Emerging Research Administrators Series™
Research Administration Foundations Pathway™
Build a Strong Foundation for Success in Research Administration.
Develop the knowledge, institutional perspective, and professional practices needed to understand the research enterprise, navigate institutional operations, support compliance, and contribute confidently across the sponsored research lifecycle.
12 Modules | 12 Contact Hours | Self-Paced | Immediate Access
Institutional Capability Statement
Purple Sheep Institute™ develops more than introductory knowledge.
We help institutions build workforce capability by preparing emerging research administrators with the foundational knowledge, systems awareness, professional judgment, and operational understanding needed to support research excellence from the very beginning of their careers.
Because sustainable institutions are built by developing both systems and people.
Who Should Enroll
The Emerging Research Administrators Series™ is designed for professionals beginning their research administration journey and institutions committed to developing a strong, capable workforce from the start.
Whether you are entering research administration for the first time, transitioning from another administrative role, or building foundational knowledge to support institutional research operations, this series develops the knowledge, professional judgment, and operational understanding needed to contribute with confidence.
This series is ideal for:
- New Research Administrators
- Research Administration Assistants and Coordinators
- Department and College Research Administrators
- Grant and Sponsored Programs Support Staff
- Faculty Research Support Professionals
- Research Development Coordinators
- Professionals transitioning into research administration
- Institutions onboarding new research administration employees
- Colleges and universities building workforce capability across research operations
Build Capability Across Your Organization
Strong research enterprises begin with strong foundations.
Organizations build long-term success by preparing new professionals with a clear understanding of the research enterprise, institutional operations, compliance responsibilities, and the collaborative nature of research administration.
Purple Sheep Institute™ helps organizations strengthen workforce capability by providing a consistent, structured learning experience that accelerates onboarding, supports professional development, and establishes a shared foundation for research administration excellence.
Our learning experiences can help organizations:
- Standardize onboarding across research administration teams
- Build foundational knowledge of the research enterprise
- Strengthen understanding of institutional operations and professional responsibilities
- Improve collaboration across departments and research support offices
- Develop workforce confidence, consistency, and readiness
- Support long-term professional growth and institutional succession planning
Whether you are developing a single professional or building the next generation of research administrators across your institution, Purple Sheep Institute provides learning experiences that strengthen both the people and the systems that sustain research excellence.
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 comprehensive understanding of the research enterprise, institutional operations, compliance responsibilities, and the core principles that define successful research administration. Develop the foundational knowledge and professional confidence needed to begin contributing effectively across the sponsored research lifecycle.
6.0 Contact Hours | Self-Paced | Immediate Access
Recommended Learning Path
Next: Modules 7-12
Full Series (Modules 1-12)
Develop a complete foundation in research administration by exploring the research enterprise, institutional operations, compliance, documentation, collaboration, and professional practice. Gain the knowledge and institutional perspective needed to support research excellence while preparing for continued professional growth through advanced learning pathways.
12.0 Contact Hours | Self-Paced | Immediate Access
Explore a Pathway™
Advance into the Research Administration Professional Pathway™
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.
