Institutional Funding & Proposal Development Series™
Research Administration Foundations Pathway™
Build Institutional Funding Capability Through Better Systems, Stronger Leadership, and Strategic Proposal Development.
Develop the knowledge, systems, leadership practices, and institutional coordination needed to strengthen proposal readiness, improve funding success, and build long-term research capacity.
12 Modules | 12 Contact Hours | Self-Paced | Immediate Access
Institutional Capability Statement
Purple Sheep Institute™ develops more than individual expertise.
We help institutions build sustainable funding capability by strengthening both the systems and the people responsible for identifying opportunities, developing competitive proposals, coordinating institutional resources, and advancing research success.
Because sustainable institutions are built by developing both systems and people.
Who Should Enroll
The Institutional Funding & Proposal Development Series™ is designed for professionals and institutional leaders responsible for building strong proposal development practices, advancing research growth, and strengthening organizational readiness for external funding.
Whether you are beginning your research administration career or leading an established research enterprise, this series helps develop the knowledge, judgment, and institutional perspective needed to support sustainable research success.
This series is ideal for:
- Research Administrators
- Pre-Award and Sponsored Programs Professionals
- Grant Development and Research Development Professionals
- Department and College Research Administrators
- Principal Investigators seeking a stronger understanding of the institutional proposal process
- Research Managers and Directors
- Office of Sponsored Programs teams
- Research Leadership and Executive Administrators
- Institutions developing new or expanding research enterprises
Build Capability Across Your Organization
Strong research enterprises are built through shared knowledge, consistent practices, and coordinated institutional systems, not isolated expertise.
Purple Sheep Institute™ helps organizations strengthen workforce capability by developing the knowledge, decision-making, and operational consistency needed to support long-term institutional success.
Our learning experiences can be used to:
- Build foundational knowledge across research administration teams
- Standardize proposal development practices and institutional processes
- Strengthen workforce onboarding and professional development
- Improve collaboration across colleges, departments, and central research offices
- Support research growth initiatives and institutional capacity building
- Create a shared understanding of institutional expectations, governance, and best practices
Whether you are developing a single professional or an entire research enterprise, Purple Sheep Institute provides flexible learning solutions designed to strengthen both the people and the systems that drive institutional performance.
Institutional learning options include:
- Enterprise Learning Licenses
- Team and Department Cohorts
- Pathway-Based Workforce Development
- Executive Education
- Institutional Labs™
- Customized Learning Experiences
Start an Institutional Conversation
Begin with the Foundational Series to build a strong foundation in institutional capability.
Select Your Learning Path
Foundational Series (Modules 1–6)
Build a strong foundation in proposal development, sponsor requirements, institutional approvals, and compliance before funding begins. Strengthen planning, documentation, and decision-making for successful proposal submission.
6.0 CPE | Self-Paced | Immediate Access
Recommended Learning Path
Next: Modules 7–12
Foundational Series (Modules 1–12)
Master proposal development, sponsor requirements, compliance, and institutional readiness before funding begins. Strengthen planning, documentation, decision-making, and proposal success across the pre-award lifecycle.
12.0 CPE | Self-Paced | Immediate Access
Explore a Pathway™
Advance into the Research Administration Professional
Explore Individual Modules
For a limited time, individual modules are available as standalone learning experiences, allowing professionals to explore the Purple Sheep Institute learning model before committing to a complete series.
These introductory offerings are available exclusively within the Institutional Funding & Proposal Development Series™, Institutional Compliance & Control Systems Series™, and Post-Award Financial Stewardship Series™.
Individual module enrollment will conclude on December 31, 2026. Beginning in 2027, learning will be available exclusively through complete series, pathways, and institutional learning experiences.
Module: 1
Award Interpretation & Institutional Obligation Analysis
Understand how award terms translate into institutional responsibility and risk.
1.0 CPE | Self-Paced | Immediate Access
Module: 2
Financial Stewardship Systems in Sponsored Programs
Learn how institutions structure financial oversight and accountability before spending begins.
1.0 CPE | Self-Paced | Immediate Access
Module: 3
Cost Allowability, Allocability & Financial Judgment
Strengthen decision-making around costs, documentation, and financial risk.
1.0 CPE | Self-Paced | Immediate Access
Module: 4
Subrecipient Governance & Third-Party Accountability
Understand how institutions manage risk and accountability across external partners.
1.0 CPE | Self-Paced | Immediate Access
Module: 5
Documentation Systems & Financial Compliance Controls
See how strong documentation systems protect institutions during review and audit.
1.0 CPE | Self-Paced | Immediate Access
Module: 6
Award Closeout Governance & Institutional Exposure
Understand how closeout decisions impact compliance, reporting, and institutional risk.
1.0 CPE | Self-Paced | Immediate Access
Continue Building Institutional Capability
Institutional capability is built through continuous learning, strong leadership, and intentional systems development. Continue your journey through Purple Sheep Institute’s learning pathways to strengthen both the systems and the people who drive research excellence.
