About Us
Our Story
The Research Administration Improvement, Strategy and Education (RAISE) Office was established in 2024 to address the evolving needs of research administration within the UNC School of Medicine. As part of the Sponsored Projects Administration Office (SPAO), we focus on standardizing processes, strengthening compliance, and enhancing efficiency across departments and units. Our services include business process improvement, education, training, support, tool development, and serving as a liaison with School and institutional offices. Through these efforts, we help ensure consistent, streamlined research administration that supports the School’s commitment to excellence in research and innovation.
Our Mission
We empower the UNC School of Medicine with standardized processes, practical tools, and strong partnerships. By streamlining research administration and optimizing operations, we enable faculty and staff to focus on advancing groundbreaking research.
Our Vision
To be a valued partner in research administration, recognized for driving clarity, consistency, and collaboration across the UNC School of Medicine. We envision a unified research administration community where standardized processes, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to excellence empower faculty and staff to achieve transformative research outcomes.
Our Impact
From streamlining research administration workflows to delivering practical, targeted training, RAISE supports departments and units in reducing errors, strengthening compliance, and improving operational efficiency. Through strong partnerships with offices such as OSP, SPO, OoR, and OVCR, we ensure departments and units have the resources, guidance, and support they need to excel in managing research and advancing discovery.
Our Expertise
Our expertise spans strategic partnerships, tools, training, and regulatory guidance, all designed to ensure consistent excellence across the School of Medicine.
- Strategic Partnerships – We collaborate with central and departmental offices to align operations with institutional priorities and foster strong, supportive relationships.
- Standardized Tools & Resources – We offer consistent, proven resources — from templates and calculators to process maps — that improve efficiency and reduce errors.
- Training & Development – We provide high-quality training designed to strengthen research administration skills, increase compliance, and promote
- Regulatory Guidance – We make navigating complex sponsor and institutional regulations easier with clear, accessible processes that ensure compliance and reduce administrative burden.