The Office for Research Administration, with support from the Vice President for Research is offering a matching program for qualified departmental research administrators to obtain certification a Certified Research Administrator (CRA), which is a nationally recognized certification offered by The Research Administrators Certification Council website.
We are currently accepting applications for a new cohort of departmental research administrators that is interested in obtaining a CRA with exam dates for May or November of 2026. The cohort will meet periodically starting in December of 2025 through May 2026 with mentors assigned from ORA that will provide structured review sessions. Applicants will also be expected to commit significant individual time to self-study in preparation for the exam.
Funding Information:
The ORA matching program will provide for 50% of the cost of the certification exam, the practice exam, and a $1,500 bonus upon successfully passing the exam. The cost of the exam and practice exam will be covered regardless of the results of the exam. Departments are required to cover the other 50% for the staff member supported by this program. The estimated costs are as follows:
Total Cost | Department Share | VPR Share | |
CRA Exam | $400 | $200 | $200 |
CRA Practice Exam | $60 | $30 | $30 |
Bonus for Passing Exam | $1500 | $750 | $750 |
IU Fringe Benefits (6.75%) | $100 | $50 | $50 |
Total | $2060 | $1030 | $1030 |
Departments will pay for the cost of exams and be reimbursed for 50% by ORA/VPR. Bonus payments will be processed by the Office for the Vice President for Research under a plan approved by University Human Resources and departments will then be billed for 50%.
Program Requirements:
- Individuals must be eligible to sit for the exam according to the eligibility requirements as listed on the Research Administrators Certification Council’s (RACC) website: https://ptcny.com/pdf/RACC-CRA.pdf
- Individuals that currently hold or have formerly acquired a CRA are not eligible for this matching program
- Individuals must be a fulltime employee of Indiana University
- The matching program is only for support of the Certified Research Administrator and does not include the Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator or Certified Financial Research Administrator
- Applicants are required to take the exam in the 2026 calendar year for the Spring or Fall exam periods. Applicants will be selected on a first come/first serve basis based on the funding available to ORA.
CRA Eligibility Requirements:
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree and three (3) years of professional experience in research administration or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-funded organization; or
- An associate degree and five (5) years of professional experience in research administration or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-funded organization; or
- No degree and six (6) years of professional experience in the research administration or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-funded organization.
How to Apply:
If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the form linked below and submit it to Gabby Agostino (gcagosti@iu.edu) by November 7, 2025.