: Naughty Children (Adv/Post) Session 14: How to Deal with People Who Are Difficult for You (All/Both) Session 15: Effort Certification: focusing on the salary cap and nine-over-twelve appointment considerations (Adv/Post) Session 16: Working with Foundations (Beg/Both) Session 17: Pre-Award Done Efficiently (All/Pre) |
| 2:00 - 2:15 p.m. Memorial Hall |
Plenary Session |
|
2:15 - 2:30 p.m. |
Plenary Session |
| 2:30 - 2:55 p.m. Memorial Hall |
Desserts |
| 2:55 - 3:40 p.m. Memorial Hall |
Closing Plenary Session - Hot Topics |
|
3:40 - 3:45 p.m. |
Closing Heidi Huff, Amy Bicek-Skog |
Sessions & Descriptions
Session 1: Expanded Reporting Using UM Analytics (Beg/Post)
This beginner session will highlight some of the Finance and OVPR UM Analytics Sponsored Reports. It will also cover how to use UM Analytics Grants, Projects, and Contracts data to create ad-hoc queries and reports.
Presenters:
Robert Howieson, Business Analyst, EFS Module Support
Joshua Miraglia, Data Analyst, OVPR
Materials:
Presentation Slides
Finance UM Analytics Training Sessions
Common UM Analytics Terms
Session 2: How to Avoid Delays and Turbulence on the Proposal Express (All/Pre)
This informative flight will help guide you to a first (1st) class experience. We will identify common delays in proposal preparation, providing solutions, strategies and resources to avoid turbulence. Your Minnesota based flight crew will consist of folks from SPA and the Dept(s).
Presenters:
Pat Donnell, SPA
Pat Jondahl, SPA
Erin Knudsen, SPA
Peter Ralston, Medical School
Materials:
Presentation Slides
Frequently Requested Institutional Information
DRA Checklist
Session 3: Closing Out Sponsored Awards as a Collaborative Effort (Beg/Post)
This beginner session will discuss ideas on how departments and SFR can work together to make the closeout process more timely and efficient.
Presenters:
Rachel Veenstra, Finance Professional 3, Department of Earth Sciences
Simone Zerby, Finance Professional 3, Sponsored Financial Reporting
David Jagodinski, Finance Professional 3, Sponsored Financial Reporting
Materials:
Presentation Slides
Session 4: Minnesota Money: Getting Grants & Managing Money from State Agencies (Beg/Both)
From finding solicitations to proposal prep, working with the State of Minnesota can be challenging. This session will discuss tips on applying for and managing funds from the State of Minnesota. We will discuss the different proposal submission methods, the various types of agreements, the various reporting requirements (both programmatic and financial) as well as award modifications such as rebudgeting requests and no cost extensions.
Presenters:
Dave Jacobi, Finance Professional 3, CFANS Finance & Budget
Steven Smith, Finance Professional 3, Sponsored Financial Reporting
Amy Bicek-Skog, Principal Grant & Contract Administrator, Sponsored Projects Administration
Materials:
Presentation Slides
Session 5: Science Beyond Borders (All/Post)
This session will include discussing the rules regarding exports and imports of microorganisms, sensors, and other sensitive items; best practices for traveling with technology abroad; the University's International Travel Registry; engaging with Cuba, Iran and other countries subject to economic sanctions; and recent federal developments relating to the globalized demographics and operations of U.S. universities.
Presenter: Patrick Briscoe, Export Controls and International Projects Officer, Research Compliance Office
Materials:
Presentation Slides
Resource List
Session 6: Tricky Scenarios – General Financial (Adv/Post) 1 of 2
In this advanced, interactive session we will be joined a panel of subject matter experts to help us untangle multiple financial transactions. Attendees will break into groups, discuss an allotted scenario, present their collective response, and then receive feedback from the panel. This session has a limit of 30 attendees.
Presenters:
David Hagen, Director, Office of Cost Analysis
David March, Assistant Director, Research Compliance Office
Kevin McKoskey, Director, Sponsored Projects Administration
Moderator: Angi Aune, Research Accountant, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Materials:
Presentation Slides
Session 7: Participant Costs vs. Human Participant Costs (Adv/Post)
This intermediate session will illuminate the differences between patient care costs, lab/medical costs, participant costs and human participant costs and discuss the importance of correct classification. Attendees will review scenarios pertaining to these categories and participate in discussions on how to appropriately classify them in a budget.
Presenters:
Daniel Peterson, Finance Professional, CEHD Financial Services
Hang McLaughlin, Sr. Grants & Contracts Administrator, Sponsored Projects Administration
Sarah Jahn, Accounting & Grants Supervisor, Psychology
Materials:
Presentation Slides
Session 8: REDCap and its uses in research (Beg/Both)
REDCap is a secure web platform for building and managing online databases and surveys. This beginner session will provide an introduction to the REDCap system and its uses in research. We will give an overview of some current databases and demonstrate some of its functionality.
Presenter: Leslie Kennedy, Director, Research Administration, Department of Medicine
Materials:
Presentation Slides
Session 9: Google Sheets Can Replace Excel - Yes Really! (All/Both)
In this presentation, I’ll touch on most of the core tasks that are common in spreadsheet applications: working with data; creating tables; creating charts and linking them in Docs and Slides. And I’ll be using Google Sheets the whole time!
Presenter: Jay Nelsen, Technology Training Consultant, Office of Information Technology
Materials:
Presentation Slides
Session 10: Subaward Best Practice - Wheel of Fortune (Beg/Both)
Join your friends for a fun session on Subaward best practice. Take a twirl on the Subaward Wheel of Fortune with a distinguished panel of experts and your colleagues. Bring your contributions on your best practices and walk away with many more as well as winning fun prizes.
Presenters:
Kristen Berning, Sourcing Specialist, Purchasing Services
Erin Flathmann, Finance Team Lead, Biomedical Engineering
Charlotte Flipp, Division Grants & Contracts Pre-Award Coordinator, Division Compliance Coordinator, Epidemiology & Community Health
Gregg Pioske, Grant Coordinator, College of Pharmacy
Karen Sachi, Principal Grant & Contract Administrator, Sponsored Projects Administration
Amy Rollinger, Assistant Director, Sponsored Projects Administration
Frances Spalding, Training Coordinator, Sponsored Projects Administration
Nayubel Bernard-Badio, Finance Professional 3, Sponsored Financial Reporting
Materials:
Best Practices to Take Away
Carry Forward Request Sample
Domestic Subcontract Instructions Checklist
Checklist to Determine Subrecipient or Contract Classification
Foreign Subcontract Instructions Checklist
Modification Request Sample
Request New Sub Sample
Subaward Processing Checklist
Session 11: Survival Strategies for Large Scale Proposals (Adv/Pre)
No matter the sponsor, preparing and submitting large-scale interdisciplinary proposals can be challenging to pull together into a cohesive and competitive proposal. This advanced panel discussion session will cover the timeline for preparing large-scale proposals, as well as strategies for making the process run smoothly.
Presenters:
Ellen Freeman, Associate Director, Office of Research and Policy, CEHD
Gina Rumore, Research Development Director, Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation
Elizabeth Fedie, Research Development Manager, Masonic Cancer Center
Meghan Wein, Grants/Contracts Professional, Department of Pediatrics
Materials:
Presentation Slides
Resource Document
Session 12: Tricky Scenarios – General Financial (Adv/Post) 2 of 2
In this advanced, interactive session we will be joined a panel of subject matter experts to help us untangle multiple financial transactions. Attendees will break into groups, discuss an allotted scenario, present their collective response, and then receive feedback from the panel. This session has a limit of 30 attendees.
Presenters:
David Hagen, Director, Office of Cost Analysis
David March, Assistant Director, Research Compliance Office
Kevin McKoskey, Director, Sponsored Projects Administration
Moderator: Angi Aune, Research Accountant, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Session 13: Naughty Children (Adv/Post)
This advanced session will look at the many aspects of child projects at the University. The session will include when child projects should be setup, who is accountable, best practices, common problems and much more. As research collaboration continues to grow the use of child projects expected to continue to grow, don’t miss out on your chance to learn more.
Presenters:
Noel Schumacher, Finance Manager, Mechanical Engineering and Industrial & Systems Engineering
Mechanical Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation
Seth Goldberg, Finance and Grants Manager, Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation
Materials:
Presentation Slides
Session 14: How to Deal with People Who Are Difficult for You (All/Both)
We all have challenging interactions at work and in our personal lives. We will discuss strategies to intervene during challenging, difficult, and even upsetting interactions, so that you can do your job without it ruining your day!
Presenter: Lora Wichser, Adult Psychiatrist, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Materials:
Presentation Slides
Session 15: Effort Certification: focusing on the salary cap and nine-over-twelve appointment considerations (Adv/Post)
This advanced session will examine nine-over-twelve appointments, the NIH salary cap, and what happens when those two intersect. Based on feedback received after the Symposium XII Effort Certification session focus will be placed on the mathematical construct of nine-over-twelve appointments and accounting for the salary cap.
Presenters:
Mark Erickson, Director of Finance and Operations, Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Christopher Larson, Analyst, Office of Cost Analysis
Materials:
Presentation Slides
Resource List
Session 16: Working with Foundations (Beg/Both)
This beginner session will discuss how the University receives and administers external funds from foundations and the criteria that distinguish gifts from sponsored projects. This presentation will also describe some unique situations and/or examples where an agreement looked like a sponsored project but ended up being handled by University of Minnesota Foudnation (UMF) and vice versa. Attendees will come away with an understanding of how departments, SPA, and UMF work together to administer complex awards from foundations that may blur lines between gift and sponsored project.
Presenters:
Andrea Nadel-Tikh, Charitable Grants Administrator, Corporate and Foundation Relations, University of Minnesota Foundation
Lesley Schmidt Sindberg, Administrative Director, Department of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine
Materials:
Fund Bucket Project Definitions: Gifts, Sponsored Projects & External Sales
Session 17: Pre-Award Done Efficiently (All/Pre)
Have you ever wondered how other units at the University manage pre-award? In this session, open to all skill levels, we will share strategies and templates we find essential for effective pre-award management. We will explore our favorite tools for managing proposals from both federal and non-federal sponsors, whether you work independently or as part of a team.
Presenters:
Jeff Zytkovicz, Grant Coordinator, College of Education and Human Development
Yorie Smart, Grant Coordinator, College of Veterinary Medicine Research Office
Natalie Dillon, Administrative Director, Veterinary Population Medicine
Materials:
Presentation Slides