A core research facility (CRF) is a long-lived organizational structure that manages, maintains and coordinates shared access to institutionally significant research infrastructure and services on behalf of the University.
Requirements
Each CRF is:
- housed in dedicated physical space(s)
- operated by professional technical staff
- provides access to equipment and services to users beyond those responsible for managing and staffing the CRF, including UW researchers (faculty, students, PDFs and staff), and may also include external academic, private sector, public sector and community partners
- manages access in an open, equitable and transparent manner by documenting equipment and services offered on an open database as well as advertising their equipment, services, user fees and scheduling systems
- adopts a clear constitution, outlining their responsibilities, management processes and decision-making processes
- follows a sustainable funding model that ensures the long-term financial viability of their operations
Operational framework
Leadership
CRFs are led by a director – usually a tenured faculty member, though in some cases the Director may be a full-time staff member
Staff
The day-to-day operations of a CRF is overseen by dedicated professional staff, normally led by a facility manager
Reporting
CRFs submit annual updates to the Core Research Facilities Board (CRFB) and their relevant academic unit head, outlining their financial position, their user base and utilization on campus and beyond, their activity over the previous year, and a brief assessment of risks and mitigation plans
Budgeting
CRFs follow balanced 3-year budgets to plan their operations that project both expenses and revenues
