Academic Affairs

For Researchers

We are committed to the well-being and success of all community members. Columbia complies with all applicable civil rights laws and does not engage in illegal preferences or discrimination. 

Resources for Researchers 

CUIMC and CU offer a wealth of resources available to research faculty, including:

  • Faculty development and mentorship opportunities for investigators.
  • Grantsmanship support.
  • Research support services.
  • Sponsored projects information.
  • Compliance information. 

Faculty Development for Researchers 

Research Team Management Series 

This series for researcher faculty and PIs covers skills essential for recruiting and managing an effective and synergistic research team. Click here to learn more.

GRANTWISE SERIES 

Applying for funding can be a complicated process given the ever-changing policy requirements and the ever-increasing number of required components in an application.

The goals of the GRANTWISE Series are to provide grantsmanship tips that are applicable to all applications as well as provide an overview of NIH grant opportunities that are specific to early stage investigator (ESI) faculty and trainees.

The info sessions also cover best practices for working with your administrators and guide participants to resources for preparing an application and managing an award. Each session is typically held once a year. Click here to learn more.

GRANTWISE - "Writing Specific Aims"

The GRANTWISE series covers all you need to know about writing successful NIH grants.

The most vital section of any NIH grant application is the Specific Aims section. This section is the master plan and central focus of an NIH research grant and is a key part that all reviewers read. This workshop provides insight into the elements of an effective and strong Specific Aims section.

Participants are asked to bring a draft of their Specific Aims with them and work through the session on developing this draft.

General Resources

  • The Office of the Columbia University Executive Vice President for Research administers the policies governing the conduct of research at the University and the management of its research programs. The Office assists investigators seeking external funding, promotes interdisciplinary research, and provides seed money for innovative early-stage research. It promotes an institutional environment that sustains the high quality of the University’s research programs while ensuring that research is conducted in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and University policies.
  • RASCAL is a web-based suite of IT modules that was developed to simplify the University’s research compliance and administration processes.
  • Columbia Technology Ventures is the technology transfer office for Columbia University and a central location for many of the technology development initiatives, entrepreneurial activities, external industry collaborations, and commercially-oriented multidisciplinary technology innovations across the university. CTV’s core mission is to facilitate the transfer of inventions from academic research labs to the market for the benefit of society on a local, national, and global basis.
  • The Research Radiation Safety Handbook is a reference guide for faculty and staff who conduct research involving the use of ionizing radiation.
  • Funding and Grantsmanship for Research and Career Development Activities is a comprehensive course designed for Columbia University students, post-doctoral scientists, clinical fellows, new investigators, faculty, and administrators. Those not wishing to formally register are welcome to audit. This course addresses best practices for grant writing, proposal development, and submission of competitive applications to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other government and non-government funding agencies. Topics addressed include identifying sources of support, the different types of funding mechanisms, planning and organizing research and career development proposals, and the grant application submission and review process (including review criteria).

Sponsored Projects

  • The Sponsored Projects Administration Office provides a wide array of services and support to the research community, such as pre-and post-award activities that relate to research funding, establishing accounts (account set up) within the University financial system and is responsible for the issuance, negotiation, and establishment of subcontract agreements for awards that involve collaborators outside of Columbia University.
  • The Sponsored Projects Handbook gives practical guidance to faculty and administrative staff of Columbia University in the management of sponsored projects funded by both governmental and private organizations.
  • Part of the Office of the Controller, Sponsored Projects Finance (SPF) includes the Research Policy & Indirect Costs (RPIC) group. These units are responsible for the overall management and operation of post-award financial administration of sponsored programs at the University, including coordination of the University’s periodic indirect cost rate proposal and effort certification processes.

Research Compliance and Procedures

  • The Office for Research Compliance and Training coordinates Columbia’s numerous existing compliance efforts and provides senior leadership with a comprehensive view of the University’s compliance activities.

Animal Research

  • The Animal Research Handbook is a companion resource to the Sponsored Projects Handbook. It is a reference guide for faculty and staff who are involved in research using animals.
  • Columbia University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is committed to facilitating quality animal research that is conducted in an ethical and responsible manner to further science and improve human and animal health.

Human Subjects Research

  • The Columbia Human Research Protection Office (HRPP) /Institutional Review Boards (IRB) is composed of all entities, offices, and individuals engaged in or responsible for the review and conduct of human research at Columbia University (CU) and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH). The program is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all human research studies conducted by Columbia faculty, employees, and staff are conducted ethically and in a manner that promotes the protection of participants in research.

Clinical Research

  • The Clinical Research Handbook is a companion resource to the Sponsored Projects Handbook. It is geared toward the clinical research coordinator and again follows the key phases of conducting clinical research at Columbia, from training to audits.
  • The Clinical Trials Office (CTO) respects the necessity to maintain rigorous patient safety standards while still recognizing the importance of bringing medical innovation to patients as quickly as possible. The CTO provides a diverse menu of services to sponsors and investigators to ensure efficient time to market for cutting-edge treatments.