Updates, resources, and opportunities supporting research at Brown.
No images? Click here
RESEARCH NOTES
Essential updates and opportunities for the Brown research community
JULY 2026
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Telescope makers at Brown revel in centuries-old craft
Working for months with staff members in the Department of Physics, a group of students and faculty from Brown and RISD learned the art and science of high-precision optics to make their own powerful telescopes by hand.
Read the story.
MESSAGE FROM THE VPR
Greetings,
As we mark the start of a new fiscal year, I want to acknowledge that while the national research funding landscape presents its share of complexities, I am confident that the dedication and ingenuity of our extraordinary faculty and researchers will continue to lead to groundbreaking discovery.
The public comment period for the proposed OMB Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance officially closed July 13. The national engagement surrounding this topic was incredibly strong, with the portal recording nearly 500,000 comments before the window closed. This number underscores the critical impact these proposed changes would have on the broader research enterprise. Brown was deeply engaged in this effort, and you can view our official comment that was submitted on Friday, July 10.
Here at Brown, I am thrilled to share that the winners of this year’s Research Achievement Awards (RAAs) have officially been announced! I encourage you to visit our Division of Research website to read about the brilliant, innovative work being recognized across our campus. Keep an eye out for the announcement on the recipients of our internal Seed and Salomon funding competitions in the coming weeks. As a reminder, we have shifted our annual Celebration of Research to the fall semester to better align the event with the launch of new internal funding opportunities. More details will follow over the summer, and I look forward to celebrating all our remarkable awardees together when we return.
Cheers,
Greg Hirth
Vice President for Research
DIVISION OF RESEARCH TEAMS
SPONSORED PROJECTS
Federal Funding Disclosure Reminder: The Stevens Amendment
For DHHS, Labor and Education grants, PIs must include the dollar amount and percentage of the total costs financed by federal and non-federal funds in publications and public facing documents.
The Division of Research as provided details on how to construct the acknowledgement.
RESEARCH INTEGRITY
Grant proposals involving live vertebrate animals
Due to a recent surge in JIT IACUC approval requests with short turnarounds, we need help to prevent funding delays. Please remind PIs with pending animal research grants to submit amendments ASAP. This will provide time for approval before we verify congruence between the grant and the protocol.
BROWN TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS
Registration open for NEMIC's 2026-27 Health Innovator Pathways Program (HIPP)!
Designed for innovators, entrepreneurs, clinicians, researchers, students, and industry professionals, HIPP provides participants with the knowledge, tools, and network needed to successfully navigate the path from idea to commercialization. Space is limited. Applicants are encouraged to register early.
Applications open for the Fall 2026 cohort of Blueprint by The Engine™
Applications are open for graduate students, postdocs, and research scientists. Participants get mentorship, expert-led sessions, and a community built to help take research from lab to market. Applications close Aug. 16. Learn more and apply.
Srinath Sridhar Lab Advances Streamable 3D Volumetric Video
Led by Srinath Sridhar (Computer Science), Brown researchers developed PackUV, a technique that makes immersive 3D volumetric video easier to stream, store, and view on everyday devices. A patent application has been filed, supporting future applications in virtual reality, entertainment, sports, and digital twins. Read the story.
RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
Connect with Brown Research on LinkedIn
Want the latest breakthroughs and funding updates delivered to your professional feed? Engage with our research community, discover collaboration and funding opportunities, and celebrate the achievements of Brown researchers.
NSF
Planned Prohibition on Collaborations with Restricted Entities
Effective Oct. 1, 2026, a new NSF policy is planned to prohibit senior/key personnel from collaborating with US restricted parties on NSF-funded projects. Throughout the award, grantees would also be barred from holding positions with or receiving research support from these restricted entities. See details in the Dear Colleague letter dated July 8, 2026. Please contact the Research Security Team at ResearchSecurity@Brown.edu if you would like to discuss any specific collaboration or activity.
NIH
Request for Information on Measuring and Rewarding Scientific Impact
NIH wants to hear your perspectives on how scientific impact and rigorous research should be measured and rewarded (NOT-OD-26-087). Comments will be accepted through the Request for Information (RFI) portal through Aug. 19, 2026.
NASA
NASA to Require Research Security Training Aug. 5
Research Security Training is required for Senior/Key Persons on all NASA Proposals submitted on or after Aug. 5 2026. Brown's Research Security Matters Training satisfies this requirement, and is available to all employees in the Workday Learning system.
DOR QUICK LINKS
Follow the Division of Research on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.
Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe here.
 |