The Canadian Association of Research Administrators (CARA) is the national voice for research administrators in Canada and a nationwide community that brings together research administration professionals fulfilling a diverse range of roles in a field that is complex and ever-evolving. CARA is committed to supporting the profession by offering members a safe, inclusive, and equitable professional space to learn and grow through networking with peers, sharing best practices, professional development, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. We are also committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the Research Administration profession; this includes working towards identifying systemic barriers to equitable participation in and with the association.
With over 1000 members, our professional organization's strength is in its diversity and comprehensive approach to research administration. CARA provides a critical interface between all stakeholders in the management of the research enterprise. CARA is governed by a volunteer executive board of directors and is guided by our strategic plan. CARA also partners with other organizations in Canada like Network of Networks to advance its objectives and increase opportunities for members. CARA is a proud member of the International Network of Research Management Societies (INORMS) that brings together research management societies and associations from across the globe. Its purpose is to enable interactions, share good practice, and coordinate activities between the member societies, to the benefit of their individual membership, and works with international sister organizations.
New members can learn more about CARA by attending one of our Members' Orientation webinars.
The purposes of the Association are:
- to foster research administration and management expertise in Canada by facilitating a strong and vibrant community,
- to provide and facilitate robust career and professional development programs and services for members,
- to enable synthesis and dissemination of information/knowledge on research administration and management with a view to developing individual and organizational excellence.