Practice Test Geeks(CRA) Certified Research Administrator Practice Test
← All CRA Flashcard Decks

Project Development and Proposal Preparation Flashcards

7 cards from real CRA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Project Development and Proposal Preparation flashcards as text

  1. A research administrator is preparing a proposal that includes equipment costing $6,000. Under 2 CFR Part 200, this item is classified as:

    Answer: Supplies, expensed in the year of purchase

    Under 2 CFR Part 200, equipment is defined as tangible personal property with a per-unit cost of $5,000 or more; items below this threshold are classified as supplies.

  2. Which document establishes the basis for negotiating a federally negotiated indirect cost rate with a cognizant federal agency?

    Answer: Facilities and Administrative (F&A) cost proposal

    An F&A cost proposal documents the institution's actual costs for space, utilities, administration, and other overhead, forming the basis for rate negotiation.

  3. A PI wants to change a co-investigator to a new researcher mid-project. Under most federal awards, this requires:

    Answer: Prior approval from the sponsor

    Changes to key personnel are a prior-approval requirement under 2 CFR Part 200.308, requiring sponsor authorization before the change is made.

  4. What is the purpose of a concept paper or white paper submitted to a federal agency before a formal solicitation is issued?

    Answer: To gauge agency interest and feedback before investing in a full proposal

    Concept papers allow applicants to receive informal feedback on alignment with agency priorities before committing resources to a full proposal.

  5. Which type of program announcement indicates that NIH will accept applications at any time during a specified period with no fixed deadline?

    Answer: Program Announcement (PA)

    Program Announcements (PAs) describe standing NIH interests with standard submission dates, while RFAs have a single receipt date and set-aside funds.

  6. A proposal budget includes a 3% annual salary escalation for a two-year project. This practice is an example of:

    Answer: Standard budgeting for anticipated cost increases

    Projecting salary escalation rates reflects expected increases and is an allowable, standard budgeting practice as long as the rate is reasonable and documented.

  7. A research administrator notices that the sponsor's RFP explicitly prohibits indirect costs. The institution's negotiated rate is 55%. What should the administrator do?

    Answer: Waive indirect costs as required by the sponsor's terms

    When a sponsor explicitly prohibits indirect costs, the institution must comply with those terms, though this may require internal approval per institutional policy.