Research Notes

Research information from the Office of the Vice President for Research
for Brown faculty, grant-related staff, and students

A Brown-led research team used a computer simulation to compare the cost-effectiveness of four non-drug interventions to the usual care received by people with dementia, and found that the interventions not only resulted in a better quality of life, but also saved money. Read more.

Celebration of Research 2023

Recipients of the Brown Research Achievement Awards, Research Seed Funds, Richard B. Salomon Awards, the Peter G. Peterson Foundation Pandemic Response Policy Fund, and the Brown Technology Innovations Career and Innovation Impact Award were recognized and celebrated at the 2023 Celebration of Research on 4/24.

Office of Sponsored Projects

Guidance for Complex Proposal Submissions
This guidance document will aid departments and PIs in understanding how OSP defines a "Complex Proposal Submission" and aid in the planning, development and submission process. Look for this document on the OSP “Forms & Policies” page.

NSF has issued revised Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on proposal preparation and award administration
The new FAQs include updated information on Current & Pending Support, Cost Sharing and other topics of interest. See link for full details.

NIH/AHRQ/NIOSH revised post-submission material policy
For applications submitted for the 5/25/23 receipt date and beyond, the special exception is ended and applicants should follow the new policy. See NOT-OD-23-106 and related NEXUS article.

New NIH “In-Kind Support” Job Aid
This document will aid departments and PIs with filling out the “In-Kind” section of NIH Other Support documents. Look for this Job Aid on our Guidance and Reference for NIH Biosketch & Other Support page.

Cross-department collaboration/lead unit (parent department) responsibility
For successful project collaboration, OSP communicates directly with the PI/parent department. Parent department communicates 1) award set-up/new accounts; 2) budget/effort changes; child department submits budget revision for award record.

*NEW* webpage & training for participant support costs/REUs & RETs
OSP has a new webpage dedicated to guidance on participant support costs. In addition, the materials from our recent presentation can be found here and on our Training and Outreach page.

Research Administration Information Systems

*New* Huron Knowledge Center is now available with IRB system user guidance
Huron e-Submission System IRB Guidance is available in videos and PDF guides. To learn about using this new IRB system at Brown, visit this page.

*New* Huron e-Submission System for IRB technical support is available
Beginning on 5/15/23, if you encounter a technical issue when using the Huron e-Submission System for IRB, please submit a Huron support ticket, read more

*New* IRB role request ticket for the Huron e-Submission System
If you are a new member of a central office (OVPR or BioMed Administration) or a new IRB board member (or alternate), please read more for steps to request an IRB role.

Office of Research Strategy and Development

NSF Career Award development support
Applying for an NSF Career Award? Come to the ORSD-led mock panel to review your NSF proposal the week of 6/26. Register by 5/8 and submit your proposal by 6/5 to orsd@brown.edu. Details and registration.

The Science of Mentorship: Best Practices for Mentoring Students from Diverse Backgrounds (1-hour training)
Join Dr. Jane Indoorf of the Leadership Alliance to learn effective mentorship of undergraduates participating in research. Topics include setting expectations and leveraging research experience to advance careers. 5/25 at 9am (Zoom). Register.

Resource: Engaged Scholarship and Broader Impacts
Are you developing a proposal that requires a broader impact component, or looking to incorporate outreach and engaged scholarship activities into your research? See these resources from the Engaged Scholarship and Broader Impacts Working Group.

Research Development and Grant Writing Newsletter
This newsletter offers strategies on how to compete successfully for research funding and highlights new funding opportunities. Catch up on past issues here.

Office of Research Integrity

Planning international field work?
International research or field work that involves travel to/research in a sanctioned country and/or work with sanctioned groups or individuals requires export control review and approval. Contact the Export Control Team with questions.

New QA/QI manager position - animal research program
OVPR will be hiring its first QA/QI manager dedicated to supporting the animal research program at Brown. The individual will be working as a proactive “bridge” between stakeholders to improve the program.

Huron IRB submission system goes live this month
The Huron IRB Submission System will be live for human subjects research administration on 5/15/23. Access the system, submit research applications, upload records for active studies, and more! Visit HRPP’s Huron website for details.

Huron IRB submission system guidance
Looking for guidance to navigate through the Huron IRB Submission System? Check out our System Guidance documents covering topics like new submissions, modifications, continuing reviews, funding, PI proxies, and closures.

COI guidance for faculty/student start-ups
OVPR developed Conflict of Interest (COI) guidance for faculty and students who are thinking about starting a company based on their Brown research OR investing or becoming involved in a company owned by a Brown faculty member or student.

Meeting dates & submission deadlines

Technology Innovations

BTI welcomes Rebecca Rossi
Rebecca joins the Brown Technology Innovations (BTI) team as the new Patent and Agreement Data Coordinator.

Save the date: Innovation@Brown Showcase on 10/5/23
The Innovation@Brown Showcase will highlight start-ups in the Brown/RI technology ecosystem. The event is an opportunity for investors, academic researchers, and entrepreneurs to network and learn about groundbreaking inventions.

Have an invention? Tell BTI!
BTI has updated their invention disclosure form. When a report is received, BTI works with faculty to evaluate the novelty, patentability and commercial utility of inventions and if filed, will help to negotiate licensing deals. Learn more here.

BTI now accepting Brown Innovations Fellows for 2023
Interested in learning about patenting and technology commercialization? Apply for the Brown Innovation Fellows Program! Graduate students, postdocs, and medical students can apply to the paid internship. Applications due 5/26. Apply here.

Graduate Entrepreneur Connect networking event on 5/19/23
At the BTI-hosted Graduate Entrepreneur Connect, attendees will meet other graduate student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs, Brown Innovation Fellows, and members of BTI and the Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship. Learn more here.

El-Deiry to serve on American Cancer Society Scientific Advisory Council
Dr. Wafik El-Deiry will serve as a new member of BrightEdge’s Scientific Advisory Council. BrightEdge, the innovation arm of the ACS, specializes in investments in early-stage companies developing cutting-edge, cancer-focused technologies.

Humphrey Maris receives inaugural Career and Innovation Impact Award
Humphrey J. Maris, professor emeritus of physics and professor of physics received BTI’s Career and Innovation Impact Award on 4/24 for his groundbreaking work in ultrafast ultrasonics and semiconductor metrology and technology. Read more here.

Faculty: Are you curious about how to create a start-up?
Join us for Faculty Entrepreneur Connect, a new group for faculty inventors to meet and network with other entrepreneurially-minded faculty. Our first meeting is at the Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship, 6/2/23 at 10am. Learn more here.

Conferences & Trainings

NCURA’s 65th Annual Meeting, inclUSion! in Washington, DC August 6 - 9, 2023; Workshop days August 5, 6, & 9
Registration is open for the National Council of University Research Administrators 65th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Registration and program information.

2023 SRAI Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA October 14-18
Registration is open for the Society of Research Administrators International Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA. Registration and program information.

NIH

NIH All About Grants Podcast – Discussing Not Discussed
We are discussing “Not Discussed” in this NIH All About Grants podcast episode (Audio/Transcript). Dr. Gene Carstea, a review branch chief at the Center for Scientific Review, will share insights on the NIH peer review process

Are you wondering about Participant Support Costs and NSF REUs/ RETs?
OSP has developed a new training on Participant Support Overview and NSF REU & RET. Be sure to bookmark our Training and Outreach page for the latest offerings.

NSF

NSF 2023 Virtual Spring Grants Conference
The next NSF Grants Conference will be held virtually from 6/5 – 8, 2023. Registration opens 5/10 at 12 PM EST. For those who cannot attend the live conference, all recorded conference sessions will be available on-demand shortly after the event.

NSF's new website, previously called beta.nsf.gov, is now nsf.gov
The U.S. National Science Foundation recently rolled out significant updates to their website intended to make it easier to find the information you're interested in.

Research Communications

Follow @BrownUResearch on social media
@BrownUResearch is on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to share Brown research stories, opportunities, internships, studies, events, and more. Follow @BrownUResearch and send content and post ideas to Research Communications.