Building Research Infrastructure and Developing to Grow Emerging Research Institutions (BRIDGE)
The BRIDGE project expands grant seeking at University of Wisconsin predominantly undergraduate institutions by strengthening post-award research administration, building administrative capacity, and supporting a sustainable research enterprise.
Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation
Collaborative NSF Awards
- University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (Lead Institution)
Award No. 2453458 - University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh
Award No. 2453459
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Award Nos. 2453458 and 2453459.
What is BRIDGE?
The Building Research Infrastructure and Developing to Grow Emerging Research Institutions (BRIDGE) project is a National Science Foundation funded initiative that develops and evaluates a post award research administration model for University of Wisconsin predominantly undergraduate institutions. The project brings together campus partners to strengthen administrative capacity, improve post award support, and expand opportunities for externally funded research.
Why BRIDGE?
Predominantly undergraduate institutions play an important role in research and student success, but many have limited administrative resources to support externally funded projects. Faculty often balance teaching, mentoring, grant management, and administrative responsibilities while navigating increasingly complex sponsor requirements.
BRIDGE addresses these challenges by developing practical approaches to post award research administration, sharing knowledge across UW institutions, and evaluating strategies that strengthen research administration and support a sustainable research enterprise.
How BRIDGE Works
BRIDGE brings together three complementary initiatives to strengthen post award research administration and expand research capacity at University of Wisconsin predominantly undergraduate institutions.
Develop the PostARC Model
Develop and evaluate a Post Award Research Coordinator (PostARC) model that provides administrative support, builds campus resources, and identifies opportunities to improve post award research administration.
Conduct an NCURA Peer Review
Partner with the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) to conduct a first of its kind peer review focused on post award research administration. The review will identify strengths, opportunities, and promising practices that can be shared across institutions.
Create a UW Community of Practice
Establish a Community of Practice where UW institutions can share knowledge, resources, and experiences to strengthen post award research administration and support continuous improvement.
Together, these initiatives provide practical strategies that strengthen administrative capacity, reduce administrative burden, and support a sustainable research enterprise across UW predominantly undergraduate institutions.
Strengthening Post Award Research Administration
BRIDGE strengthens post award research administration by developing and evaluating practical approaches that build administrative capacity, improve grant management, and support a sustainable research enterprise across University of Wisconsin predominantly undergraduate institutions.
Research Leaders
BRIDGE supports principal investigators, project directors, faculty, and research teams by strengthening post award research administration and reducing administrative burden. This allows researchers to spend more time advancing their research while maintaining compliance with sponsor requirements.
Students
Strengthening research administration creates more opportunities for students to participate in externally funded research, gain hands on experience, and contribute to projects that enhance learning and professional development.
Institutions
BRIDGE develops and evaluates strategies that strengthen administrative capacity, improve post award support, and create sustainable research administration practices that can be adapted by predominantly undergraduate institutions.
Universities of Wisconsin
Through a UW Community of Practice, BRIDGE encourages institutions to share knowledge, resources, and promising practices that strengthen post award research administration across the Universities of Wisconsin.
Looking Ahead
BRIDGE is developing and evaluating approaches that strengthen post award research administration at University of Wisconsin predominantly undergraduate institutions. Through the PostARC model, an NCURA peer review, and a UW Community of Practice, the project will identify effective practices, build administrative capacity, and create resources that support a sustainable research enterprise.
As the project progresses, BRIDGE will continue to share findings, tools, and lessons learned to help institutions strengthen research administration and expand opportunities for externally funded research.
Developing Effective Practices
Develop and evaluate the Post Award Research Coordinator (PostARC) model to strengthen post award research administration and build administrative capacity.
Sharing Knowledge Across Institutions
Expand the UW Community of Practice by sharing resources, lessons learned, and promising practices that support continuous improvement.
Evaluating Project Outcomes
Assess project activities and outcomes to identify effective approaches and inform future research administration practices at predominantly undergraduate institutions.
Supporting Long Term Sustainability
Create practical resources and adaptable models that institutions can use to strengthen post award research administration beyond the BRIDGE project.
The Post-Award Research Concierge (PostARC)
A cornerstone of the BRIDGE project, the Post Award Research Coordinator (PostARC) model is being developed and evaluated to strengthen post award research administration at University of Wisconsin predominantly undergraduate institutions. The model provides coordinated administrative support, builds institutional capacity, and helps principal investigators and project teams manage the administrative responsibilities of externally funded research.The Post Award Research Coordinator (PostARC) model is designed to strengthen post award research administration by providing coordinated support throughout the award lifecycle. Rather than creating another administrative office, the PostARC works collaboratively with principal investigators, project directors, faculty, research teams, and campus partners to improve communication, coordination, and post award processes.
By identifying effective practices and developing practical resources, the PostARC model supports administrative capacity, reduces administrative burden, and contributes to a sustainable research enterprise at predominantly undergraduate institutions.
Award Management
Provides coordinated post award support throughout the award lifecycle, helping research teams navigate sponsor requirements, administrative processes, and institutional procedures.
Campus Partnerships
Works collaboratively with finance, human resources, procurement, compliance, and other campus partners to strengthen communication, coordination, and post award support.
Research Support
Reduces administrative burden by providing coordinated support that allows principal investigators and research teams to focus on research, mentoring, and student engagement.
Process Improvement
Evaluates existing post award practices, identifies opportunities for improvement, and develops practical approaches that strengthen research administration.
Training & Resources
Develops guidance, tools, and resources that strengthen institutional knowledge and support consistent post award research administration practices.
Continuous Improvement
Evaluates project activities, shares effective practices, and uses lessons learned to strengthen post award research administration across predominantly undergraduate institutions.
