Skilled Training in
Administration and
Institutional Research
(STAIR)

The Future of Research Administration

CALL FOR TEAM-BASED CONSULTING PROPOSALS

NEW! STAIR Curriculum: Collaborative Administration for Research Excellence Series (CARES)

The curriculum has 8 independent modules focusing on different aspects of research administration. 

Learners receive a certificate for each individual module they complete.

Module 7 OUT NOW!

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Access the Curriculum
Graphic image summarizing the STAIR Curriculum Modules. Modules 1-7 are labelled "Available NOW", Module 8 is labelled "Coming Soon!".

Module 1. Collaborative Proposal Development

Access Module 1

Module 2: Budgeting for Sponsored Proposals

Access Module 2

Module 3: Research Integrity, Protections, & Security

Access Module 3

Module 4: Human Skills for Effective Research Administration

Access Module 4

Module 5: Contracting, Negotiating, & Funding Rules

Access Module 5

Module 6: Personnel & Labor Rules

Access Module 6

Module 7: Procurement, Travel & Equipment Policies

Access Module 7

Scenes from the 2026 NSF STAIR Summit

View the complete gallery AND our speakers’ presentations on the Summit webpage.

Man speaking in front of an audience.
John Hanold presenting the Opening Remarks.
Testimonial: "I now have a much better appreciation for the complexity of research administration. I can go back and make a real case for why we need to continue investing in our staff to do this work at the highest level possible." -Faculty Member, Penn State College of Medicine
Woman speaking in front of an audience.
Camelia Kantor presenting the Opening Remarks.
Photo of two people
STAIR Graduate Assistants: Xiaozheng Dai & Evan Fonash
Testimonial: "The presenters have been just spot on with the challenges that we all see. For one of the first times, the needs of research administrators and sponsored project offices are really being addressed. It is so refreshing to be part of this." -Executive Director, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Christine Mallinson
Christine Mallinson presenting "GRANTS MADE at Scale: A Regional Research Administration Student Internship Program for Workforce Development and Institutional Impact"

Latest News

Portrait of Elizabeth Dickinson
Portrait of Katie Gomez Freeman
Portrait of Carolynn Julien
Portrait of Sayed Mohsin Reza

August Spotlight: STAIR C.A.R.E.S. Focus Group 1

We are very grateful to Elizabeth Dickinson, Katie Gomez, Dwane T. Hodges, Carolynn Julien, and Sayed Mohsin Reza for their feedback on the STAIR C.A.R.E.S. curriculum!

Read more about the Focus Group
Portrait of Jennifer Stewart

July Spotlight: Jennifer Stewart

Jennifer’s expert knowledge of research administration has been a great asset in the development of STAIR’s Collaborative Administration for Research Excellence Series (CARES).

Read more about Jennifer
Portrait of Camelia Kantor

Camelia Kantor honored by SRAI as a 2026 Future of the Field Honoree

The Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) recognizes research administrators who drive change, shape innovation, and advance the future of research administration.

Read more about the award
Portrait of Dave Blehi
Portrait of Melinda Cain
photo of Xiaozheng Dai
photo of Evan Fonash
Portrait of Alex Horner
Portrait of Jessica Mondi

June Spotlight: STAIR Summit Planning Committee

Jenifer is a key member of STAIR. She contributes her wealth of knowledge to STAIR’s CARES Curriculum, Team-based Consulting, and more!

Read more about Jenifer
Portrait of Jenifer Hoffman

May Spotlight: Jenifer Hoffman

Jenifer is a key member of STAIR. She contributes her wealth of knowledge to STAIR’s CARES Curriculum, Team-based Consulting, and more!

Read more about Jenifer
photo of Jialing Wang
Portrait of Mysty Underwood

2026 Research Administration Conference Travel Award Recipients, Team 3

An additional team has been chosen for the Research Administration Conference Travel Award! Jialing & Mysty will be presenting at the 2026 Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) Annual Meeting.

Read more about Jialing & Mysty
Photo of Sharita Wallace
Photo of Jeffrey (Jeff) Ritchie
Photo of Cody Symanietz
Portrait of Jenifer Hoffman

2026 Research Administration Conference Travel Award Recipients

STAIR is happy to announce the first two team recipients of the Research Administration Conference Travel Award!

Read About the Award Recipients
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