Adapting and Advancing: The Evolving Role of Research Administration

Insights from the 2025 SRAI Annual Meeting

Cayuse was proud to sponsor and attend the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) Annual Meeting, a premier event that gathers research administration professionals from academia, industry, government, and nonprofit sectors for a rich blend of education, networking, and strategic dialogue focused on the evolving landscape of research administration.

Attendees had the opportunity to connect with thought leaders and peers on a wide range of topics, from operational matters like budgeting, grants management, cost sharing, confidentiality agreements, and export controls, to emerging themes including artificial intelligence in research administration, global collaboration, workforce development, and team health.

In this blog, we’ll explore major themes and key takeaways from the event. We’ll also highlight the Cayuse-sponsored dinner, where current and prospective Cayuse customers came together for an evening of community, connection, and conversation.

Six major themes and takeaways from the 2025 SRAI Annual Meeting stood out across the sessions:

1. Strategic and Operational Innovation

Many sessions highlighted how research administration is evolving beyond its traditional support role to become a strategic partner within institutions. Topics included the integration of AI into workflows, the development of internal funding programs, and data-informed decision-making. Research administrators are expected to contribute directly to institutional strategy and help drive research competitiveness.

2. Efficiency, Risk, and Compliance Management

Institutions are striving to strike the right balance between meeting regulatory obligations, managing risk, and operating efficiently. Sessions covered refining pre-award and post-award processes, improving service center cost models, aligning clinical, educational, and research missions, and minimizing administrative burden. The push to streamline and modernize without compromising oversight or integrity remains a central priority.

3. People, Professional Development, and Well‑being

Speakers strongly emphasized the human side of research administration. Sessions addressed workforce support, leadership development, and strategies to enhance team well-being. As the profession becomes more complex and demanding, success increasingly hinges on strong teams, positive workplace culture, and investments in professional growth—not just systems or policies.

4. Global, Inclusive, and Cross‑sector Collaboration

Research today is inherently collaborative and increasingly global. The program highlighted the importance of partnerships that span academia, industry, government, and nonprofits, as well as across borders. Topics included supporting diverse research teams, managing international collaborations, and aligning institutional structures to support inclusive engagement.

5. Technology and Data‑Driven Administration

Technology was a common theme throughout the conference, with many sessions focused on how research offices can use tools to enhance efficiency, transparency, and insight. From automation and workflow tools to analytics dashboards, administrators are being asked to do more with less and to do it smarter. The future of research administration is undeniably data-driven.

6. Research Impact & Communication

Finally, institutions are placing more emphasis on telling the story of their research. Sessions explored how to measure, communicate, and amplify impact through metrics, community engagement, policy influence, and innovative outreach strategies. Research administrators will continue to play a key role in connecting research to real-world outcomes and elevating institutional visibility.

Adapting to a Shifting Research Funding Landscape

The Cayuse team was thrilled to connect with customers and prospective partners at our sponsored dinner, with special thanks to the two research leaders from Rice University who shared their insights on navigating recent challenges in research funding and how their teams are adapting through collaboration, strategic planning, and innovation.

In response to recent research funding pressures, the Rice University team implemented several key adaptive strategies. These included a comprehensive contract risk assessment to identify high-risk agreements and the potential deferral or restructuring of projects by shifting some funding to later years. Recognizing faculty concerns during this period, the team emphasized empathetic, clear, and consistent communication to maintain trust and support collaboration.

Data and reporting have become foundational to strategic planning, resource allocation, and operational efficiency. As priorities shifted, the focus moved from growth planning to leveraging data for risk reduction, process optimization, and smarter resource planning.

To strengthen collaboration and communication across departments and research teams, especially during times of disruption, their research compliance office is focused on building strong relationships, enabling cross-institutional partnerships, and reducing administrative burden through efficient, behind-the-scenes support.

Lastly, the department is investing in integrated technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency and better support researchers. These upgrades include Smart IRB and four Cayuse modules—Animal Oversight, Outside Interests, Vivarium operations, and Vet Care—designed to centralize data, reduce manual work, and ease the administrative load on faculty and research teams.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 SRAI Annual Meeting made it clear that research administration is undergoing a significant transformation—from a support function to a strategic force driving institutional success. The conversations, sessions, and shared experiences reinforced the importance of adaptability, innovation, and collaboration in meeting the evolving demands of the research enterprise.

At Cayuse, we’re proud to support the research community with solutions that align with these emerging priorities—from streamlining operations and reducing administrative burden to enabling smarter, data-driven decision-making. We’re also grateful for the opportunity to connect with our customers and peers at events like SRAI, where shared learning drives collective progress.

As we reflect on the insights from this year’s conference, we’re more committed than ever to partnering with institutions to advance research and to empowering the people who make it happen.