About the Office of Research Administration
The Office of Research Administration (ORA) is part of the Office of Research reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research, who is assisted by two Associate Vice Chancellors for Research. ORA consist of several functional units, the largest of which are Human Research Protection, Research Assurances, and Sponsored Projects.
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research
The Assistant Vice Chancellor (AVCR) manages the activities of the Office of Research Administration with the primary mission dedicated to facilitating, strengthening, and advancing the research, instruction, and service goals of the University of California, Irvine. The AVCR coordinates activities with individuals and offices to promote responsible and ethical conduct of research and other sponsored activities. Other responsibilities include staff support of the Conflict of Interest Oversight Committee (COIOC), a regulatory committee charged with the review of financial interests of investigators; the classification of University gifts; advising on export control matters; and research policy review and implementation.
Research Assurances
Research Assurances (RA) is responsible for managing the University's programs for research compliance, involving animal care and use, stem cell research, export controls and radioactive drug research. Staff provide administrative support to UCI's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), the Human Stem Cell Review Committee and the Radioactive Drug Research Committee. The RP staff: a) provide assistance to investigators on research requirements and the protocol submission process including advice on the completion of the application, b) prepare protocols for committee review, c) present educational materials and updates to faculty, staff and students, and d) maintain documentation of the protocol review and approval as required by Federal regulatory agencies.
Human Research Protection Program
The Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) is responsible for managing the University's programs for research compliance related to human subjects research. This includes providing administrative support to UCI's Institutional Review Boards (IRB). The RP staff: a) provide assistance to investigators on research requirements and the protocol submission process including advice on the completion of the application and consent form development, b) prepare protocols for committee review, c) present educational materials and updates to faculty, staff and students, and d) maintain documentation of the protocol review and approval as required by Federal regulatory agencies.
Sponsored Projects
Sponsored Projects staff act as UCI's institutional officials in the review and submission of proposals to extramural sponsors for research, training and public service projects. Other institutional responsibilities include: negotiating and accepting awards on behalf of The Regents; drafting, negotiating and executing subcontracts; ensuring institutional compliance with Federal and State regulations, sponsor policy and University policy; representing the campus and The Regents when interacting with sponsors; coordinating pre-award and post-award actions that require either institutional or sponsor prior approval; and resolving problems related to sponsored projects.
ORA Training Unit
The ORA Training Unit provides support to all ORA educational activities for faculty, staff and students. The highly regarded Research Administration Management Program (RAMP) is a comprehensive, certificated training program developed to provide campus participants with an improved understanding of regulations, policies, and procedures; strengthen internal controls; and provide access to important resources and contacts when they need help.
The Quarterly Research Administration Meetings (QRAM) provide campus and medical center staff, faculty and students with updates on current events and changes in research administration. QRAM topics have included: Get Smart about Clinical Trials; Animal Activism – is it all hype or is it real; Finding Funding in a Flat Fiscal Phase; and, Stem Cells: Biology, Politics and the Law.
Self-paced, on-line electronic research tutorials review core concepts for the responsible conduct of research involving human research participants and animal subjects. In addition, the unit offers an on-line tutorial for faculty and employees involved in the preparation and submission of grant applications to Federal sponsors entitled Introduction to Grants.gov.
The training unit supports other meetings on and off-campus for faculty, staff and students. Requests for on-site training are welcome.
