Event
Event Details
Where:
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX
When:
October 18 - 22, 2025
October 18 - 22, 2025
Attain Partners at the 2025 SRAI Annual Meeting
Attain Partners is a proud sponsor of the 2025 SRAI Annual Meeting!
Our team of nationally recognized experts brings decades of experience helping colleges, universities, academic medical centers, and research institutions optimize operations, improve compliance, and drive strategic results. Whether you’re navigating complex regulatory changes or advancing organizational growth, we’re here to support your success.
Monday, October 20
Basics of Intellectual Property
Monday, Oct. 20 | 10:30a – 11:30a
Intellectual Property (IP) permeates all areas of research administration, from pre-award to close-out. This session will discuss what IP is and its applications in research administration. An overview of the different types of IP including patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and rights in publicity will be discussed as well as common situations that relate to IP. This session is important for those new to research administration and those who need a basic understanding of intellectual property.
Speaker
- Emily Njus, JD, Senior Consultant, Attain Partners
CRADA – Conversing Research About a Distinct Agreement
Monday, Oct. 20 | 10:30a – 11:30a
Have you ever heard the acronym CRADA thrown out in a conversation or written in an email? A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, or a CRADA, as it is commonly referred to, is a federal funding mechanism that seems a bit spontaneous and new. But are they really? In this session, we will take a dip into the CRADA pool – exploring what they are, the history behind them, when they should and shouldn’t be used, and what might be in store for their future. Join us as we crack open the CRADA and (C)onverse (R)esearch (A)bout a (D)istinct (A)greement.
Speakers
- John Hedberg, CRA, CPRA, Senior Associate, Attain Partners
- Farrell Rapp, Director of Research Services, University of Wyoming
- Brandon Strickland, University of Miami
The Latest on IDC Cost Reimbursements including the JAG Model
Monday, Oct. 20 | 10:30a – 11:30a
Indirect costs are a major cost component of all research projects. They are necessary costs for research activities and represent approximately 25-30% of the total project costs. Since February 2025, several agencies have proposed to cap that rate at 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs which would result in a severe loss of reimbursement to research institutes and cripple US research endeavors. The JAG has proposed a brand-new cost model (FAIR Model) to provide more accounting and recovery of actual costs to research. This session will highlight the FAIR Model, its status for start date and strategies for implementation, if it becomes a final policy for research cost reimbursements.
Speaker
- Gil Tran, CPA, Senior Specialist Leader, Grants Management, Attain Partners
The Latest on IDC Cost Reimbursements including the JAG Model
Monday, Oct. 20 | 1p – 2p
On April 04, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the publication of the final revisions to the OMB’s Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR. It proclaimed that that “these changes will allow agencies and recipients of Federal funds to focus more time and money on delivering meaningful results for the American people.” The COFFA issued supplementary information to assist agencies with implementation on August 15, 2024 and corrections were published October 1st ,2024 and included in the final version effective October 1, 2024. The “extreme makeover” of the Uniform Guidance results in revisions of 69 out of 191 sections (or 36 percent) from its 2020 edition. With the effective date of October 1, 2024, some of the revisions have become effective but most of the administrative and accounting revisions become effective on July 1, 2025 for most research institutions (the first fiscal year starting after October 1, 2024). On January 20, 2025, a new Administration made its start in the Nation’s Capital and issued 26 Executive Orders (E.Os) to reshape the Nation landscape. The first E.O. rescinded many previous policies. We will explore any impacts of the E.O.s on the Uniform Guidance revisions and overall grant management. This session will discuss the significant revisions to Title 2 (Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance), impacts on research institutions, and how institutions are implementing. It will highlight any impact of the Executive Orders on the Uniform Guidance. Participants will have an opportunity to share and to ask questions of the presenters and other participants.
Speaker
- Gil Tran, CPA, Senior Specialist Leader, Grants Management, Attain Partners
Preparing to Negotiate: Three Steps Toward a Solid Negotiation Tool Kit
Monday, Oct. 20 | 4p – 5p
This session will focus on the importance of taking the proper steps toward a solid agreement negotiation Tool Kit. All negotiators will benefit from these three foundational steps toward a solid negotiation. By understanding the type of agreement to be negotiated, the regulations that govern the agreement, and the sponsor specific terms for the agreement, the negotiator will set themselves, and their institutions, up for success.
Speakers
- Andrea Deaton, Distinguished Faculty, Consulting Specialist, Attain Partners
- Emily Njus, JD, Senior Consultant, Attain Partners
- Judy Bristow, VP, Grants and Compliance, Louisville Healthcare Council, CEOc
Building a Career in Research Administration: Certifications, Training, and Growth
Monday, Oct. 20 | 4p – 5:30p
Navigating a career in research administration requires a strategic approach to professional development, encompassing certifications, training, and career growth opportunities. This session will explore the key credentials available to research administrators, including the Certified Research Administrator (CRA) and other relevant certifications, and discuss their impact on career advancement. Participants will also gain insights into professional development resources, networking opportunities, and practical strategies for continuous learning. With research administration evolving due to regulatory changes, technological advancements, and institutional needs, this session will equip attendees with the knowledge to build a fulfilling and resilient career path. Whether you are new to the field or looking to advance, this discussion will provide actionable steps for professional growth, skill enhancement, and long-term career planning.
Speakers
- Georgetta Dennis, MRA, CRA, CPRA, CFRA, Senior Associate, Attain Partners
- Jenifer Hoffman, CPRA, CRA, PreAward Manager, The Pennsylvania State University
- Shelly Berry Hebb, M. Ed.HRD., CPRA, Director, Pre-Award Services, Texas A&M University
- Cathy Le, MBA, CRA, CFRA, CPRA, Director of Research Administration, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Southern California
Old Dog, New Tricks: Advanced Leadership Skills for Today’s Workplace
Monday, Oct. 20 | 4p – 5:30p
The demands on new and emerging leaders in research administration are evolving rapidly in response to AI integration, hybrid/remote work dynamics, and the challenges of managing multigenerational teams. At the same time, regulatory uncertainty and shifting compliance landscapes require leaders to adapt, innovate, and optimize workflows – often without additional resources. This session will equip new and aspiring leaders with practical strategies to navigate today’s complex workplace. Participants will explore decision-making under pressure, problem-solving in resource-limited environments, and prioritization techniques to maintain compliance and operational efficiency in a fast-paced setting. This interactive session will provide real-world insights and actionable takeaways to help research administrators lead with confidence, agility, and innovation in an ever-changing landscape.
Speakers
- Susan Sedwick, PhD, CRA, CSM, Distinguished Faculty, Senior Consulting Specialist, Attain Partners
- Marchon Jackson, Associate Vice President for Research • Vice President of Research, Howard University
- Nicole Quartiero, Director, RPM, University of Notre Dame
Tuesday, October 21
Demystifying IP by Agreement Type
Tuesday, Oct. 21 | 9a – 10a
Universities spend a lot of resources managing intellectual property through their research administration, tech transfer, and legal resources. This session aims to illuminate appropriate intellectual property paradigms by agreement type. This will help attendees know what appropriate intellectual property rights are based on the nature of the relationship and when to escalate to legal/tech transfer. The agreement types we will review are corporate-sponsored research, federal contracts, federal grants, clinical trials (both industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated), non-profit grants and subawards, service agreements (incoming/outgoing), confidential disclosure agreements, material use agreements, and data use agreements. For each agreement type we will look at solutions that include staying silent on intellectual property, assignment of ownership, non-exclusive/exclusive licenses including field limitation options, internal licenses, and options for commercial licenses. In looking at those options we will provide a matrix for the triggers for escalation to tech transfer/legal.
Speakers
- Istvan Fekete, Principal, Attain Partners
- Janette Hannam Hayes, Emory University
Let’s Connect
Looking to discuss challenges, ask questions, or explore opportunities to collaborate? Schedule time with our team during the conference—we’d love to meet you. Contact us today.
