Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance

SPaRC'Ed Recertification

In recognition of the evolving world of research administration, in order to keep the SPaRC'Ed Illini Certified Research Administrator certification valid you must earn a total of 30 recertification points over the initial 3-year period after graduation.  Graduates from the 2014-2015, 2015-2016, and 2016-2017 SPaRC'Ed program had until April 30, 2020 to complete Phase I requirements.  Graduates from the 2017-2018 SPaRC'Ed program had until April 30, 2021 to complete Phase I requirements.  Graduates from the 2018-2019 SPaRC'Ed program year had until April 30, 2022 to complete Phase I requirements.  Graduates from the 2019-2020 SPaRC'Ed program year had until April 30, 2023 to complete Phase I recertification.  Graduates from the 2020-2021 SPaRC'Ed program had until April 30, 2024 to complete Phase I recertification requirements.

Graduates from the 2021-2022 SPaRC'Ed program will have until April 30, 2025 to complete Phase I recertification requirements.

Graduates from the 2022-2023 SPaRC'Ed program will have until April 30, 2026 to complete Phase I recertification requirements.

Graduates from the 2023-2024 SPaRC'Ed program will have until April 30, 2027 to complete Phase I recertification requirements.

RECERTIFICATION SPECIFICATIONS - PHASE I

As a SPaRC'Ed Illini Certified Research Administrator, you are required to recertify during the initial 3-year period after your graduation date to maintain your certified status.

• You must earn a total of 30 points during the 3-year period after your graduation date.
• Of the 30 points required, 20 points must come from approved SPaRC activities.
• No more than 10 points will be allowed from approved non-university research administration trainings or continuing education.
• Full completion of the activity is required in order to receive points.

The points must come from 3 or more of the categories below:

• SPaRC'Ed Instructor (Per Course)—5
• SPaRC'Ed Elective Course Attendee—4
• SPaRC'Ed Committee Member—3 (effective 3/10/2022)
• SPaRC Retreat Attendee—5
• SPaRC Retreat Presenter (Per Session)—3
• SPaRC Retreat Committee Member—3 (effective 3/10/2022)
• SPaRC Quarterly Meeting Attendee—3
• SPaRC Quarterly Meeting Presenter—2
• SPaRC Spotlight Attendee—2
• SPaRC Spotlight Presenter—3
• National/Regional Conferences (e.g., NCURA, SRA)—5
• National/Regional Conference Presenter (e.g., NCURA, SRA)—3
• Other Agency Sponsored Conferences—5
• Research Administration Agency Sponsored Webinars—1

No previous participation (prior to April 30 of your graduating year) in any of the recertification categories will be counted. 

For those interested in recertifying, you are responsible for submitting your continuing education points into the SPaRC Points Platform linked below as you earn points in the approved categories. If you do not recertify by the end of the 3-year period, you will be required to re-apply to the SPaRC'Ed program.

Submit Continuing Education Points

RECERTIFICATION SPECIFICATIONS - PHASE II

To ensure the Illini CRAs are staying up to date and engaged in research administration and the research community at Illinois, graduates will enter into Phase II of recertification once the requirements from Phase I have been satisfied.  Phase II recertification will begin on the first of May following the end of the initial 3-year period to complete Phase I requirements.  Phase II recertification will be earned on a yearly basis (May 1, xxxx - April 30, xxxx).

Graduates from the 2014-2015, 2015-2016, and 2016-2017 SPaRC'Ed program years:

• Phase II-Year I = May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021
• Phase II-Year II = May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022
• Phase II-Year III = May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023
• Phase II-Year IV = May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024
• Phase II-Year V = May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025

Graduates from the 2017-2018 SPaRC'Ed program year:

• Phase II-Year I = May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022
• Phase II-Year II = May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023
• Phase II-Year III = May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024
• Phase II-Year IV = May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025

Graduates from the 2018-2019 SPaRC'Ed program year:

• Phase II-Year I = May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023
• Phase II-Year II = May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024
• Phase II-Year III = May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025

Graduates from the 2019-2020 SPaRC'Ed program year:

• Phase II-Year I = May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024
• Phase II-Year II = May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025

Graduates from the 2020-2021 SPaRC'Ed program year:

• Phase II-Year I = May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025

An Illini CRA can complete Phase II recertification in one of two ways.   

• Option #1 - earn a total of 15 recertification points in the approved categories listed above, per year (May 1, xxxx - April 30, xxxx).  The points must come from 2 or more of the categories.
• Option #2 - complete and earn a passing score on the fall and spring semester assessments during the current SPaRC'Ed program year.  This option is designed for graduates whose schedules may not allow attendance at many events. 

Submit Continuing Education Points