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.

Fall 2025 & Winter 2026 CRAFT Webinars are Open for Registration in STARS. 

View the Complete Fall & Winter ORA Webinar Schedule Here.       

All Stanford new hires into Research Administrator (RA) 1-4 job codes must complete CRAFT Level 1 and Level 2 within 18 months of their hire. 

• Non-School of Medicine individuals outside (RA) 1-4 job codes that are locally identified as having Pre-award and/or Post-award department research administration job duties must also complete CRAFT Level 1 and Level 2 within 18 months of their hire.  
• School of Medicine individuals outside of (RA) 1-4 job codes that are locally identified as having Pre-award and/or Post-award department research administration job duties are highly encouraged to complete CRAFT Level 1 and Level 2 within 18 months of their hire, and may be required to do so by their local SoM manager/department.

How CRAFT Works

• 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.  However, individuals may enroll for CRAFT Level 2 courses prior to completing CRAFT Level 1.
  • CRAFT Level 1 courses introduce the basic principles, resources, and Stanford practices for research administration at Stanford. These courses must be completed within 12 months of hire into a position that involves research administration.
    • CRAFT Level 1 is comprised of 4 courses: 2 online, self-paced courses and 2 live webinar courses.

      • The two CRAFT Level 1 webinars courses are offered live once each month, every month.  

  • 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.  
    • CRAFT Level 2 is comprised of 30 required courses: 5 online, self-paced courses and 25 live webinar courses + 9 elective courses from a selection of 17.  16 of the 17 elective courses are online, self-paced courses, and 1 is a live webinar course.
      • For those that are new to research administration, we HIGHLY recommend that after completing CRAFT Level 1, you first complete as part of your CRAFT Level 2 learning the 5 required online, self-paced courses and then take the 25 live webinar courses + 9 elective courses from the selection of 17.

      • Each CRAFT Level 2 webinar course is offered once each academic quarter (Fall, Winter, and Spring).  

CRAFT Webinar Course Credit

For all ORA hosted i.e. ORA-#### CRAFT webinar courses to receive course credit learners must:

1. Enroll through STARS - Direct course enrollment links can be found below.
2. Log into the relevant live Zoom webinar using a laptop or desktop computer no later than 10 minutes after the scheduled webinar start time and remain logged in through the end of the scheduled webinar.
3. Participate in all live webinar polls.
4. Complete the prescribed independent learning assignment that is linked to on the last slide of each course's presentation slides (links below) within 2 weeks of attending the live webinar with a passing grade.

Be Kind to Yourself! 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.  This is why 12 months is afforded for CRAFT Level 1 completion and 18 months is afforded for CRAFT Level 2 program completion.  For example, complete all of CRAFT Level 1 and the CRAFT Level 2 required online, self-paced courses in your first quarter, then complete the CRAFT Level 2 Pre award 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 within 1 year / 365 days to receive your CRAFT Level 1 Certificate.

Note: You will receive historical credit towards a CRAFT Level 1 program certificate for any CRAFT Level 1 courses you completed in the 365 days preceding your CRAFT Level 1 program enrollment in STARS.  Thus, 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.

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 within 18 months / 550 days 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 550 days preceding your CRAFT Level 2 enrollment. 

For those that are new to research administration, we HIGHLY recommend that after completing CRAFT Level 1, you first complete as part of your CRAFT Level 2 learning the 5 required online, self-paced courses and then take the 25 live webinar courses + 9 elective courses from the selection of 17.

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. 

Questions?  Reach out to us!

Contacts

Megan Dietrich, Director, Client Advocacy & Education

Jon Lavigne,  Client Advocacy & Education Specialist

Lauren Campbell,  Research Administration Instructional Designer