Research Notes
May 2025
Information from the Division of Research
for Brown faculty, grant-related staff, and students
Ninth annual Celebration of Research highlights outstanding achievements
Researchers at Brown University are making a significant impact globally by advancing knowledge through their contributions, achievements, and discoveries. On April 29, 2025, the Division of Research honored 33 Seed Award, Salomon Award, and Research Achievement Award recipients. View the event program and photo gallery.
RESEARCH STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT
Federal funding landscape: New tools and support for research funding
RSD, CFR, and BTI are expanding support for research funding through tools, workshops, and strategic consultations. Explore the new funding database, Pivot-RP, and stay tuned for a federal landscape webinar with McAllister & Quinn. Check back here.
Associate Director Betsy Loucks selected for professional association leadership
Associate Director Betsy Loucks was selected as Chair-Elect for NORDP Northeast, the largest regional chapter of the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP).
NSF CAREER Program Informational Webinar
U.S. National Science Foundation program directors will provide information on the NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program from 2-3:30pm on both Wednesday, 5/14 and Monday, 5/19. Learn more and register.
RESEARCH INTEGRITY
Deadlines for ClinicalTrials.gov registration, updates and results
Initial registration: No later than 21 days after enrollment of the first participant. Results: Within 12 months of the primary completion date. Updates: Within 30 days of changes. Visit the ClinicalTrials.gov website.
Undergraduate research projects
Students can fill out the survey on the Regulatory Advisory webpage to determine if a UG project needs IRB approval or can obtain clearance from Regulatory Advisory.
Planning international fieldwork this summer?
Work with the Export Control Team in advance if you plan to travel with or send research equipment, samples or other materials to international destinations. Government licenses may be required.
Comprehensively embargoed countries reminder
Activities with or in comprehensively embargoed countries (currently Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk Regions of Ukraine) require export control review in advance. Contact exportcontrol@brown.edu to get started.
Research Security is a collaboration planning resource
The Research Security team is available to talk through international collaborations and visiting researchers in the planning stages. Email researchsecurity@brown.edu to get started.
Meeting dates & submission deadlines
TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS
The "Demystifying Industry Partnerships in Research" panel was a success
Our panel, "Demystifying Industry Partnerships in Research," held on 4/21/25, attracted over 100 attendees. If you missed it and want to view a recording, please get in touch with tech-innovations@brown.edu.
Brown startup Adept Materials to launch Lilypad paint
Startup Adept Materials (Derek Stein, Physics) is launching a moisture control paint that regulates humidity for durability and comfort. Lilypad will be on the market soon. Stay tuned for updates!
Chevron Studio visits Brown University
Victoria Campbell and Brian Demers invited faculty from the School of Engineering and the Department of Chemistry to meet with Chevron Studio to discuss the studio's strategy and support for commercializing early-stage university research in lower-carbon technologies.
RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Huron Funding Proposal: Filtering data
Did you know that Huron allows users to filter Funding Proposal (FP) data to narrow down specific FP records/information? Learn how.
SPONSORED PROJECTS
Save the date: OSP Open Hours
Our next OSP Open Hours will be held May 14 @ 2pm. Sign-up here.
*Updated* Summer Salary Costing Allocation Worksheet
Faculty Summer Salary is defined as the period outside of the academic year. When processing a costing allocation in Workday, please complete and attach the Summer Salary Costing Allocation Template.
Huron Grants Resources Job Aids
Reminder that Job Aids for Huron are available at the Division of Research website. Please continue to reference the Job Aids when submitting requests for Outgoing Subaward Agreements.
Activity Code - ACT24
Please be aware that ACT24 should not be used with a grant and FD500. This activity code should be used with FD100 only.
New UPAS and PI/Department Change Form
The University Prior Approval System and PI/Department Change Forms have been updated and can be located on the DoR Forms and Policies Page
NIH
*Updated* NIH Salary Cap Worksheet
The salary limitation for NIH awards has increased to $225,700. This updated NIH Salary Cap Worksheet can be found in Forms & Policies under General Grants & Contracts, or within the NIH Salary Cap Policy.
University Certifications & Assurances required by federal sponsors
The NIH Guide Notice, Notice of Civil Rights Term and Condition of Award (4/21/25), is one of the certifications University Signing Officials complete during the award lifecycle. Brown complies with the requirements in this new Notice, so PIs need not take action, and no award disruptions will occur.
*NEW* NIH Policy on Foreign Subawards—important Guide Notice
The NIH Guide Notice, Updated NIH Policy on Foreign Subawards (5/1/25), states that NIH “will not issue awards to domestic or foreign entities (new, renewal or non-competing continuation) that include a subaward to a foreign entity. Additionally, NIH will no longer accept prior approval requests to add a new foreign component or subaward to an ongoing project.”
More on NIH Policy on Foreign Subawards—who is responsible for FFATA reporting?
The NIH Guide Notice, Updated NIH Policy on Foreign Subawards (5/1/25), states that some recipients “do not accurately report on subawards consistent with Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) subaward reporting requirements (NIH GPS 8.4.1.5.5).” OSP’s Research Subcontracting Team has consistently submitted these reports since October 2010. The process is reviewed as part of Brown’s annual audit, and we are fully compliant.
NIH No Cost Extensions require Prior Approval
Under a new NIH Guide Notice, Updated NIH Processes for No-Cost Extensions (5/7/25), all NCEs, including first-time extensions, must receive agency Prior Approval. Instructions, including a list of required items, can be found here.
NIH Public Access Policy changes, effective 7/1/25
NIH has expedited the implementation of its updated Public Access Policy, originally slated to go into effect in December. The new implementation date will be July 1, 2025. Read more.
NSF
NSF Policy Notice: Implementation of Standard 15% Indirect Cost Rate
Effective 5/5/25, NSF will apply a standard indirect cost rate not to exceed 15% to all grants and cooperative agreements awarded to IHEs for which indirect costs are allowable. Proposal budgets should continue to use the University’s negotiated federal indirect cost rate until further guidance is provided.
Sharing stories of research and discovery at Brown University.
