Research Notes

Sociology Professor Rachel Wetts found in new research that  when organizations take a stand against actions to combat climate change, they get more news coverage than those supporting climate action. Read More [Photo: Patrick Hendry, Unsplash]

New Foreign Influence in Research Website

OVPR's new Foreign Influence in Research website is a comprehensive resource for the Brown community regarding policies, processes and guidance related to foreign engagements and international collaborations.

Office of Research Integrity

AVMA Guidelines Updated
The new edition of AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals was released and includes important updates impacting the use of rodents, avian species and fish.

Grant and Contract Requirements Regarding Updated AVMA Guidelines
In accordance with NOT-OD-20-143, after October 1, grant applications and contract proposals must be consistent with the 2020 AVMA Guidelines. Grant applicants must follow instructions in the How to Apply – Application Guide.

Updated Guidelines for Reporting Animal Research
Revised ARRIVE guidelines 2.0 (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) were recently published in PLOS Biology and are an important resource for researchers seeking to improve rigor, transparency, and reproducibility.

Responding to Sponsor Requests for Citizenship Information
Brown does not share citizenship information with sponsors unless it is a condition of eligibility to apply for funding. If you receive a request from your program officer to share citizenship information, contact OSP for assistance.

New NIH Data Repository Consent Addendum Template
Does your federal grant have a human subject data sharing requirement? HRPP has a new NIH Data Repository Consent Addendum Template to supplement your informed consent process and explain the requirements to your participants.

Office of Sponsored Projects

Management of Fixed Price Agreement Residual Funds
OSP is adopting a new procedure to manage the audit risk of residual funds remaining on sponsored project awards that are issued to Brown as fixed-price agreements and to streamline the closeout process. Read more

News from the Cost Allocation Services Division of U.S. HHS
A new HHS Representative has been named on Brown's Cognizant Federal Agency Contact. Ryan McCarthy has replaced Michael Stanco. This information is required for Research & Related Budget forms, details here.

Guidance on Electronic Signatures for Proposal and Award Documents
OSP is paper-free. As a reminder, electronic signatures were formally adopted by OSP in 2019 and OSP uses "e-signing" on outgoing subaward agreements and amendments in addition to standard grants & contract documents. Read more

Significant Change to NSF Grant General Conditions Effective October 5, 2020
If  a PI or co-PI on an active NSF award failed to disclose support or in-kind contribution information, the AOR must submit the information within 30 calendar days. Read more

NSF Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions
Cooperative Agreement Conditions has been updated to clarify that awardees shall provide written notification to NSF prior to entering into formal arrangements with foreign collaborators, to ensure NSF has advanced knowledge. Read more

New Biosketch Format  - Don’t Wait Until October
Use of an NSF-approved format for preparation of the biographical sketch will go into effect for new proposals submitted or due on or after October 5, 2020.  If you’ve not updated to the new format, do so now. Read more

Brown Technology Innovations

BBII 2020 Awards Announced
Brown Biomedical Innovations to Impact made its second round of awards. Five projects led by Brown researchers have each been awarded $100,000 to translate scientific discoveries into commercial products benefiting patients. Read more

Patents in July: Novel Materials and Methods for Drug Delivery
Last month, Brown received a US Patent (#10,722,468) for drug delivery research led by Edith Mathiowitz to describe new compositions of matter that enable new drug delivery solutions. Read more

Exclusive License Option to Bolden for Research in Justin Fallon’s Lab
Neuroscience professor Justin Fallon has optioned intellectual property to Bolden, his newest startup. Read more

Q4 Report: Putting Brown Technology First
We put Brown's Technology First to drive commercial outcomes that benefit the University and society. This newsletter highlights our initiatives, results and lessons learned for 4Q20. A short video of Neil Veloso explains our new strategy.

Office of Research Development

Grantsmanship on the Go
ORD has created a list of activities that take an hour or less and will better position you for pursuing grants. Try one out today, and bookmark Grantsmanship on the Go.

Coming Soon: Seed and Salomon Award Details
Watch for an upcoming announcement with details on OVPR’s 2020-2021 Seed and Salomon award programs. In the meantime, check out last year’s Seed and Salomon awardees.  

Research Development and Grant Writing Newsletter
This newsletter offers strategies on how to compete successfully for research funding and highlights new funding opportunities. Check out the August issue, and others you may have missed from prior months here.

Research Administration Information Systems

Subscribe to the RAIS Newsletter (eRAF)
This newsletter offers the opportunity to receive updates focusing on electronic research administration systems, updates from external agencies on research administration, Workday Grants & Effort,, and sponsored reporting. Subscribe here.

NIH Federal Updates

Upcoming Changes to the Format of the NIH's Notice of Award (NoA)
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has developed a standardized Page One of the NoA. Effective October 1, 2020, this will serve as the first page of every HHS NoA for all discretionary awards.

NIH Implementation of OMB Memorandum Regarding Flexibilities
Guidance to implement updated guidance authorized by OMB Memorandum M-20-26 for recipients affected by COVID-19.  It extends two of the short-term administrative relief from specific requirements contained in 2 CFR Part 200. 

ASSIST Streamlined for Initiation and Submission of Supplements
When an administrative supplement Funding Opportunity Announcement number is put on an ASSIST Initiate Application screen, ASSIST will see it as a supplement, and present a new “Initiate Administrative Supplement Application” screen.

NSF Federal Updates

FAQs on Current & Pending Support
NSF uses the information submitted in the current and pending support section to assess the capacity of the individual to carry out research as proposed, as well as to help assess any potential overlap/duplication with the project being proposed. 

NSF Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-26
These extensions, which go beyond what OMB previously outlined in Memorandum M-20-17, specifically pertain to the allowability of salaries and other project activities and single audit submission. 

Statement on NSF Proposal Deadlines
NSF has decided to extend some upcoming proposal deadlines where possible and aims to provide maximum flexibility, asking that any PI urgently in need of an extension please contact their program manager as soon as possible.

FAQs on Upcoming Change to 'No Deadlines' for CISE
Beginning October 1, 2020, proposals submitted to the Core Research Programs in the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering will accept Small proposals (up to $500,000 and three years) at any time throughout the year. 

Funding & Awards

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Funding Opportunities
ORD and the Office of Corporate & Foundation Relations have assembled funding opportunities related to diversity, equity and inclusion to aid Brown researchers in finding private and federal funding for research on these topics.

Limited Submission Funding Opportunities
Limited Submissions require institutional nomination or endorsement from Brown. Interested? See the featured funding database of searchable limited submission opportunities here.

Conferences & Training

Fall NIH Virtual Seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration
If you’re new to working with the NIH grants process as an investigator or administrator, mark your calendar for 10/27 - 10/30 for a unique opportunity to learn, share and meet with NIH and HHS experts at this virtual seminar. Read more

OSP Trainings are Going Virtual 
OSP has transitioned many of our training sessions to virtual training videos. These can be a great resource if you’ve just added new staff or need a refresher on any of our standard topics. Watch the available trainings and look for new ones here.

 $6.2M grant renews Alcohol Research Center on HIV 

To reduce the impact of alcohol misuse on the HIV epidemic, the Alcohol Research Center on HIV, a program in the School of Public Health's Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, was awarded $6.2 million in renewed funding by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.  Read more  [Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel]