Aga Khan University

Developing a Supportive Research Administration Ecosystem - Project Summary/abstract Aga Khan University (AKU) Is a Private, International, Not-for-profit Institution Whose Network of Medical Centers and Hospitals Throughout East Africa and Central and South Asia Grant Unique Access to Populations Not Served by Any Other Health Organizations in the World. Aku’s Health Networks Offer an Unprecedented Opportunity to Engage Some of the World’s Poorest and Most Vulnerable Populations and Generate Health Data That Can Drive Effective, Evidence-based Interventions and Policy to Improve the Health Equity on a Multinational Scale. to Maximize the Potential of These Important Health Networks in Their Ability to Conduct Groundbreaking Research, Aku Seeks Funding to Transform Its Existing Research Administration Infrastructure Through Rigorous Capacity Building and a Broad Revision of Policies and Procedures. the Specific Aims of the Proposed Training Program Are: (1) to Transform Aku’s Policies and Procedures Around the Needs of Grant-funded Research; and (2) to Build Research Administration Capacity at Aku and Ultimately at Other Research Institutions Across Pakistan Through the Development and Delivery of Training Workshops. Critical Gaps in Aku’s Current Grants Administration Include a Lack of Widespread, Shared Knowledge of Pre- Award Proposal and Budget Development; Post-award Financial Budget Management, Revision Processes, and Tracking; Financial Reporting; Metrics and Data Tracking; Records Retention and Auditing Processes; and Ethics Compliance for U.s. Funders. Aku Also Needs Support Identifying How to Integrate and Leverage Data in Its Existing Systems to Meet Standards for Compliance and Reporting With U.s. Funders. the Objectives for This Project Are to: (1) Develop a Strategic Plan for Improving Research Administration and Financial Management of Research Projects, Especially Those Sponsored by U.s. Federal Funders; (2) Deliver Tailored Training and Educational Resources to Address Critical Knowledge Gaps in the Management and Administration of Research Sponsored by U.s. Federal Funders; (3) Establish New Business Practices for Improved Efficiency and Transparency That Better Meet the Standards and Requirements of U.s. Federal Funders; and (4) Develop and Disseminate Key Resources (new Formalized Business Processes and Procedures, an Employee Reference Manual, and Training Courses for Internal and External Stakeholders) to Ensure Understanding of, Compliance With, and Long-term Sustainability of Improved Business Processes Both Within Aku and at Other Institutions Across Pakistan. These Project Objectives Will Be Achieved Through a Collaborative, Iterative Development Process With the University of Washington (uw), a Longtime Partner, and Will Be Supported by a Working Group Composed of Senior Managers and Senior Grants Administrators From Departments Across Aku’s Faculty of Health Sciences and an Advisory Board of Senior Aku Leaders Who Will Ensure Institution-wide Adoption of New Processes, and Long-term Sustainability of This Overall Transformation Program.