Cardinal Research Administration Foundational Training (CRAFT)

The Cardinal Research Administration Foundational Training or CRAFT program is Stanford's foundational research administration training program effective 10/1/24.  CRAFT replaces the historical Cardinal Curriculum research administration training program.     

Note: If you have an in-progress Cardinal Curriculum enrollment, you can still complete it by taking the CRAFT equivalent courses.   

• The CRAFT program is divided into two certificate programs: CRAFT Level 1 and CRAFT Level 2. 
• Individuals should complete CRAFT Level 1 prior to completing CRAFT Level 2.
• CRAFT Level 1 courses introduce the basic principles, resources, and Stanford practices for research administration at Stanford. These courses must be completed within 6 months of hire into a position that involves research administration.
• CRAFT Level 2 courses build upon the foundation set in CRAFT 1 and further explore the mechanics for preparing and submitting basic science (non-clinical) sponsored project proposals and administering sponsored projects at Stanford. The courses must be completed within 18 months of hire into a position that involves research administration.

Effective 10/1/24, new hires into non-School of Medicine RA 1-4 job codes and/or locally identified as having Pre-award and/or Post-award department research administration job duties must complete CRAFT Level 1 and Level 2 within 18 months of their hire.  

School of Medicine Research Administrators and/or SoM individuals working regularly in research administration are highly encouraged to complete CRAFT Level 1 and Level 2 within 18 months of their hire, and they may be required to do so by their manager/department.

Note: While it is possible to complete all of CRAFT Level 1 and Level 2 in one academic quarter, given the number of courses and amount of content contained in these two certificate programs, we highly encourage learners to pace themselves and follow a more protracted learning schedule.  For example, complete all of CRAFT Level 1 and the CRAFT Level 2 required web (self-paced) courses in your first quarter, then complete the CRAFT Level 2 Preward webinars and begin taking electives in the following quarter, and then in your third quarter complete the CRAFT Level 2 Post award webinars and any remaining outstanding electives.

CRAFT Level 1

Register for the CRAFT Level 1 : ORA-PROG-1111 Program in STARS , and then complete the four (4) CRAFT Level 1 courses to receive your CRAFT Level 1 Certificate.

• Note: You will receive historical credit towards your CRAFT Level 1 program certificate for any CRAFT Level 1 courses you completed in the 365 days preceding your CRAFT Level 1 enrollment.  If you completed all four (4) CRAFT Level 1 courses in the 365 days preceding your CRAFT Level 1 enrollment, STARS will automatically complete your CRAFT Level 1 program certification, and you will have no further CRAFT Level 1 action items.

• The two CRAFT Level 1 Zoom Webinars are offered once each month every month.  Winter 2025 Webinar Dates are Available for Registration in STARS Now.  Spring 2025 webinar dates will be added to STARS by the end of January 2025.

CRAFT Level 2

After completing the CRAFT Level 1 Program, register for the CRAFT Level 2 : ORA-PROG-2222 Program in STARS, and then complete the 30 CRAFT Level 2 required courses in addition to 9 elective courses to receive your CRAFT Level 2 Certificate.

• Note: You will receive historical credit towards your CRAFT Level 2 program certificate for any CRAFT Level 2 required courses you completed during the 365 days preceding your CRAFT Level 2 enrollment. 

• Each required CRAFT Level 2 Zoom Webinar is offered once each academic quarter (Fall, Winter, and Spring).  Winter 2025 Webinar Dates are Available for Registration in STARS Now.  Spring 2025 webinar dates will be added to STARS by the end of January 2025.

Complete Required CRAFT  Level 2 Courses:

Complete 9* Elective Courses:

*Denotes those courses ORA recommends for department research administrators that provide Preaward and Post award support to their investigators.  Please confer with your local manager and school level RA point of contact for the specific CRAFT elective courses they recommend/require.  Schools and units may require their RAs to complete more than 9 CRAFT elective courses.

Note: You will receive historical credit towards your CRAFT Level 2 program certificate for any CRAFT Level 2 elective FIN courses you completed anytime preceding your CRAFT Level 2 enrollment. Additionally, you will also receive historical credit towards your CRAFT Level 2 program certificate for any CRAFT Level 2 elective ORA and/or DOR courses you completed during the 365 days preceding your CRAFT Level 2 enrollment. 

Note:  For all ORA hosted CRAFT Zoom Webinar courses, learners must log into the relevant Zoom session using their Stanford laptop or desktop computer no later than 10 minutes after the given session start time, remain logged in through the end of the session, participate in all live session polls, and complete the prescribed independent learning assignment that is linked to on the last slide of each course's presentation slides within 2 weeks of attending the live webinar with a passing grade of 80% or more to receive credit for the given course.

Megan Dietrich, Assistant Director, Client Advocacy & Education

Jon Lavigne,  Client Advocacy & Education Specialist

Lauren Campbell,  Research Administration Instructional Designer