As competition for federal research funding grows, Rice is stepping up its efforts to help faculty and grow its research programs. Right now, the experience of managing research isn’t the same across campus. Unclear roles, complex processes, and underutilized tools make it harder for researchers to get their research done. Achieving the university’s vision of growing our research programs starts with strengthening the systems that support researchers every day.
The Vision
This project focuses on improving research administration for everyone. By creating more consistent processes across departments, clarifying roles between faculty and administrators, and improving access to grant information in iO, Rice is reducing extra steps and creating a smoother experience for faculty and research administrators. The goal is simple: free up time for faculty to focus on their research, knowing they have dependable and effective administrative help behind them.
Progress to Date
Over the past year, the Research Administration project has taken the first important steps to lay the groundwork for change:
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Conducted a full review of research administration operations across campus
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Enhanced iO tools to better support grant management
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Launched STARS, a research administration training program for staff
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Developed new reporting tools to track grant activity and performance against budget, goals, and timeline
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Assessed roles, responsibilities, and staffing levels across academic and central units
For faculty, this means more consistent support, clearer processes, and fewer hurdles along the way. From applying for funding to managing awards, the process is being redesigned to save time and reduce frustration. The goal is a simpler, more reliable system that works the same—no matter where a grant is managed.
What’s Next
A group of campus partners is completing the next phase of the project, which includes redesigning processes, identifying opportunities to improve and enhance technology, and creating a consistent approach to service across campus. The rollout will happen in phases, and progress updates will be shared along the way. Faculty input will continue to be critical as the university builds a more responsive and supportive research infrastructure—one that’s designed to meet the demands of today’s funding environment and the goals of tomorrow’s research growth.
Design Committee Members
Many thanks to the committee members who have been integral to the process in providing feedback and input.
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Carlos Garcia, Associate Vice President for Research Operations and Administration, Office of Research
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Mauricio Benitez, Associate Provost, Office of the Provost
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Megan C. Buie, Assistant Vice President of Research and Cost Accounting, Controller’s Office – Research and Cost Accounting
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Brad Fralic, Associate Vice President and University Controller, Controller’s Office
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James Hayward, Director of Post Award Technology, Controller’s Office, Research and Cost Accounting
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Katie Ta, Assistant Director, Pre-Award Administration Services, OSP – Office of Pre-Award Administration Service
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Caroline Griffin, Research Administrator, Rice Neuroengineering Initiative
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Brian Miller, Director of Operations and Finance, Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies
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Sable Kocurek, Executive Administrator, School of Engineering – Department of Bioengineering
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Christy Montecillo, Director, Finance, School of Humanities
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Laurie Ebertowski, Executive Administrator, School of Natural Sciences, Department of BioSciences
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Vicki Armstrong, Executive Administrator, School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry
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Chris Rodriguez, Director of Research Administration, School of Social Sciences