National Research Administrator Day Date in the current year: September 25, 2024

The success of research is usually attributed to the scientists, doctors or faculty members who carry it out. On the one hand, it is well-deserved; on the other hand, scientists are not the only people who make research possible. Administrative research assistants, also known as research administrators, provide support to researchers, ensuring that nothing distracts them from work.

The duties of research administrators vary depending on the field (science, medicine, social science, economics, the humanities) and the subject of research. They include, but are not limited to, researching funding sources, writing grant proposals, providing clerical assistance, negotiating the terms of research contracts, financial management, and more.

As a matter of fact, research administration carry out mundane research-related duties so that scientists and scholars can focus directly on the research process. At the same time, many research administrators have an academic background because in order to organize research, you need to know a thing or two about the field you’re working in. Others have a finance background, which also helps them greatly because research administration requires to deal with funding and budgets.

The profession of research administration began to emerge in the 1940s and has grown to enjoy a considerable demand. Research administrators work in higher education establishments, research institutions, healthcare and medical institutions, government agencies, commercial organizations, and non-profit organizations.

National Research Administrator Day was created in 2015 at the initiative of the National Council of Research Administrators. Although it’s not an official holiday (i.e. it hasn’t been proclaimed by the Congress or President), it is celebrated by research administrators and managers throughout the United States.