The Research Administration Institute Leadership Series (RAI-LS) is designed to provide leadership and management training for senior-level research administrators. The RAI Leadership Series is required for RACI classified leadership positions and others in leadership roles as identified by Campus, School of Medicine/Nursing, and Central Administration Management Centers. 

Beginning in FY21, RAI is transitioning from a single, one-day event to a leadership series focusing on building leadership skills to support Duke’s ever-changing work environment and building community across research administration leaders. The Office of Education for Research Administration and Finance (OERAF) will host monthly, hour-long RAI-LS sessions, each focusing on a specific, relevant leadership topic. Participants may be asked to complete small assignments pre or post-session, depending on the topic.

RAI-LS participants will be asked to complete a specific number of RAI sessions annually to be compliant and earn certification. RAI-LS participants maintaining their certification will be provided with requirements each fiscal year. It is important to note since RAI-LS focuses on leadership skills, it is completely separate from other Duke RACI certifications (RAA, AGM, FCC, RAI) and must be maintained separately from those certifications.

RAI-LS participants who are required to complete the certification will be notified directly by OERAF and provided with specific information, including topics and dates of sessions. 

Individuals who have RAI, the previous iteration of the certification, but are not in RACI leadership positions or other positions identified by management centers to participate in RAI-LS, will maintain their current RAI by completing annual CE requirements for other Duke certificate programs.

Contact OERAF at ResearchFinanceEd@duke.edu with questions.