What is research development (RD) and how is it done? Even professionals who have worked extensively with funded research and researchers throughout their careers may feel like they only know the landscape of their specific jobs and responsibilities. Because RD roles in organizations and institutions vary (and units are often siloed), it can be hard to get a full picture of RD as a field and how it fits into the research enterprise. RD101 will help you understand the field, expand your existing skill set, and explore new ways to support research at your institution.  

Course topics include:

• What is RD? Who is the RD Professional?
• Components and Elements of the RD Process—Institutional and Professional Cultures and How They Affect the Work of RD
• Working with Researchers
• The Proposal Itself:  Requirements and Constraints
• Helping Researchers Produce Effective Proposals

There are no prerequisites for RD 101; it is intended for new RD professionals (those with fewer than two years of experience in RD) or those considering becoming RD professionals.  The developers and instructors are all experienced RD professionals from a range of institutions (e.g., centralized and decentralized, R1s, PUIs) and have designed the course around the skills and information they wish they’d had when they first entered the profession.

This 5-week pilot program is open to NORDP members only and features a general session on Monday's along with a weekly breakout on either Thursday or Friday. The course is limited to 25 participants.