Research Notes

Brown COVID-19 Research Seed Fund Awardees

Fifteen teams of Brown faculty researchers are receiving a total of $350,000 from the University to fast track innovative research proposals that directly address the urgent needs of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read about the funded projects here.

Brown Technology Innovations

Brown Technology Innovations at BIO 2020 Conference Online
Brown Technology Innovations will showcase several life science inventions from Brown at the 2020 Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) conference. Read more and contact us to have material included.

COVID-19 Clinical Trial Industry Contract
Brown Technology Innovations executed a contract for a clinical trial by Prof Stefan Gravenstein, Director of Geriatrics & Palliative Care, to study if prophylaxis with the sponsor’s compound reduces COVID-19 among nursing home residents. Read more

New Name, New Strategy
Formerly the Office of Industry Engagement and Commercial Venturing, we have officially changed our name to Brown Technology Innovations. Our mission is to put Brown University’s technology first to drive commercial outcomes. Read more

Office of Research Development

COVID-19 External Funding Opportunities
Find external funding opportunities and RFIs to support COVID-19 research from many agencies and organizations here. Contact Kate Duggan to add a funding opportunity or with any questions. 

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 April issue and others you may have missed from prior months here.

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

Limited Submission Operations Continuing
Limited submission announcements and competitions are continuing. 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

Changeover from Coeus to InfoEd Grants Delayed Indefinitely 
Brown was scheduled to transition from Coeus to InfoEd Grants on July 1, 2020, but that has been postponed indefinitely. The retirement of Coeus system-to-system (S2S), per the Grants.gov Forms-F transition, will still occur May 25. Read more 

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

Remote Faculty Onboarding Opportunity
Through our Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement program, ORI offers remote onboarding sessions for new faculty and their staff to orient them to the HRPP’s/IRB’s website, forms, processes and policies. Contact Chris Provencal to schedule.

Fall RCR training for NSF-supported Students/Postdocs
Students and postdocs who receive NSF support for research must complete responsible conduct of research (RCR) training. Due to COVID-19, NSF-supported students and postdocs should plan to complete RCR training online via CITI.

Including COVID-19 as a Topic of Research Inquiry
Review the HRPP landing page for guidance on what to include in a submission if you intend to use surveys, interviews, measures etc. on or about the effects of COVID-19 as a research procedure. 

Technology Options for Remote Procedures in Human Subjects Research
Unsure what options are available for remote procedures? See the HRPP FAQs for the CIS and IRB recommendations based on data risk level.

Reminder: HRPP Compliance Review with Each Submission
The HRPP conducts a compliance review upon receipt of every active study submission to ensure compliance with current federal regulations and Brown policies. Click here for quick tips for a smooth submission and review.

New Research Data Management Policy
ORI is pleased to announce the availability of Brown’s first-ever Research Data and Research Materials Management, Sharing, and Retention Policy. Many thanks to all who contributed to creating this important new research resource for Brown.

Office of Sponsored Projects

NIH Foreign Component Notification
A post-doc on an active NIH grant who must return home to a foreign country and work remotely due to COVID-19 must be reported to NIH as a foreign component.  Brown PIs with NIH awards were reminded of this necessity by email. Read more

Research Personnel Effort During COVID-19 Pandemic
Through June 17, 2020, many federal agencies are allowing grant/cooperative agreement recipients to continue to charge salaries and benefits to currently active Federal awards.  Please note this flexibility is not afforded on contracts. Read more

Use of Workday PRG300 COVID-19 Program for Research Expenses
Per Workday Communications, there is a new program worktag to track expenses related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage use of the PRG300 COVID-19 for sponsored project funds as a best practice. Read more

Comprehensive COVID-19 Federal and Non-Federal Agency Guidance
Brown maintains a membership in the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR). COGR is regularly updating COVID information. Read about COGR, their FAQs, and see their list of institutional guidance.

New Associate Director, Post-Award Services Named
We are delighted to announce that Heather Dominey has accepted the position of Associate Director, Post-Award Services in OSP. She brings 16 years of Brown financial and accounting experience to the position. 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.

NSF Proposal Changes for June 1st and Beyond
NSF has made a number of improvements to the NSF-approved formats for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support sections of proposals. Use of these formats becomes mandatory on June 1, 2020.

Funding & Awards

Unlimited | Neuromorphic Computing for Accelerating Scientific Discovery
The Department of Energy is interested in proposals for basic research that significantly advances Neuromorphic Computing as a brain-inspired, energy-efficient tool for scientific discovery.

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

Scheduled in-person conferences and training for the coming months have been cancelled or postponed.

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

NSF CAREER Workshop Webinar 
Join the NSF for a CAREER program webinar today, May 13, 2020 at 2 pm. The webinar will include a briefing on the program and key solicitation requirements followed by a question and answer session. Required registration is available here.

 Brown Design Workshop Responds to COVID-19 Crisis 

In the University’s makerspace, 3D printers and other prototyping equipment have been used to make personal protective equipment and other components addressing needs of local health providers during the COVID-19 crisis. Read more