Research Notes

Research information from the Office of the Vice President for Research
for Brown faculty, grant-related staff, and students

Through a process called in vitro gametogenesis (IVG), eggs and sperm can be made in a lab from any cell in a person's body. Dr. Eli Adashi, Brown professor of medical science, says those eggs and sperm can then be fertilized to create an embryo—all in a lab. Read the recent news story.

Nominations open for
Brown Research Achievement Awards

Each year, the Research Achievement Awards recognize outstanding faculty research in the categories of humanities and social sciences, physical sciences, life sciences and public health, and hospital-based research faculty. In 2024, Mid-Career Awards and Early Career Awards will be offered in these four categories for a total of eight awards. Nominations are open via UFunds through 1/16/24.

Research Integrity

IACUC approved policies, directives, SOPs, and forms
Did you know the IACUC’s approved documents are published on the IACUC website? Visit the IACUC website to see the most up-to-date versions.

Research engagement visits
ORI now has a new resource for PIs working with animals. Rebecca Poncin, the Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement (QA/QI) Animal Program manager, is now conducting research engagement visits. Book now!

Remote work with scholars in embargoed countries
If hosting a visiting scholar from an embargoed country, do not engage the scholar in research or other work while they are awaiting their visa outside the US, unless you have cleared it in advance with Brown's Export Control team. 

NEW research security webpage
Federal regulations require academic institutions to create research security programs. A Brown committee is working on this project. Check out the new research security website and email ori-admin@brown.edu with questions or to get involved.

Meeting dates & submission deadlines

Research Strategy and Development

Applications open for Salomon Research Awards through 11/14
Richard B. Salomon Faculty Research Awards provide funding for faculty research projects deemed to be of exceptional merit. Preference will be given to junior faculty building their research portfolio. Proposals (via UFunds) due by 5pm 11/14/23.

New opportunities announced at ARPA-H
ARPA-H Proposer’s Days for the REACT (Resilient Extended Automatic Cell Therapies) and APECx (Antigens Predicted for Broad Viral Efficacy through Computational Experimentation) programs are this month. See ORSD's “What’s New With ARPA-H.”

November is nominations month
Nominations for honorifics increase national and international visibility for the nominee, their department, and Brown. Learn about nominations management at Brown.

Resource: Engaged Scholarship and Broader Impact
Are you developing a proposal that requires a broader impact component, or looking to incorporate outreach and engaged scholarship activities into your research? The Engaged Scholarship and Broader Impacts Working Group has resources for you.

Research Development and Grant Writing Newsletter
This newsletter offers strategies on how to compete successfully for research funding and highlights new funding opportunities. Catch up on past issues.

Sponsored Projects

Award Lifecycle Status changes
COEUS will only indicate Active, Pending Advance, and Closed statuses going forward. Refer to Workday for all Award Lifecycle Statuses, such as Modification Pending, Closeout in Progress, In Variance, Final Payment Pending, and Final Reports Pending.

*New Sponsored Travel FAQ*
Question: The conference I attended included some meals in the registration fee. Can I still claim full per diem each day on my expense report? Visit the Sponsored Travel Policy FAQs for the answer.

US Department of Education transitions to new web platform “G6”
The US Department of Education has implemented the first system upgrades for G6. A new URL for the website, a new home page, and a new option to log in to the website are now live.

NIH foreign subrecipient updated policy guidance—effective Jan. 1, 2024
OSP Research Subcontracting has developed a new subawards to foreign collaborators website resource for PIs and departmental administrators. Please contact OSP Research Subcontracting with any questions.

OSP Quarterly Brown Bag Year End Wrap Up—Thurs., Dec. 7 | 2 - 4 pm
Join us on Zoom for the final Brown Bag session of 2023. We’ll review the current state of research administration and look forward to new opportunities in the year ahead. To be added to the Brown Bag list, email resadmin@brown.edu.

2023-2024 Winter Break proposal deadlines
OSP and BMRA proposal review and submission timelines related to Winter Break can be found on OSP’s Announcement Page.

Technology Innovations

Innovation@Brown Showcase event highlights
BTI held its inaugural event in October during Rhode Island Startup Week. Watch a video of highlights from the event and interviews sharing the exciting innovation happening in and around Brown.

Brown joins ARPA-H Inventor Catalyst Hub
Brown joined the ARPA-H Investor Catalyst Hub consortium of universities, companies, investors, foundations and agencies that will collaborate with ARPA-H to catalyze breakthroughs in science and medicine. Contact Neil Veloso for information.

Calling all faculty, postdocs, and grad students in STEM!
Equalize takes national action around the disparity of women academic inventors forming university startups. Participants receive education, a field-specific mentor, and access to networks that drive new entrepreneurial connections. Apply for 2024.

Faculty, are you curious to learn about start-ups? Join us at the Nelson Center
Mark your calendar for two upcoming Faculty Entrepreneur Connect Program sessions: Matt Lukens will speak about Customer Discovery on Nov. 17 10-11am, and Eva Garland Consulting will discuss SBIRs/STTRs on Dec. 15. Register online.

Now accepting applications: Brown Biomedical Innovations to Impact (BBII)
BBII is an accelerator fund supporting biomedical technologies with high impact potential to become attractive to industry partners and investors. Pre-proposals accepted now through Dec. 15. Learn about BBII or contact Karen Bulock for details.

Vikas Srivastava and team develop new drug delivery system
A team of Brown biomedical engineers led by Vikas Srivastava developed a hydrogel-based delivery system that balances pH levels in the tumor environment while greatly enhancing the cancer-fighting activity of the encapsulated chemotherapy drug.

Conferences & Trainings

National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) upcoming events:

➡️ Traveling Workshops—Austin, TX | Dec. 4-6, 2023
Level I: Fundamentals of Sponsored Project Administration Workshop Register for Level I
Level II: Sponsored Projects Administration Workshop Register for Level II
Departmental Research Administration Workshop Register for Departmental

➡️ Region I 2024  Spring Meeting—Portland, ME | May 6-8, 2024
Submit proposals.

➡️ Volunteer opportunities—Region I wants you!
The region is seeking volunteers for the 2024 committees. View committee descriptions. Please reach out to Nick Fisher, the 2024 Chair, with any questions.

NIH

Simplified Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant Applications
This NIH notice announces a new framework for the peer review of most research project grant (RPG) applications beginning with submissions for due dates on or after Jan. 25, 2025.

Research Communications

Highlight your research achievements on @BrownUResearch social media
Promote your research or award and share your accomplishments with a broader audience. Fill out the Brown Research/Award Submission form and we'll follow up with social media posts on Twitter/X, threads, Instagram and Facebook.

Request photo/video coverage
To request research-related photo or video coverage (faculty or student researchers, events, field or lab work, classroom activities, presentations, etc.) please fill out the Research Related Photo/Video Coverage Request form.