Research Notes

Brown COVID-19 Research Seed Fund

The Brown COVID-19 Research Seed Fund is a new one-time funding mechanism intended to fast track innovative research proposals that directly address the urgent needs of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be accepted beginning immediately. Applications will be reviewed starting on Tuesday, April 7 on a continual basis until funds are expended. Read more

COVID-19 HPC Resources and Datasets

The Center for Computation and Visualization will be making limited HPC resources available at no cost for COVID-19 approved research. Details for requesting this can be found at ccv.brown.edu under COVID-19 Updates.

Office of Sponsored Projects

Federal Agencies Provide New Flexibility for Proposals and Awards
OSP is posting many updates from Brown’s sponsoring federal agencies here.  Most agencies are providing additional flexibilities; please review our agency updates page and if you have any questions, contact your OSP Representative.

Cost Allowability Rules
Even with new flexibilities, criteria for charging expenses to sponsored projects remain in place. Direct costs items should be essential for project success and directly allocable to the project.  Please review the Direct Charging Policy. 

Personnel Charges During University Closure
Most federal agencies allow charging of salaries/stipends if research is curtailed.  Documentation should be maintained by PI and department.  You may cite dates given on Brown's COVID-19 page, as to when the research ramp down occurred.

Requirements for Record-Keeping are Not Flexible or Relaxed
During COVID-19, documentation takes on even more importance for our stewarding of federal and non-federal sponsored funds.  Continue to follow the University’s Record Retention Schedule (see pg. 13). 

Office of Industry Engagement
& Commercial Venturing 

Still Open For Inventors and Entrepreneurs
We continue to move processes along regarding patents, intellectual property protections and other commercial venturing pathways. You can contact any of us through here.

Creating Quantum Safe Signatures
Professors Jeffrey Hoffstein and Joseph Silverman in Brown’s Mathematics Department are working on a way to provide effective blockchain security solutions, and their efforts are attracting venture capital interest. Read more

Office of Research Development

ORD Operations Continuing
While Brown buildings are closed, we are still working remotely. We are providing proposal development assistance via email, phone, or Zoom, and we will announce 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

RAIS Support During Brown Remote Working for COVID-19
During this time of working remotely during COVID-19 concerns, RAIS is committed to continuing daily research administration systems support and fulfill sponsored projects reporting needs. 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

COVID-19 & Human Subjects Research Activities
The HRPP’s landing page serves as your most up-to-date information on how COVID-19 may impact human subjects research operations and processes. Please visit this page as your resource for timely information.

Update on HRPP Review Priorities
HRPP is currently prioritizing review of Reportable Events and Amendments related to COVID-19, but will soon return to its regular review queue. See the HRPP landing page for an update on how we will prioritize non-COVID-19 related reviews.

Data Use Agreements (DUAs) and Remote Data Access
Given the increase in telework during the COVID-19 pandemic, we ask researchers to review their DUAs for terms related to remote data access. If researchers need their DUAs amended to allow for remote access, please contact dua@brown.edu.

Brown Digital Repository (BDR) Data Sharing Resources
Research Data Team has created two BDR Data Sharing Resources. Certification of De-Identification confirms data deposited in the BDR are de-identified, while BDR Data Sharing Statement Resource provides step-by-step guide to sharing data.

NIH Federal Updates

Flexibilities and a Caution for Continuous Submission Eligible Applications
NOT-OD-20-091 indicates that NIH cannot guarantee that applications will be reviewed for Cycle I funding. Read the full notice here. 

Applicant/Recipient COVID-19 Update History
Grants administration guidance to the community regarding COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. Use this high-level summary of NIH updates to identify what's new.

NSF Federal Updates

Revision NSF Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-17 (items #8, 10, 12)
Updated guidance to implement flexibilities authorized by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-20-17 from specific administrative, financial management, and audit requirements. Read the full guidance here. 

NSF-Approved Formats for the Biographical Sketch
NSF requires a biosketch (2 pg. limit) for each individual identified as senior personnel. Use of an NSF-approved format for each biosketch will be required for all proposals submitted or due on or after June 1, 2020. Read the full notice here.

Funding & Awards

COVID-19 External Funding Opportunities
Find funding external opportunities and RFIs to support research relating to COVID-19 from various agencies/organizations here.  Contact Kate_Duggan@brown.edu to add a funding opportunity or any questions. 

Request for Information on Future Topics for the NSF Convergence Accelerator 
The purpose of this RFI and call for future topics conference proposals is to seek input on potential NSF Convergence Accelerator tracks for FY 2021.

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.

OVPR Staffing Updates

OVPR: Matthew Roth is our new Project Coordinator. 

ORI: Alana Chetlen is our new IRB Specialist II, part of the HRPP Team. Torrey Truszkowski is new Research Compliance Manager, providing management, analysis, and education in support of a broad portfolio of research compliance.

OSP: Kim Cavanaugh is our new Grants/Contracts Accountant, part of the Post Award team.

All OVPR staff contact information can be found here. 

Conferences & Training

All scheduled in-person conferences and trainings for the coming months have been cancelled or postponed.

March OSP Brown Bag Available Virtually 
A virtual Brown Bag link was sent via email on March 26th and appears here. As you watch the video, please make a note of any questions and send them to resadmin@brown.edu. 

NCURA Region I Meeting - Postponed
Regional Meeting has been moved from May 3-6th to December 6-10th. More info can be found here. 

HRPP Learning Library
Visit the HRPP Learning Library for overviews and downloadable resources from past workshops. 

Brown researchers donate supplies in COVID fight

Many Brown research laboratories, and Brown's Environmental Health & Safety office and University Library, collected and donated thousands of masks, gloves, gowns and other needed items to local hospitals and health organizations. Read more