Contact Us
For questions or more information, please contact Kamil Tamimie, Assistant Director, Training, Outreach, and Data Management.
Events
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Events
SPaRC Spotlights
JVs and Cost Transfers: Your Financial Toolkit
Learn how to successfully create Journal Vouchers that comply with sponsor and University policies. Equip yourself with the knowledge to efficiently and accurately manage cost transfers, understand the required documentation, and draft FOATEXT that includes all necessary elements. This training will streamline your workflows, reduce back-and-forth communication, and provide best practices for non-personnel cost transfers.
Presented by:
- Sarah Lorbiecki, Senior Assistant Director, SPA
- Tina Owens-Anderson, Advanced Senior Award Management Coordinator, SPA
- Jen Schuster, Senior Award Management Coordinator, SPA
| Thursday, May 15, 2025 | 9:30AM - 11:00AM | Zoom Meeting |
AI for Research Administrators: Enhancing Efficiency Across the Sponsored Project Lifecycle
This training session will start with a concise overview of AI and its applications in research administration, covering key tools and technologies that can streamline workflows. Participants will then explore detailed use cases demonstrating how AI can enhance efficiency and decision-making across the sponsored project lifecycle, from proposal development and compliance to award management and financial reporting.
Presented by:
- Dan Harmon, Director, Data & Systems, SPA
- Kyle Sturm, Advanced Senior Award Management Coordinator, SPA
| Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 9:30AM - 11:00AM | Zoom Meeting |
Researcher Starter Kit: Setting Up New & Junior Faculty for Success
You asked; we listened! Join us for an extended version of our SPaRC Retreat session, now with more examples. Help turn anxious new and junior researchers into sponsored project rockstars who understand your processes and appreciate all you have to offer. This session will review common mistakes, frequently asked questions, and need-to-know basics for new (or new-to-you) faculty and research staff—and how to mitigate potential confusion. We’ll offer useful models for communicating processes, answering questions, and providing resources to help you help them get set up for successful submissions.
Presented by:
- Alaine Matraus, Research Development Coordinator, Proposal Development Office, National Center for Supercomputing Applications
- Tamara Roosevelt, Proposal Development Lead, Proposal Development Office, National Center for Supercomputing Applications
| Tuesday, June 3, 2025 | 2:00PM - 3:30PM | Zoom Meeting |
Quarterly Meetings
The SPaRC Quarterly Meetings provide a platform to exchange and disseminate information related to the support of the sponsored portfolio to central and departmental administrative staff.
| Thursday, June 5, 2025 | 1:30PM - 3:30PM |
NCSA Auditorium 1205 W Clark St., Urbana |
Submit a question for the Open Forum here.
SPaRC Annual Retreat
The SPaRC Annual Retreat provides an opportunity for campus research administrators to come together to network and learn about relevant research administration topics, as well as celebrate their role in the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign research mission. The day includes guest speakers, plenary sessions on new initiatives and policy updates, and afternoon breakout sessions on a variety of sponsored project topics. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Registration for the 2025 SPaRC Retreat will open in August.
If you have questions please contact Kamil Tamimie (tamimie@illinois.edu).
Breakout Session and Department Roundtable Descriptions
| Friday, September 12, 2025 | 9AM - 3:30PM | Illinois Conference Center |