1. The University of Minnesota selected for FDP, Phase V
The University learned this week that its application to participate in the next six-year cycle of the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) has been approved. The University of Minnesota was one of over 100 institutions selected to participate in the upcoming cycle, along with nine federal funding agencies. Applicants were judged on the strength of their institutional streamlining efforts and their commitment to working nationally with other FDP participants to reduce regulatory burden, as well as to design and demonstrate improved business models for effective research oversight and increased research productivity. The FDP is unique in its organizational structure, bringing together scientific, administrative, and technical representatives from each of the institutions and the federal agencies to address these issues. Minnesota will be represented in Phase V by Professor Jerry Cohen, Horticulture Science (faculty representative);
Professor Joe Konstan, Computer Science and Engineering (alternate faculty representative); Frances Spaulding, EGMS Coordinator (technical representative); and Pamela A. Webb, Associate Vice President for Research Administration (administrative representative). Additional information about the FDP and its initiatives are available at http://thefdp.org/. The achievements of the current phase of the FDP, including the significant contributions by University of Minnesota representatives, will be highlighted in the RNO later this summer.
2. EFS-SP Web Site Launched
Sponsored Projects Administration and Sponsored Financial Reporting have launched a new Web site to help with the transition to the University's new Enterprise Financial System (EFS). The site contains a wealth of information, including: important notices,
key changes in policies and procedures, cutover dates, departmental best practices, new forms, FAQs, and a blog for people to post comments or questions. For more information, visit http://www.ospa.umn.edu/efs_sp/index.htm.
3. Streamlined Clinical Trial and Fixed Price Agreement Closeout Process
Sponsored Projects Administration and Sponsored Financial Reporting have streamlined the closeout process for industry-sponsored clinical trials and other fixed-price agreements. Effective immediately, principal investigators only need to complete a closeout form if they have a significant residual balance. The threshold for "significant balance" has been increased from 10% to 25% for total payments received of $25,000 or more.
For payments under $25,000, the form will be required when the balance is $6250 or greater. The policy is available at http://www.fpd.finop.umn.edu/groups/ppd/documents/policy/clinical_trials_pol.cfm.
4. New Technology Commercialization Web Site
The Office for Technology Commercialization (OTC) has launched a new Web site enhanced for easy navigation and access to information and resources. The site helps researchers through the technology transfer process and connects companies to University discoveries and innovations. Bridging the gap between the laboratory and the marketplace, OTC has the scientific and industry expertise to effectively assess, value, and market new technologies.
Visit www.research.umn.edu/techcomm to learn more and read about this month’s Inventor Spotlight on medicinal chemistry professor Philip Portoghese.
5. NCURA Videobroadcast
On June 10, 2008, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the University of Minnesota will present the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) videobroadcast, "Complex Agreements." It will be shown in Hubert H Humphrey Center's, Cowles Auditorium on the West Bank.
Getting research results from the bench to the public can take several paths and involve several types of agreements outside of the initial supporting research award. These may include non-disclosure agreements, teaming agreements, material transfer agreements, clinical trial agreements, and license agreements with start-up companies. This program will focus on these agreements and areas of risk, accounting issues, institutional and individual conflict of interest, protection of human subjects, effort certification for investigators, publications, and the special challenges you face in administering all these issues in collaborations with multiple parties and a multi-site clinical trial program.
To register for this workshop, contact Michael Harris at harri826@umn.edu. Certified Approvers must register online at https://onestop2.umn.edu/training/index.jsp?unit=CA to receive continuing education hours. For more information on the Certified Approver program, go to www.oar.umn.edu/CA/index.cfm. For more details on this and upcoming NCURA programs, go to www.ncura.edu/meetings/.
6. xTrain for NIH Training Grants
The University of Minnesota is participating in a NIH pilot to use a new electronic system to improve the administration of NIH Training Grants (primarily T32s). The system, called "xTrain," will allow principal investigators and University administrative staff to submit appointment forms (PHS Form 2271) and termination notices (PHS Form 416-7) online for their students who receive financial support from these grants. The system reduces administrative burden not only by eliminating paper processes, but also by allowing University training grant directors and staff online access to track the status and timing of individual appointments. xTrain user labs have been scheduled to assist University faculty and staff with this new implementation. For training dates and times, go to http://www.ospa.umn.edu/GrantGov/Schedules%20and%20Calendars/trainingschedule.html.
7. Controlled Substance Training
The Office of Regulatory Affairs is offering controlled substance training for anyone new to using controlled substances for research. The training session is scheduled on May 15, 2008. For full details and to pre-register, go to https://onestop2.umn.edu/training/courseDetail.jsp?course=RA0001. For more information, contact Cathy Marquardt at marqu005@umn.edu or 612.625.9624.
8.
NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
The NIH Guide is
the official publication for NIH medical and behavioral research
grant policies, guidelines and funding opportunities for the National
Institutes of Health. To subscribe to the Guide’s
weekly listserv or to read it online, go to http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/.
The following institute(s)/center(s) have grant opportunities in
the current Guide: NCI. Other information includes:
Change in Guidelines for NIDCD Clinical Research Center Grants (P50).
9.
Funding Opportunities and Program Announcements
- Minnesota Futures Grant Program
In order to help propel research and scholarship beyond the ordinary, the OVPR is pleased to announce the second year of the Minnesota Futures Grant Program. The program, an internal funding opportunity offered by the OVPR, is specifically designed to foster new pathways of interdisciplinary research. Three awards, providing up to $25,000 each to support a symposium, will be offered during Phase 1 of the program. For details, go to http://www.research.umn.edu/opportunities/intramural/MNFutures.html.
Deadline:
May 23, 2008
- Susan G. Komen for the Cure has released two RFAs to attract researchers to the study of population disparities in breast cancer and to increase important skills and expertise to design and conduct research that will begin to address the causes of and remedies for breast cancer disparities across population groups. For details, go to http://cms.komen.org/komen/GrantsProgram/ResearchGrants/index.htm.
Deadline: varies
- The Defense Autism Research Program aims to improve the lives of individuals living with autism spectrum disorder. The encouragement of established scientists in the field and the attraction of new scientific expertise from other fields are essential to the ARP community. Proposals that address the needs of minority, low-income, rural, and other under-represented and/or medically underserved populations are strongly encouraged. For details, go to http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/arp.htm.
Preapplication Deadlines: June 2008
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