Research Notes

Resuming Research

Since earlier this month, more than 220 PIs have had plans to resume research approved by the university in over 24 buildings, with safety plans laid out in the Resuming Research Guidance and COVID-19 Workplace Safety Policy. 

Field Research Guidelines

The university has issued guidelines for the resumption of field research under the current Stage 1 of Resuming Research.

Flexibility in New Data Storage Model

In order to provide flexibility as researchers transition to the new data storage payment model, CCV is happy to accommodate a group allocation/billing plan. Please read more about it here. 

Office of Research Development

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

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 May and June issues, and others you may have missed from prior months here.

ORD Operations Continuing
We are working remotely, announcing funding opportunities, and providing proposal development assistance via email, phone, or Zoom. Our contact information can be found here.

Limited Submission Operations Continuing
Limited submission announcements and competitions are continuing as normal. See the featured funding database of searchable limited submission opportunities here. Any questions or concerns please email research_opps@brown.edu.

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.

Office of Research Integrity

HRPP PI Eligibility Policy & Guidance
HRPP has a new Human Subjects Research PI Eligibility Policy and a guidance document describing who is eligible to serve as a PI and a research advisor on a human subjects research study. 

HRPP Request to Serve as PI Form
HRPP has a new Request to Serve as a PI Form to be used to request a policy exception when an individual is not automatically eligible to serve as a PI in accordance with the Human Subjects Research PI Eligibility Policy.

New Human Subjects Advisor Appendix
The Appendix I: Advisor Appendix must be included in an IRB Application when a graduate or medical student is the PI on a human subjects research study. This Appendix is specific to the advisor's education, COI, and responsibilities.

Human Subjects Request to Close Form
Investigators should use the Request to Close Form to request the closure of any human subjects research study outside of the Continuing Review process. PIs are reminded that it is their responsibility to close-out protocols with the HRPP.

Human Subjects Consent Addendum Template
The Consent Addendum Template should be used when adding new activities requiring additional consent for enrolled participants, or for completed participants who gave permission to be re-contacted for future procedures in the same study. 

Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee Policy and SOP
ORI is pleased to announce our new ESCRO Committee Policy and SOP. Anyone proposing to conduct research at Brown involving human embryonic stem cells should read this policy and submit an application to ESCRO@Brown.edu. 

IACUC Policy Updates
The Rodent Identification Policy and the Physical Restraint of Laboratory Animals Policy have been updated and converted to the new University policy format. See all policies and related forms here.

Welcome New HRPP Staff
Grace Ayers is the HRPP team's new IRB Manager. She joined ORI from Harvard's School of Public Health as IRB Specialist and IRB member. We are thrilled to have her join the team.

Office of Sponsored Projects

Effort Reporting Policy Addendum – Emergency/Remote Work Orders
New administrative flexibilities apply under the University's Effort Certification Policy during the Provost's Remote Work order. This decrease in frequency of certifications is designed to reduce burden and increase compliance. Read more

NASA Harassment Regulations Final Rule
NASA has implemented new terms and conditions for reporting requirements regarding sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault. This term now appears in NASA new awards and modifications. Read more

Reminder on Reporting Impacts of COVID-19 to Sponsoring Agencies
PIs must report on any effects of COVID-19 on NIH funded research in their next RPPR submission. OSP recommends documenting the programmatic and financial impacts of COVID to other federal and non-federal agencies as well. Read more

Proposal Submission and Post-Award Timing
We thank you for your cooperation as we all work remotely. Like you, we in OSP are navigating in difficult, uncertain times.  For best outcomes, continued adherence to the 5-day proposal submission rule and post-award timelines is essential.

Brown Technology Innovations

Virtual Open House
At our first virtual open house June 17, faculty met  Executive Director Neil Veloso, heard success stories about Brown startups from Derek Stein and Jake Kurtis, and gained insights on commercialization from alum Kris Brown ‘89 P ‘22. See it here.

Brown at BIO 2020
At June's BIO 2020 biomedical and technology convention, Dave Potter spoke to over 50 biotechnology companies about over 30 Brown researchers, including in neurology, oncology, digital health, the biology of aging, and vaccines. Contact him.

Energy Storage: New Patent Issued for Research by Palmore
Brown was issued a US patent for research done by Tayhas Palmore (Engineering) and PhD alumnus Dan Liu. It relates to energy storage compositions as well as methods of making energy storage compositions using hydrothermal processes.

NIH Federal Updates

Guidance on Change in Status, Including Absence of PD/PI and Key Personnel
NIH has clarified expectations regarding change in status, including absence of Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) and other Key Personnel named in the Notice of Award (NoA), as well as change in recipient institution. 

Special Exception to NIH/AHRQ/NIOSH Post-Submission Material Policy  
During the pandemic, this Notice provides an exception to the NIH/AHRQ/NIOSH policy for post-submission materials (NOT-OD-19-083). 

Clarifying Late Application Receipt Dates of NHGRI-Specific FOAs
This notice rescinds NOT-HG-20-041 and clarifies the end of the late application window for NHGRI specific RFAs and PARs due in May-July 2020. Late applications will be accepted by up to two weeks after the application due date.

Applicant/Recipient COVID-19 NIH Update
Use this high-level summary of updates to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information for NIH Applicants and Recipients of NIH Funding webpage to identify what's new.

NSF Federal Updates

Proposal and Award Policies and Procedure Guide Effective June 1, 2020 
NSF has implemented the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1) for proposals submitted or due on or after June 1st.  The revised PAPPG implements a variety of changes and clarifications detailed here.

Biosketch and Current/Pending Formats Postponed
NSF has delayed  the requirement to use NSF-approved formats for the biographical sketch and current and pending support sections of NSF taking effect for new proposals submitted or due on or after October 5, 2020.

NSF June 16 Statement on Proposal Deadlines
The National Science Foundation is mindful of the challenges many in our country face today. With this in mind, NSF has decided to extend some of their upcoming proposal deadlines where possible. Read the full statement here. 

Funding & Awards

Unlimited | NEH/AHRC New Directions for Digital Scholarship
This program will fund teams of researchers and cultural institution professionals in the U.S. and U.K. working collaboratively to deliver transformational impact on digital methods and digital research in cultural institutions.

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

Webinar Recording: Grantseeking for the Humanities
In case you missed the live event, click here for a one hour virtual overview of how to plan for, find, and apply for grants at Brown University, tailored for the Humanities and presented by representatives from OVPR and the Office of Foundation Relations.

OSP Trainings are Going Virtual 
OSP has transitioned many existing 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 available trainings and look for new ones here.

Brown researchers develop real-time economic tracker

Brown economics professor John Friedman is one of the principals of Opportunity Insights, which has developed an economic tracker based on anonymized data from leading private companies to provide a real-time picture of key economic indicators. Read more