Is Your Research Office Positioned for Success? Start With a 10-Question Checkup
Research administration and research development are evolving faster than most institutions can keep up. New funding models, global competition, shifting compliance demands, and the rise of strategic proposal development all mean one thing: research offices must operate smarter, not harder.
But before investing in new systems, staff, or structures, institutions need to answer a simple question:
Where do we actually stand today?
To help leaders get a quick, high-level snapshot, we created a 10-Question Research Operations & Development Checkup, a short diagnostic that highlights strengths, flags potential gaps, and starts the conversation about what a high-performing research enterprise looks like in 2025.
This is not a full audit.
It’s the first step.
What the Checkup Helps You See
In just a few minutes, you’ll get a sense of whether your institution has:
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The foundational processes needed for compliant, efficient operations
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The strategic support necessary for competitive proposal development
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Clear roles, workflows, and expectations across research-facing units
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A healthy balance between operations and growth activities
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The internal capacity to pursue larger, more complex funding opportunities
The results point you toward areas where deeper evaluation or targeted support may be needed.
Who the Diagnostic Is For
This quick assessment is ideal for:
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Research administrators
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Research development professionals
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Sponsored programs leaders
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Deans or department chairs
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New VPRs/VCRs looking for a baseline snapshot
Whether your office is centralized, hybrid, or distributed, the questions help surface key patterns in how your research enterprise is functioning.
Why Start Here?
Most institutions know they need to improve, but the real challenge is knowing what to prioritize first.
This diagnostic gives you:
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A fast, objective starting point
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A simple score
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A few insights to guide next steps
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A foundation for deeper discussions with your leadership team
Think of it as a temperature check before you begin building or restructuring your research office.
Ready to See Where You Stand?
Take the 10-Question Checkup below and get instant, high-level insights.