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Grant Writing - Part 1: Introduction

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 22:24:32 GMT

Grant Writing - Part 1: Introduction.

You have been asked to facilitate a researcher submitting a grant. Now what?
This presentation will provide a framework to use to review the first draft, prepare meaningful feedback and not feel quite so overwhelmed. Grant writing is quite methodical, but you need to know the methodology to be effective. The webinar will provide you with a strong foundation on which to build your grant writing experience.

Presented by: Jamie McInnis

Jamie is the Senior Research Grants coordinator working with researchers, their teams, industry and government to move technology along the technology readiness levels toward commercialization. After 12 years at the University of Calgary, Jamie joined the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology as their Senior Grants Officer in 2018. Jamie is a successful grant writer; securing and/or then managing over $54.3M in scientific funding. Her work is focused on writing large and small-scale grant proposals. She supports their management to ensure the outcomes and reports are achieved on time and within budget. Jamie believes that supporting research requires flexibility, initiative and strong adaptability to take on the many roles that are required for a research project or program to be successful. She has a Master's degree in Policy, her PMP designation since 2014 and three technical and business writing certifications.

Grant Writing - Part 2: Intermediate

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 22:24:34 GMT

Grant Writing - Part 2: Intermediate.

So now you know how to write a grant, let's kick it up a notch. This webinar will cover selecting peer review members, how to critique your application and others, use of keywords, budget tips, drafting letters of support, working with collaborators, diverse dissemination, how to handle the team, HQP and methodology details. If you have been writing grants for a while and want to start to challenge yourself, this webinar will help you to critique your work and bring it to the next level.

Presented by: Jamie McInnis

Grant Writing - Part 3: Advanced

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 22:24:35 GMT

Grant Writing - Part 3: Advanced.

Even advanced grant writers can use reminders and tips to advance their submissions. As the volume of grants we write increases, we can get stuck in a rut and not see how our style might need a refresh. The grant field is getting more competitive and this webinar will bring a new shine to your tried and true tactics. We will cover strategic alignment, using images, tables and whitespace, a discussion on innovation and activity schedule content. Fresh ideas on how to express Benefits to Industry and Benefits to Canada, and some strategies to weave in EDI. All good grant writers have their own tips and tricks. We can all benefit by sharing our unique styles, tips and tricks. Participants will be encouraged to share their ideas via comments as the discussion goes along.

Presented by: Jamie McInnis

College Best Practices – Discussion Group

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 22:24:39 GMT

These interactive, bi-monthly meetings invite college research administrators to share information about the strengths and challenges of their research offices. Newer offices to seasoned setups that have changed and grown over the years – all are welcome to share best practices, pitfalls, cautions, and lessons learned in how to create a functional and successful applied research office within the broader institutional college setting.

Registering below will grant you access to the following "College Best Practices – Discussion Group" sessions:

Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 12-1pm ET
Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 12-1pm ET
Wednesday, January 21, 12-1pm ET
Wednesday, March 18, 12-1pm ET

Facilitated by: Rachel Brown

Rachel is the Manager of Finance Operations and Compliance at Niagara College’s Research & Innovation division, and the current President of the Canadian Association of Research Administrators (CARA).

Grant Facilitators’ Journal Club Series 2026-27

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 22:24:43 GMT

April 10, 2026, 2-3pm EDT.

Join us, every second Friday of the month, to share your reflections, experiences, and get advice from others as we discuss a journal article from our field of work.

The article chosen for discussion will be announced in the week prior to the meeting. To consult the list of past presentations: Journal Club Sessions.

Watch the CARA listserv or CARA website for more information on upcoming sessions and contact the organizers to suggest a future journal club article or to volunteer to host a session. Registering below will grant you access to all Journal Club sessions from April 2026 to March 2027.

As a way to continue our monthly conversations, we have started an on-line Grant Facilitators Community of Practice (CoP). Participants are mostly Journal Club Attendees. If you would like to join, please contact coordinator@cara-acaar.ca to be added to the list.

Next Session:

The next Grant Facilitators’ Journal Club is Friday, April 10, 2026.

Presenter: David Bruce, St. Francis Xavier University

Article: Jennings Mathis, K., Herbell, K., Ali Muhammad Ali Charania, N., Williams, K., Mechling, B., Ngosa Mumba, M., Paun, O., & Willis, D. G. (2024). Lessons From the Field: Strategies for Success in Obtaining Grant Funding. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 30(3), 677–682. https://doi.org/10.1177/10783903221124158

Organizers:

Brandi Povitz

Research Grants Development Officer

Cumming School of Medicine | University of Calgary

brandi.povitz@ucalgary.ca

Gen Clark

Manager, Research Development and Graduate Affairs

College of Pharmacy and Nutrition | University of Saskatchewan

gen.clark@usask.ca

Ann-Marie Field

Research Facilitator

Faculty of Communication | Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)

field.ann-marie@uqam.ca

Let's Talk AI Club 2026-2027

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 22:24:45 GMT

Held on: Apr 15 2026, Jun 17, 2026, Sept 9, 2026, Nov 18, 2026, Jan 20, 2026

Join our bi-monthly “Let’s Talk AI” Club sessions! As the field of generative AI rapidly evolves, research administrators face the challenge of staying informed. Our sessions feature expert speakers who delve into practical applications of generative AI tools. Learn how to harness this technology effectively in research administration. Engage in group discussions and get your questions answered during our Q & A period.

Organizers: Karen Mosier and Bonnie Zink

Karen E. Mosier

Research Coordinator

Department of Surgery/University of Saskatchewan

Bonnie Zink

Knowledge Mobilization and Community-Based Learning Specialist

SK-NEIHR

bonnie@bonniezink.com

Welcome to CARA: CARA Members' Orientation

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

April 20, 2026, 12-1PM EDT.

Welcome to the Canadian Association of Research Administration. This webinar is a free webinar on how to maximize the value of your CARA membership and will cover our many programs and volunteer opportunities. You will also have the opportunity to connect with your network and other members. Please bring any questions you have and join our LinkedIn group too.

Presented by: Alison Prescott, CAE (She/Her/Elle)

Manager, Programs and Services | Gestionnaire des programmes et servicesCanadian Association of Research Administrators | L'association canadienne des administratrices et des administrateurs de recherche (CARA/ACAAR)

From Strong Ideas to Fundable Proposals: Helping Researchers Craft Winning Grant Applications

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

April 27, 2026, 12-1PM EDT.

Although researchers possess deep expertise in scholarly writing, many continue to face challenges when translating that expertise into competitive grant applications—an area in which research advisors play a critical role. This webinar, intended for new research advisors or those who would like a refresher, will provide a structured overview of the core elements that characterize a fundable proposal, along with strategies for guiding applicants in strengthening the coherence, persuasiveness, and feasibility of their submissions. It will also highlight key tools, supports, and best practices to enhance researcher preparedness and improve overall application quality. While the SSHRC Insight program will serve as the primary example, the principles and approaches discussed will be broadly applicable across Tri-Council funding opportunities and relevant to diverse granting contexts.

Presented by: Kelly-Anne Maddox

Kelly-Anne Maddox has over 20 years of experience in research development. In 2013, she joined the University of Ottawa as the Senior Research Advisor in the Faculty of Arts, where she works in pre-award services, award submission, and international initiatives. She holds a PhD in French literature and was previously an Associate Professor at Thompson Rivers University. She has been a member of the CARA board since 2024.

Safeguarding the Lab: Navigating Research Security and Insider Threats in 2026

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

April 28, 2026, 12-1PM EDT.

In today’s hyper-connected global landscape, innovation is both a premier asset and a primary target. As research becomes increasingly collaborative, the risk of unauthorized access, foreign interference, and the theft of intellectual property (IP) has reached unprecedented levels. Research security is no longer just an administrative requirement; it is a critical pillar for protecting an institution’s reputation, its competitive edge, and Canada’s national interests.

This webinar provides a masterclass in identifying and mitigating threats to the research lifecycle—from protecting sensitive inputs and proprietary data to securing final scientific outputs. We will explore the architecture of a robust Research Security Program tailored for Canadian institutions, with a deep dive into the complexities of Insider Threats.

Drawing on real-world case studies from a leader who has commanded security intelligence operations within Canada’s most sensitive federal organizations, attendees will gain actionable insights into:

• The Anatomy of Insider Risk: Understanding behavioral indicators and the "why" behind internal breaches.

• Proactive Defense: Implementing the eight core security controls to mitigate operational and strategic risks.

• Compliance & Strategy: Aligning institutional protocols with evolving national security guidelines and funding requirements.

Presented by: Meagan Keaney Senior Security Project Manager, OnPar Solutions

Meagan Keaney is a distinguished security and intelligence executive with over 22 years of experience leading multi-disciplinary teams across the Canadian government, Crown corporations, and NGOs. Throughout her career, she has been a strategic architect for high-stakes initiatives, including national security policy renewals, cybersecurity governance, and identity management frameworks.Meagan’s extensive leadership background includes serving as a Manager and Intelligence Officer with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), where she oversaw external reviews and complex international operations. She further diversified her expertise as the Senior Manager of Security Intelligence Operations at the Bank of Canada, where she led the institution's first insider threat investigations and executed enterprise-wide cybersecurity programs. Most recently, she served as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) for the Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS), where she envisioned and built the Corporate Security Sector from the ground up.

Currently a Senior Security Project Manager with OnPar Solutions, Meagan brings a "front-line" intelligence perspective to the private sector. She holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Mass Communication from Carleton University. Her unique ability to translate complex security intelligence into operational success makes her a sought-after speaker on institutional resilience and the protection of national innovation.

2026 National Conference

Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The 2026 national conference will be held in Richmond, British Columbia May 10-13.

Onboarding Processes for Staff and Students in Research Offices

Mon, 04 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

March 26, 2026. 12-1PM ET.

The session will look at resources our two colleges have created to support the onboarding of employees and students in our respective research offices. The session will look at how the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) at George Brown College developed an ORI Toolkit to quickly and effectively integrate new members to the college's research teams. The toolkit also serves as a general guidebook for all ORI employees.

The Session will also look at a resource Langara College has developed for students in the Research Centre. Equipping student employees with a solid research foundation prior to starting their day-to-day work is imperative at the Applied Research Centre at Langara College. We have designed an Onboarding course using the Pebblepad platform. The course includes learning modules that must be completed prior to one-on-one supervisor training; and reflection questions that have to be answered at various times in the semester. The learning modules consist of mandatory sections for all to complete and specialized sections to be completed as needed, depending on the work subject areas.
This webinar was a session at the CARA 2025 National Conference.

Presented by: Rosalina Declaro and Seetha Kumaran

Rosalina Declaro:

An accountant by profession, Rosalina Declaro has over twenty years of experience in office administration, finance and accounting. Coming from the private business sector, she joined George Brown College in 2012. She leads the finance, operations and reporting team of the Office of Research and Innovation, as well as manages the budgets for the department and all research projects. Over her career, Ms. Declaro has built on her experience of smoothly managing complex operations in a variety of industries, ensuring that the many cross-sections of research at George Brown College converge seamlessly.

Seetha Kumaran:

With over 18 years of dedicated experience in research administration at post-secondary and research institutions, Seetha Kumaran has established a career in project, operation and budget management. She has successfully project-managed numerous million-dollar research grants with stakeholders across the country. Seetha’s experience has encompassed managing the full project lifecycle, from inception to completion. She contributes strategic and operational oversight, develop project plans, identifies risk mitigation strategies, and sets and monitor timelines while ensuring that compliance for each project is met. At the Applied Research Centre at Langara College, Seetha fulfils many critical roles, including global grant budgeting and forecasting, employment contracting, and student liaison. She brings sensitivity to workplace culture, problem solving and a commitment to high levels of service. Seetha prioritizes the successful onboarding of new staff and students. With a passion for creating supportive and inclusive environments, she tries to make sure that every team member feels welcomed and prepared.