Administrative OrganizationsUniversity Research Administration Office (URA Office)
The URA Office supports research conducted by Shinshu University and its collaborative industry-government activities. We accomplish this by obtaining grants, management of project funds, consultation regarding contracts and agreements, and providing effective and practical advice for successful research.
What is the URA Office ?
Beginning April of 2014, the office reorganized to become the Shinshu University industrial liaison and social engagement organization.
What is the Work of a URA ?
Senior URA
URA
Common items
Nanomaterial, fiber, and environment manager
Bio
Humanities and sciences fusion manager
Workflow of a URA
We have just seen the job description of Senior URAs and URAs as bullet points, but from these bullet points it is difficult to get an image of what they do and why. Therefore, let us track the tasks undertaken by the URA Office as a time series. (*Strictly speaking the content will vary depending on what is being supported and the ultimate objective of the researcher or research group)
Pre - awardWork prior to
obtaining funds, etc.
①Collect information on researchers within the university
Collect information on all researchers in Shinshu University, determine the status and results of the research of researchers within Japan and overseas, and carry out objective evaluation, etc. It is important to accurately determine what researchers are researching what, and what their strengths are. First the status within the university is thoroughly determined.
②Determining trends within Japan
Next information on research trends in Japan is collected from the point of view of both trends in national policy and academic trends, and the status is determined. Obtain an understanding of what research can budgets be obtained for, in other words what fields the Central Government is focusing on, and an understanding of what the Central Government is requiring. In addition, using customized databases link to outside academia and collect a wide range of information so that no trends are missed. This is very effective when later formulating the research strategy and plans.
③Matching research and trends
Compare ① and ②, and find combinations of research and domestic trends by asking what research can utilize the strengths of Shinshu University?, what research has the potential to achieve national development and worldwide success?, and what research can national budget be obtained for or could be evaluated as being beneficial for the country? What is important in this case is to precisely determine the standing of the university both within Japan and overseas. This is because it is important to achieve results. For example, if the target is not accurately defined for a public call for proposals, there is a possibility that results cannot be obtained thinking that the real strengths of the university cannot be utilized. At this stage, the Senior URA carries out further matching with the overall strategy of the university, and undertakes to develop a large scale project in accordance with the objectives of the university as a whole. Many researchers are gathered, and a plan is formulated for the centers of research in collaboration with industry that have the latest large scale equipment. This is a typical example.
④Assembly of proposal information → Preparation of application documents
Next comes the work of submission of the proposal for research funds, etc. URAs provide know how or guidance on preparation of application documents in accordance with laws and regulations, or provide support for preparation of documents. Also, the research strategy and plan required for submission are prepared, so that the research will be smoothly carried out after funds are obtained, and a detailed plan is prepared so that finally results will be obtained. If centers managed by Senior URAs are formed, several researchers are assigned either as individuals or to a group. In addition in many cases there is participation from companies or from government, so detailed coordination is necessary. An operation plan for the facilities that will serve as bases and prior coordination with each department and arrangements for collaboration, etc., must be carried out.
Post - awardWork after obtaining
funding, etc.
⑤Research management
The project is managed so that it can proceed in accordance with the plan. Periodically checks may be carried out to determine the status of progress and so that the objective can be properly achieved (results obtained). Also, as the research progresses it becomes necessary to manage or protect the intellectual property, and carry out contract negotiations with companies for technology transfer (product development, commercialization) of the research results. In these cases a URA with knowledge of patents or legal matters is necessary.
⑥Progress report
The results are also reported to the funder and those to whom the results are to be reported. In some cases there is a requirement to submit a report at the end of the academic year, so support is provided to prepare the documents, etc. Also, the URA acts as an intermediary within and without the university informing of the research results and investigating subsequent further developments, and searches for methods and directions to utilize new strengths of researchers and Shinshu University.
The capabilities that a URA must have are extremely varied, including of course knowledge of each individual research, as well as information collection capability and analysis capability, formulating strategies and tactics (formulating plans) on the assumption that they will be implemented, implementing these plans and the capability to carry out coordination to mobilize people and materials to achieve the goals. However, the position of the URA within Japan is still vague, and the capabilities and the work content of the URA vary depending on the university. We are working to raise the level of URAs and at the same time to steadily accumulate achievements, to raise the evaluation and recognition of URAs as a specialist, with the aim of raising their standing. We are also taking the lead in raising the level of the URA in Japan to the level in the United States with the aim of achieving the advancement of human resources necessary in each university.
