Join ECG’s Selina Fritze and Ryan Moynihan at the SRAI Annual Meeting, October 10–14, 2026, in Honolulu.
Why Attend?
Join us as we celebrate our shared commitment to excellence, collaboration, and growth in a setting that embodies both renewal and continuity. Together, we will move forward into the future of research administration.
Panels:
Demonstrating ROI for Research Organizations and Communicating the Value of Research
Monday, Oct 12
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (HST)
The global research funding landscape is undergoing a transformation that requires a thoughtful shift in institutional strategy.
As hospitals and health systems grapple with tightening margins and rising operational costs, the traditional cost center model for research is being challenged by executive leadership. Today, research directors and academic leaders are no longer just stewards of scientific discovery; they are increasingly tasked with justifying their programs’ economic existence to protect current investments and secure the capital necessary for future growth. Relying solely on the predictable yet limited cycles of federal grant funding is no longer a viable long-term strategy.
To remain resilient in a volatile economy, forward-thinking organizations must differentiate themselves by adopting a sophisticated portfolio approach to revenue. This involves looking beyond public funds toward venture-like investments, intellectual property monetization, and strategic private donor partnerships that align with long-term institutional goals. To successfully win over skeptical internal C-suite executives and discerning external stakeholders, a clear, quantifiable ROI story is no longer optional; it is a prerequisite for institutional survival.
However, a significant gap remains between the need for financial transparency and the current capabilities of most research offices. Many organizations lack the robust data infrastructure required to track ROI effectively, particularly when it comes to balancing direct financial returns with the more complex, downstream impact on clinical patient outcomes and broader community health. This deep-dive session addresses these gaps by providing a comprehensive framework for tracking and socializing the multidimensional value of research.
Selina and Ryan will explore how to build the necessary measurement infrastructure and translate complex data into a compelling narrative that transforms the research department from a budgetary line item into a strategic driver of institutional innovation and financial health.
