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Reminder: Apply for the Fall 2026 Department Research Administrator (DRA) Cohort Program

Deadline to : Thursday, August 6thÌý

Research Financial Services (within Campus Controller’s Office) and the Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG) have teamed up to offer a cohort program for the novice to intermediate research administrator.ÌýÌý

The DRA Cohort Program seeks to accomplish the following objectives:ÌýÌýÌý

  • Provide opportunities to engage with experts across campus on topics related to sponsored project administrationÌýÌý
  • Grow and nurture the CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ research administration community by providing space for staff to meet, interact, and problem solve with each other Ìý ÌýÌý
  • Equip participants with new tools and resources that others use to manage sponsored project tasks and day-to-day workÌýÌýÌý

DRA Cohort LogisticsÌýÌý

What Is the Time Commitment?ÌýÌý

  • The program is a semester-long commitment that takes place from mid-August through mid-November.ÌýÌý
  • Participants attend a virtual session every other week and an in-person/hybrid session once a month. We highly recommend that interested participants confirm their availability to participate with their supervisors.ÌýÌýÌý
  • Virtual sessions and in-person/hybrid sessions are 60 minutes.Ìý For the Fall 2026 Cohort, all sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 10:00-11:00am.ÌýÌý

Who Should Apply?ÌýÌý

  • Staff members within campus units who perform administrative and/or financial tasks related to sponsored projectsÌýÌý
  • Ideally, applicants should have less than 3 years of experience working with sponsored projects at CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½. While we consider all applicants regardless of years of experience, the program is geared towards those whose sponsored project experience at CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ ranges from beginner to intermediate.ÌýÌý
  • We also encourage staff members who may not have peers or mentors in their own dept/unit. One of the program's main goals is to cultivate a DRA community across campus and to connect new DRAs with other experienced DRAs as they navigate unique issues related to sponsored projects.ÌýÌýÌý

Are There Prerequisites?ÌýÌý

While there are no prerequisites to apply, we ask that all selected participants begin working through the following online courses before we begin virtual sessions:ÌýÌý

How Do I Apply?ÌýÌý

To apply for participation, complete the application for the Fall 2026 DRA Cohort by the Thursday, August 6th deadline:Ìý

All applications will be reviewed by August 7th, and 15-20 applicants will be selected to join the program.ÌýÌý

Want to Know More?

For more details about the program’s curriculum and schedule, visit the Department Research Administrator (DRA) Cohort Program page. If you have any questions about the program, please reach out at ocgtraining@colorado.edu.ÌýÌý