ORCA Seminar Series
A full-day seminar series for faculty, staff, and administrators involved in research and sponsored programs. Attend one session or stay for the day.
When & Where
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Location: Helm 3002 / 3008 (Helm-Cravens Library)
Sessions are designed so participants may attend one or more. A lunch break is scheduled from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (on your own).
Register
Registration is requested so we can plan seating and materials.
Why Attend?
This seminar series provides in-depth information for those involved in research and/or sponsored programs. Session topics range from determining whether a project is human subjects research, to finding the right sponsor, completing required disclosures and research security training, reading federal funding announcements, reviewing an internal budget, and translating that budget into WKU account codes. This series is designed for participants to attend one or more sessions.
Who Should Attend
- Faculty interested or active in research and/or sponsored programs
- Staff involved in sponsored programs
- Administrators who oversee research and/or sponsored programs
Sessions
|
Time |
Session |
ORCA Unit |
|---|---|---|
|
9:00 – 9:45 a.m. |
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About IRB |
Office of Research Integrity |
|
10:00 – 10:45 a.m. |
A Deep Dive into Finding Funding |
Pre-Award |
|
11:00 – 11:45 a.m. |
Conflict of Interest Disclosures and Research Security Training: What You Need to Know |
Office of Research Integrity |
|
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Lunch Break |
— |
|
1:00 – 1:45 p.m. |
Decoding Federal Funding Announcements |
Pre-Award |
|
2:00 – 2:45 p.m. |
Grant Budget Blueprint |
Grants and Contracts Accounting |
|
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. |
Where the Dollars Go: Grant Budget by Account Code |
Post-Award |
|
4:00 – 4:45 p.m. |
Open Networking |
All ORCA Units |
Session Details
9:00 – 9:45 a.m. · Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About IRB
Presented by: Office of Research Integrity
Is it human subjects research? Learn how to answer that question and how the IRB application process works—including required training, how to complete an application, when to submit for approval, and step-by-step guidance on using IRBNet.
10:00 – 10:45 a.m. · A Deep Dive into Finding Funding
Presented by: Pre-Award
Explore resources available in the Pivot funding database and get practical tips for identifying the federal sponsor home that best fits your research or program needs.
11:00 – 11:45 a.m. · Conflict of Interest Disclosures and Research Security Training: What You Need to Know
Presented by: Office of Research Integrity
Learn why Research Security Training and Conflict of Interest disclosure are required, what covered individuals must disclose, why that information matters for research security, and when training and disclosures must be submitted.
1:00 – 1:45 p.m. · Decoding Federal Funding Announcements
Presented by: Pre-Award
An in-depth review of federal funding announcements (solicitations, RFPs, and RFAs) from NSF, NIH, and other federal sponsors. Covers terminology, common documents, reading between the lines, and submission guidelines.
2:00 – 2:45 p.m. · Grant Budget Blueprint
Presented by: Grants and Contracts Accounting
A practical walkthrough of internal budgets for sponsored programs.
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. · Where the Dollars Go: Grant Budget by Account Code
Presented by: Post-Award
Translate award budgets into WKU sponsored program account codes.
4:00 – 4:45 p.m. · Open Networking
Presented by: All ORCA Units
Whether you have unanswered questions or just want to say hello, ORCA staff will be available.
Questions?
Office of Research & Creative Activity
Email: research@wku.edu
Phone: (270) 745-6132
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