Announcements
- The 11th Annual Symposium for Research Administrators will be held Tuesday, October 20th at Union South.
- The call for session proposals will be open from
July 1 — 31. - Event registration will be open
September 1 — October 2. - The conference fee for 2026 will be $75, which includes concurrent sessions, keynote session, and meals.
- Past Symposia materials can be found under the Past Symposia dropdown above.
11th Annual Symposium for Research Administrators
Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 - Union South
Page Updated: July 14, 2026
The Symposium for Research Administrators is an exciting opportunity to establish connections and expand the knowledge of research administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This year, symposium attendees will be offered a variety of in-person concurrent sessions to choose from depending on their interests. We will also hold discussion groups and roundtables to dive more deeply into research administration topics. Throughout the day we will touch on issues that involve multiple stages of the award life cycle. The Symposium aims to strengthen collaboration through shared learning experiences and conversation. We hope you enjoy the variety of topics, speakers, and networking opportunities!
Keynote: TBD
The Symposium Planning Committee is currently developing an exciting program for this year and we will make announcements regarding the keynote speaker as soon as details have been confirmed.
NEW THIS YEAR
This year, the 11th Annual Symposium for Research Administrators will include a new $75 registration fee. The fee helps support the overall symposium experience, including concurrent educational sessions, keynote presentation, and meals.
We recognize that this new cost may present challenges for some individuals or units, and we are committed to providing resources to help support participation. Information about available assistance and fee-support options can be found below:
Submit a proposal to present a session
Presenters play a vital role in the success of the Symposium by sharing their expertise, experiences, and best practices with colleagues across campus. In recognition of the time and effort required to prepare and deliver a session, the registration fee will be waived for accepted presenters.
Apply to present a session here by 5pm, July 31Volunteer assistance during the day
Volunteers provide valuable support that helps the Symposium run smoothly, from assisting with registration and logistics to welcoming attendees. To acknowledge their time and contributions, the registration fee will be waived for event volunteers.
Apply to volunteer here by 5pm, July 31Letter to give to your manager
For individuals seeking departmental support for the registration fee, we have prepared a letter outlining the value of Symposium participation and the professional development opportunities it provides, which attendees may share with their manager or unit leadership when requesting funding assistance.
Letter to Support Symposium Attendance