Office for Research Protections

ACOR Certification & Education Series (ACES)

About the Program

ACOR Certification & Education Series is an education and certification program developed by the Administrative Committee on Research and co-sponsored by the Human Resource Development Center.

The program is designed to give Research Administrators at every level - department, college, and institute - necessary skills and expertise to support faculty in research. The training will provide essential tools for every step of the research support process - from proposal development to project management to compliance.

ACES is a four semester (80 classroom hours) learning experience combining workshops, on-line education, mentoring, and competency assessment, all leading to certification. Participants enrolling in the program are expected to commit to all four semesters.

The series includes four certificates. Upon completion of all four certificates, participants will have earned the Penn State Certified Research Administrator (PSCRA) designation. The four certificates are:

  • Pre-Award Certificate
  • Compliance Certificate
  • Financial Basics Certificate
  • Project Management Certificate