University of Minnesota
Office of Human Resources
http://www.umn.edu/ohr
612-625-2016

SPECTRUM and Other Sponsored Projects Admin Courses

Course Descriptions

SPECTRUM icon prepost  indicates the audience for the SPECTRUM course. Click on the symbol for curriculum details.


Asset Transfer Form

This online session will provide participants with a basic understanding of when, why, and how capital assets must properly be transferred through the completion of the Capital Equipment Asset Transfer Form. In addition, users will learn that the consequences of the improper completion of the form will result in negative impacts to the financial accuracy of accounts, reports, and other financial processes. NOTE: This course has narration, so you will need to access it using a computer that has audio capabilities.

Asset Transfer Form course

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Cost Sharing Fundamentals, SP05 SPECTRUM icon prepost

This instructor-led course covers the overall concept of cost sharing, why it is important to the University of Minnesota, and how to handle, document, and report it throughout the different phases of a sponsored project.

As a result of this training, participants will:

  • Understand roles and responsibilities during the various stages of offering and handling cost sharing commitments.
  • Understand all types of cost sharing to ensure proposals are prepared properly and in compliance with policies and sponsor guidelines.
  • Learn to identify, confirm, and provide accurate cost sharing information to applicable parties.
  • Evaluate a situation by using knowledge of federal and University policies and procedures to determine if cost sharing has been properly implemented.

Prerequisites: Sponsored Projects Overview, Research Compliance

Note: SP05 Cost Sharing Fundamentals is a modified version of SP04 Cost Sharing. Completions of this earlier course count towards the SPECTRUM curriculum certification.

Minneapolis West Bank
Tuesday, May 15, 8:30-12:30

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Effort Certification, SP14 SPECTRUM icon post

This instructor-led course will provide an overview of the effort certification process, roles and responsibilities, and policies. Participants will explore case studies that focus on meeting effort certification deadlines, compliance with federal regulations, and troubleshooting changes on effort statements. In addition, participants will gain hands-on practice using the effort certification system (ECRT).

Audience: This course is designed for effort coordinators and other staff involved in the effort certification process.

Prerequisites: Sponsored Projects Overview, Research Compliance

Minneapolis West Bank
Tuesday, June 5, 8:30-2:00

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Effort Certification for Certifiers

This online course is geared towards certifiers and researchers and includes principal investigators (PIs) in their role as certifiers. This course explains the Effort Certification Reporting Technology (ECRT) system and effort certification process. In addition, a “how to” of effort certification is demonstrated.

This course is not required for PIs and certifiers to gain access to the ECRT system.

Effort Certification for Certifiers course


EGMS Proposal Preparation, SP07 SPECTRUM icon prepost

This instructor-led course provides hands-on instruction for entering proposals into the Electronic Grants Management System (EGMS). Participants will understand how the system is structured and the how the information flows in the Proposal Routing Form. Particular emphasis is placed on using the online budget. Participants will understand EGMS, including the four databases and how the information flows between them. They will practice using the databases effectively with a sample proposal.

Note: previously taken EGMS Proposal Prep sessions fulfill this SPECTRUM course elective.

Minneapolis West Bank
Thursday, June 14, 8:30-3:30

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Managing Subawards, SP15 SPECTRUM icon post

This instructor-led course focuses on issues key to successful management of a subaward once it has been issued. Following a brief review of the subaward planning and issuance phases, participants will learn the major responsibilities of PIs and departments to effectively manage a subaward, including compliance oversight, review and approval (or disapproval) of invoices, technical progress reviews, providing additional funding or deobligating support, and the steps involved in closing out a subaward. Special circumstances, including disputes between subrecipients and the University, managing equipment title, PI transfers, handling foreign subawards, and managing export controls will also be covered.

Prerequisites: Sponsored Projects Overview, Research Compliance

Minneapolis West Bank
Tuesday, March 27, 8:30-12:30
Thursday, June 14, 8:30-12:30

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Planning and Issuing Subawards, SP10 SPECTRUM icon pre

This instructor-led course provides learners with an in-depth look at the various policies and procedures associated with planning and issuing a subaward. After completing this course, learners will be able to determine whether a given activity should be classified as a subaward or a contract for professional services; and will understand what paperwork is needed in order to include a subaward in a proposal, how sub-recipients are “vetted” by the University; and the special obligations associated with subawards under federal contracts. Participants will also understand how subawards are issued and what to do to start the subrecipient monitoring process during the life of the subaward.

Prerequisites: Sponsored Projects Overview, Research Compliance

Minneapolis East Bank
Tuesday, May 1, Noon-4:00

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Proposal Budget Creation, SP08 SPECTRUM icon pre

This instructor-led course provides a basic overview of the proposal budget creation process. Through hands-on, engaging case studies and activities, this course will provide participants with the necessary tools to be efficient, compliant, and successful during the proposal budget creation process.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain how a budget is related to a proposal.
  • Describe the phases of the proposal budget life cycle.
  • Distinguish between the different proposal budget types.
  • Recognize there are different project types and funding sources, which result in different implications for proposal budget creation.
  • Recognize the importance of following the sponsor guidelines and deadlines for proposal budget creation.
  • Explain the difference between and the implications of direct, indirect (F&A), and cost share costs included in a proposal budget.
  • Articulate the common policies and regulations that must be adhered to by all departments throughout the proposal budget creation process.
  • Recognize the importance of a proposal budget and how it sets the framework for spending throughout a sponsored project’s life cycle.
  • Prepare a proposal budget using basic calculations and guidelines for the completion of the common proposal budget categories (e.g., personnel, travel, F&A).
  • Revise a proposal budget based on common scenarios (e.g., SPA identified errors, sponsor changes or requests).

Prerequisites: Sponsored Projects Overview, Research Compliance

Minneapolis East Bank Minneapolis West Bank
Friday, June 15, 8:30-4:00 Thursday, May 17, 8:30-4:00, canceled

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Research Compliance, SP02 SPECTRUM icon prepost

This online course is a prerequisite for all core courses associated with the Pre- and Post-Award Departmental Research Administrator (DRA) Certification Programs. This course provides a basic overview of the federal regulations and policies that govern sponsored project management at the University of Minnesota. Specifically, it provides an overview of the three primary federal regulations that govern sponsored projects management conducted by colleges and universities: OMB Circulars A-21, A-110, and A-133. In addition, a high level overview of the various financial, administrative, personnel, and research policies that all DRAs must be aware of in their roles associated with sponsored project management is covered.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

  • Identify and access the federal regulations and policies associated with sponsored project management.
  • Use the resources and tools outlined in the course to ensure the sponsored projects they support are in compliance with University policies and federal laws. 

Allow at least one hour to take this online course. It consists of five sections: three on federal regulations, one on policies, and a conclusion. There are five pages to review in the course conclusion; the final page records a course completion to training records.

Prerequisites: Sponsored Projects Overview

Research Compliance course

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Sponsored Project Closeout, SP16 SPECTRUM icon post

This online course provide the post-award departmental research administrator (DRA) with an in-depth look at the closeout phase of a sponsored project. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Perform common closeout-related administrative and financial tasks according to your role in the process.
  • Access and interpret the Sponsored Award Overview report to identify items requiring attention. 
  • Resolve any issues brought to light by the Sponsored Award Overview report.

Prerequisites: Sponsored Projects Overview, Research Compliance

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Sponsored Projects Overview, SP01 SPECTRUM icon prepost

This online course provides a basic overview of sponsored projects at the University of Minnesota. The primary audience of this course is employees who serve in the role of the pre-award or post-award departmental research administrators. Employees in these roles are responsible for supporting sponsored projects during the pre-award or post-award phases.

Upon completion of this online course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand basic sponsored project terminology, such as types of sponsored projects and types of sponsored funding.
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities associated with sponsored projects.
  • Understand the life cycle of a sponsored project.
  • Identify resources available to pre-award and post-award departmental research administrators.

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Sponsored Projects Rebudgeting for Certified Approvers

This online course instructs Certified Approvers on how to verify the required steps for performing F&A rebudgeting calculations, access and use the online UMN Worklist Application (online request form that preparers will complete and CAs must review), and perform the required data entry and verification steps in the financial system to complete the net-rebudgeting process.

This course is currently not available.


Sponsored Reporting, SP03 SPECTRUM icon prepost

This instructor-led course provides an introduction to the sponsored reports available in UM Reports and PeopleSoft. Participants will learn how to locate the various reports, at what point during the sponsored project life cycle each report is beneficial, the business questions answered by each report, and how to read the data on the reports. This course is for departmental research administrators as well as fiscal monitors. These reports will provide insights into the financial management of a sponsored project, so in order to pull information pertinent to your college/admin unit, participants will need to bring their M Key and applicable account numbers (Fund, DeptID, sponsored award and project numbers, etc.).

Minneapolis West Bank
Friday, April 13, 8:30-Noon
Tuesday, June 26, 8:30-Noon

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Other SPECTRUM Courses Under Construction

Course Format Status
Proposal Assembly and Submission   FY12
Sponsored Award Setup and Initiation   FY13
Grants.gov   FY12
External Support Types   FY13
Managing Pre-award and Advanced Accounts   FY13
Project Spending/Non-labor   FY13
Sponsored Project Changes, Rebudgeting, and No-Cost Extensions Instructor-Led FY12
Managing Effort Instructor-Led FY12
Invoicing and Reporting   FY12
Cost Transfers   FY13

 To request disability accommodations, please contact Training Services, trngsvcs@umn.edu, 612-626-1373.