Student filling out paperwork

Potential Applicants

Supporting and HArmonizing Research Endeavors (SHARE) Program OH-based Research Leadership Regional Community of Practice (RCOP) Member

Applications accepted through February 13, 2026

Funded by the National Science Foundation’s Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Equity and Diversity (GRANTED) initiative, the SHARE Program is designed to provide peer- and senior-mentorship and knowledge transfer through formal training and skill development activities for those aspiring to research leadership positions. The SHARE Program will create networks of research leaders, strengthen collaborations among institutions in order to facilitate resource sharing, and provide opportunities for cohort members to broaden their expertise and professional connections. Participants will take part in every-other-week phone calls to engage in discussion and knowledge transfer and participate in one yearly in-person site visit (funds are available to offset costs of participating).

The SHARE Program aims to expand leadership training opportunities and pathways for individuals interested in research leadership roles and seeks applications from individuals currently serving as senior research officers (SROs: titles differ greatly, but this would include anyone overseeing a college/university’s centralized research office) as well as those aspiring to research leadership positions (including others within a central research office and those serving a decentralized research support function). Although individuals from all Ohio institutions are welcome to apply, preference will be given to applicants at emerging research institutions (those with less than $50 million in annual federal research expenditures).

Who May Participate

The SHARE program is open to individuals in positions and roles with responsibilities related to building and supporting research capacity and competitiveness. The SHARE program leverages participant expertise such that participants learn from each other; thus, participants should have served in their roles for at least a year so that they may contribute to discussions. Applicants should also come from institutions with active investigator-initiated research.

SHARE Research Leadership Regional Communties of Practice (RCOP) Program Goals:

  • Provide opportunities for cohort members to deepen expertise in critical areas typically overseen by SROs and address the pressing need for the preparation and mentoring of those in senior research leadership positions.
  • Provide leadership training opportunities and pathways for aspiring SROs, including mentorship, networking, and knowledge transfer, through formal training and skill development activities.
  • Strengthen collaborations among institutions in order to facilitate resource sharing.
  • Increase the capacity of all participating institution and expand the pipeline of qualified candidates with an interest in research leadership positions.

2026 Application Schedule

  • Feb. 13, 2026 – Applications accepted by 5:00 PM EST
  • Feb. 17, 2026 – Application available to review committee for evaluation
  • Week of Feb. 23, 2026 – Review week (date to be determined)
  • Feb. 27, 2026 – Review committee decisions finalized
  • March 2, 2026 – Program contacts notify applicants of review committee decisions
  • Week of March 15, 2026 – Every-other-week calls begin
  • Summer 2026 – First Annual SHARE RECOP Conference at Kent State University

Applications will be accepted electronically (as a single PDF document) until 5:00 PM EST on Friday, Feb 13, 2026.

Applications should be submitted here: OH-based Leadership RCOP Application Portal.

Submission Documents

All applications must include the following, clearly delineated in separate sections, within the allotted page limits indicated below for each proposal component. Line spacing must not be smaller than 1.5 lines, font size must be at least 11 points, and margins must be at least 1”.

All four sections below should be included within one combined PDF for submission. Please label this document using the following format: Last Name, First Initial_Cohort1RCOP.date.

1. Application Cover Sheet

Provide an application cover page that includes your name, position title, institution, and relevant contact information.

2. RCOP Participant Training Plan (maximum of 5 pages)

Applicants should provide enough context with respect to current expertise, scope of responsibilities, and skills to be developed such that reviewers are able to evaluate the feasibility and impact of this training program. Applicants should provide context as to how they would benefit from participation in this cohort and take full advantage of training and resources offered.

It is recommended that applicants address the following in the proposed training plan. These items will be evaluated as part of the review criteria:

  • Describe your readiness for RCOP program participation, your career goals, and the timing of this program relative to those career goals.
  • Describe the current state of research (investigator-initiated, not institutional research) at your institution (e.g., how many IRB/IACUC reviews do you conduct in a year, how many external/federal research grant proposals do you submit a year).
  • Describe how your primary and/or secondary areas of expertise and responsibility (e.g., research development, government relations, research compliance, sponsored programs, etc.) associated with your current and past research leadership and administration roles will benefit the cohort.
  • Identify 2-3 areas of expertise and responsibility to be developed as part of the RCOP program. Contrast these with your current responsibilities and explain how expanding insight/competence in these areas will contribute to you professionally and to your institution.
  • Describe proposed questions of interest to be explored during the RCOP program (within the topical areas identified in the bullet above). Provide any knowledge, background, and/or context such as current challenges, recent reports, and/or publications.
  • Describe the expected outcome resulting from participation in the OH-based Leadership Regional Communities of Practice (RCOPs) program (e.g., how will you expand your impact in research administration nationally, regionally, and/or within your institution; how will your participation positively impact your own institution as well as institutions you visit).
  • Describe ways in which RCOP program training will contribute to your career development as well as to the broader research enterprise.
  • Summarize your expertise and perspective and how that will benefit others in the program.

3. Letter(s) of Support and Recommendation

You may provide UP TO 2 letters of support and/or recommendation.

4. Current CV

Please limit to 5 pages. Reviewers will focus primarily on your administrative accomplishments (i.e., you need not list all publications, lectures given, or funding received, if relevant).

5. Questions?

Please contact Denise Karshner (Project Director) at dkarshne@kent.edu; ph: 330-672-5845