Abstract

SAM Registration, FCOI, Research Misconduct, Policy Guidance for Foreign Subaward, Other support... Familiar with these? Of course you are! If not, get ready for the ride of your life.

For researchers, writing a scientific proposal is part of the game. But for us, the administrators? Ensuring the compliance with international funders’ policies is our favorite challenge.

In this poster I will share practical examples and best practices, that can help RMAs set up a sustainable system of administering U.S. and UK grants that are open to worldwide applicants.

As an administrative coordinator and contracting facilitator for the International Division of the Institut Pasteur's Grants Office, I navigate the ocean of U.S. federal rules and requirements, and I am fully engaged with due diligence questionnaires, commonly requested by UK funders and international organizations such as WHO or UNICEF.

Look on the bright side: complexity helps us progress. I became an expert in the SAM (System for Award Management) registration process, and our institution established its own FCOI (Financial Conflicts of Interest) policy to ensure compliance with U.S. regulations.

Each new requirement involves setting up a detailed process to analyze requests from funding agencies, evaluate their impact on our institution, and determine the appropriate steps for implementation.

This poster will explore the challenges we face in applying compliance with U.S. rules and due diligence processes from the UK. I will share my experience and methods, highlighting take away messages on best practices for RMAs. I will focus on the importance of mapping institutional policies, an essential tool for responding quickly to all types of due diligence or compliance requirements.

Finally, this poster will remind us that we, RMAs, play a central role in monitoring compliance within our research institutions, maintaining their reputation by ensuring the proper use of grant funds — a prerequisite for securing future awards.