Research Notes
July 2020
This “Iris Spirals” image, using math’s Fibonacci Sequence, was part of ICERM’s Illustrating Mathematics program in 2019, involving scholars from all over the world. (Credit: Frank Farris)
ICERM Receives Record Grant
The National Science Foundation made its largest award ever to Brown: $23.7M for a five-year renewal of ICERM, which was founded as a national mathematics institute in 2010. This is its second and largest renewal grant. Read more
Resuming Research
Resuming Research guidance for Stage 2 includes updates on lab personnel density, field research, human subjects research, usage of core facilities, and working with undergraduates in labs. More detailed guidance on training of students in labs will be soon available.
New Associate VP for Research
We’re welcoming Stephanie Endy, who joined Brown July 15 as Associate Vice President for Research. Before Brown, she was Associate Vice President at Case Western Reserve University for five years and has an outstanding record as a university research leader. See the announcement from the VPR here.
Coeus Premium: Subawards Update & Special Review Help Tip
Important update and review of how to manually enter subaward budget line items post-Grants.gov Forms-F Coeus S2S retirement. Also, a help tip for populating the Special Review tab from Yes/No Questions in Coeus. 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
Stage 2 Human Subjects Research Requirements
Human subjects research activities permissible during Brown’s Stage 2 of resuming research are broader. The script for research teams has changed and required language for provision of participants' masks is added. Read more
NIMH Expectations for Collection of Common Data Elements
NIMH recently announced its expectations of Common Data Elements for mental health human subjects research it supports. This applies to all grant applications involving human research participants submitted after Oct. 1, 2020. Read more
IACUC Policy Updates
The policies on Pilot Studies, Maintenance of Blades, Food and Fluid Regulation in Rodents, Recordings of Lab Animals, and Training and Education have been updated and converted to the new University policy format. See all IACUC policies and related forms here.
Regulatory Changes Affecting Exports to China, Russia, or Venezuela
If you are shipping or hand-carrying items abroad, including technology, materials, and documents, you must ensure that you are familiar with new requirements regarding exports to China, Russia, and Venezuela. Read more
Reminder for Department of Defense (DoD) proposals
This guidance identifies required language to be included in proposal documents when Brown is submitting as a prime or subcontractor on a DoD or other military sponsored proposal. Contact Jules Blyth with any questions.
Amazon Mechanical Turk (“MTurk”) and FAQs guidance
MTurk is Amazon's virtual crowdsourcing platform and a common research recruitment tool. See HRPP’s new guidance on using MTurk for human subjects research.
Human Subjects Research Subject Pools
A Research Subject Pool is a common recruitment method in social/behavioral research studies. HRPP has new guidance on how you can use Brown's subject pools and how to minimize undue influence when offering extra/course credit.
Consent Language Guidance
Unsure how to word a section of your consent? HRPP has language for virtually every situation. This document includes language approved by the IRB for standard consent language and this document for bulleted consent language. Both documents are updated frequently.
Meeting Dates & Submission Deadlines
Office of Sponsored Projects
July Brown Bag Now Available
Thanks to all those who participated in our Brown Bag on July 9th. Click here to view a recording of the presentation and here to download a copy of the slides. Questions? Email resadmin@brown.edu.
Federal Agency COVID-19 Flexibilities Have Expired
Multiple OMB time-limited class exceptions have expired, which allowed Federal awarding agencies to grant various administrative, financial and audit requirement flexibilities to their recipients. Read more
New F&A (Indirect Cost) Rate Agreement Published
There is an important update on Brown’s negotiated F&A rate for sponsored projects. Read more
White Paper Submission Reminder
Please plan ahead and review submission steps closely for White Papers. OSP approval may not be required, but some submission portals require PI accounts and institutional affiliation, which can cause complications on deadline day.
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.
Leaders in Regenerative Medicine: Kareen Coulombe and Diane Hoffman-Kim
Brown researchers Kareen Coulombe and Diane Hoffman-Kim, were selected to be the focus point of remaining funds from a five year grant on regenerative medicine research. They have received attention from biopharma companies. Read more
New Month, New Patents
Keeping our average of 2 patents per month, Brown was awarded patents for discoveries by Derek Stein (Physics) for smart materials in construction, and Nitin Padture and Yuanyuan Zhou (SoE) for use of perovskite in solar panels. Read more
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.
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 July issue, and others you may have missed from prior months here.
Limited Submission Operations Continuing
Limited submission announcements and competitions are continuing as normal. See featured funding database of searchable limited submission opportunities here. Any questions, please email research_opps@brown.edu.
Federal & Agency Updates
NIH - Applicant Guidance for Fall 2020 Due Dates During COVID-19 Pandemic
NIH grant applications should not include contingency plans that would outline steps needed to recover from temporary, emergency situations, or institutional return-to-the-workplace plans resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
NSF CAREER Deadline Change
In consideration of the challenges facing many in our country, NSF is extending the upcoming proposal deadline for the Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11. Read more
Department of Defense (DoD) - DARPA Discover DSO
DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office has published a newsletter highlighting new programs and current research interests. Read more
Unlimited | Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship
The Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship Program (VBFF) provides extensive, long-term financial support to distinguished university faculty to conduct ambitious basic research. Click here for a list of FY21 topics.
NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) Initiative
NIH’s RADx initiative has received $1.46 billion to fund projects that will speed innovation in the development, commercialization, and implementation of technologies for COVID-19 testing.
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.
A discovery by researchers at Brown’s Center for Translational Neuroscience could pave the way for future studies aimed at developing solutions to ALS and other vexing neuromuscular diseases. Read more
Impact: Research at Brown
Impact is Brown’s first magazine devoted to the University’s research. Read the magazine for stories of groundbreaking discovery and scholarship, and of our commitment to making a difference in the world.
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