SPARK

ORA’s SPARK program prepares Morgan State University's research staff and administrators for success by building foundational knowledge, practical skills, and confidence in supporting sponsored projects. SPARK introduces participants to key processes, expectations, and institutional practices while creating a pathway for continued learning. SPARK is a scalable framework for MSU research administrator readiness that will ignite professional growth.

ORA's SPARK Program has a two-pronged approach:

1.   A foundational overview of the federal, state, and sponsor-specific requirements that guide sponsored-programs administration and help ensure MSU maintains compliance.
2.   A series of practical modules that explain the specific, key processes, systems, and institutional workflows involved in administering sponsored programs at Morgan State University.

ORA will monitor participant progress in the SPARK program through attendance at research administration (RA) review sessions, completion of assigned Canvas modules, and submission of the ORA SPARK pre- and post-assessments. Together, these activities will help ORA track engagement, assess growth in research administration and MSU-specific knowledge, and confirm that participants have satisfied program requirements.

Navigating this page:

Interest Form      ∗       Onboarding        ∗      Campfire Series        ∗       e-Learning Modules

INITIAL PHASE: ONBOARDING

Structured introduction to research administration

The onboarding component of ORA SPARK provides a structured introduction to research administration through a blend of self-paced and live learning opportunities. Participants will complete e-learning modules with associated quizzes, the CITI Essentials of Research Administration course, and virtual RA intensives focused on key topics in the research administration profession.

The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program)

CITI Program is a leading provider of online research, ethics, compliance, and research administration training. CITI is widely used and trusted by thousands of institutions worldwide, including universities, healthcare organizations, government agencies, and research organizations. Through CITI, the ORA SPARK program will offer the Essentials of Research Administration course, which provides an overview introduction to the research administration profession through five lessons:

• Elements of Research Administration
• Elements of Research Development
• Elements of Pre-Award
• Elements of Award Negotiation & Acceptance
• Elements of Post Award

SPARK Campfire Series

The SPARK Campfire Series will provide focused, one-hour learning sessions on key topics in research administration. Each session will combine practical instruction with discussion and Q&A, allowing participants to explore specific areas of the RA profession in greater detail. Topics may include cost share, Uniform Guidance, compensation on sponsored projects, financial compliance and expense monitoring, subaward establishment and monitoring, research compliance, export controls, research security, IRB, IACUC, and other timely or high-priority areas.

Through the SPARK Campfire Series, ORA aims to foster a strong community of research administration professionals across campus. These sessions will create space for continued education, shared learning, and information exchange among staff who support sponsored programs at Morgan State University.

SPARK e-Learning Modules

ORA’s training staff have developed a series of e-learning modules specifically tailored to the administration of research at Morgan State University. These e-modules will expand your working knowledge of MSU policies and procedures. 

ORA SPARK: INTEREST FORM

Complete our Google Form to express interest in the SPARK program.

Interested in learning more about ORA SPARK? Click here.
SPARK is currently only available to employees of Morgan State University.
A valid MSU email address is required to complete the form.

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