The State University of New York College at Brockport's experience in overcoming organizational challenges to implementing a successful sponsored research program is outlined step by step. A key to program success has been psychological support and supportive climate for faculty and staff through every stage of grant seeking. (Author/MSE)

This article proposes that preparation of a sponsored research proposal is a reasonable alternative to the doctoral dissertation as a means of demonstrating scholarly ability. The skills needed to complete a dissertation are seen as similar to those for developing, writing, and submitting a major proposal for federally sponsored research. (MSE)

The increasing competitiveness in international industry has raised new demands for effective research management, resulting in an array of science policy techniques and extensive experimentation. However, the new techniques must be tested, developed, and refined and applied with considerable caution before science policy can be based on them…

Discussion of cost management in international research projects looks at research activities supported by the European Community (EC) and their mechanisms for support, model interinstitutional contracts, and the difficulties encountered by institutions, and comments on the vital continued EC participation by universities in research and…

Research projects within the European Community (EC) have used different strategies and instruments for information dissemination and lobbying on national and international levels. The scientific community must have stronger autonomous representation in Brussels as an equal partner of the EC bureaucracy, similar to that in some member states.…

A collaborative research program in auger spectroscopy at the University of Liverpool (England) involved scientists from 12 universities and research groups in 5 European countries and financed with international funds is described. The experience of the collaborators suggests how similar projects might be initiated and managed. (Author/MSE)

Grants management staff at the Bureau of Health Professions, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, used existing computer technology and staff expertise to automate several steps in one grant program. Creative use of computers and software resulted in significant time savings, better staff use, and recording of data to improve grants…

A survey of research scientists (n=35) at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, investigated the usefulness of a funding newsletter generated by the office of research affairs. Results suggest that many researchers contact sponsors after seeing a newsletter announcement but need longer lead times and prefer a monthly publication. (Author/MSE)

Presents a framework for ranking college faculty based on their sponsored-project histories, a departure from conventional academic ranking. Distribution of faculty among these ranks within a unit produces a "funding persistence" profile capable of measuring faculty sponsored-project activity independent of the institutional-productivity model.…

A newly organized small college model for a decentralized institutional research office was described and evaluated. Using Hearn and Corcoran's six external or organizational forces (external environment, personalities or individual interests, management styles, power arrangements, microcomputing and telecommunications, and structural and…

Describes the development and use of a 7-item survey to evaluate sessions at an annual meeting of the Society of Research Administrators. Based on the 556 responses, the procedure proved an efficient and reliable method of obtaining information on sessions. Items addressed respondents' interest in the session, speaker qualifications and…

A study investigated how sustained faculty participation in research fund raising produced substantial increases in external funding while faculty morale eroded. Seven mechanisms based on principles of work motivation had been developed and implemented to help faculty increase external funding. It is suggested this situation resulted from…

Declining federal support for scientific research has led colleges and universities to turn increasingly to business for help. Ralph Nader recently complained that business threatens to take over the university. Closer examination suggests there is a problem but somewhat different and harder to resolve than that suggested by Nader. (Author/MSE)

The need for additional evaluation of university research support offices is supported through a review of the literature and an informal survey of these offices in public universities and doctorate-granting colleges. Regular, periodic evaluations are recommended. The suggested model combines internal, collegial, and peer evaluation for balanced,…

Based on the idea that clear communication between researchers and research administrators can help minimize problems in research project administration, Texas A&M University designed an orientation program to establish early communication and positive working relationships. A survey of 42 research administrators indicates a growing trend…