Vol. 9, No. 5; September 25, 2009
Published
by the Office of the Vice President for Research
Editor: Amy Danielson
Research News Online provides information
about news, policies, procedures, funding opportunities, and events
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1. NIH Updates its Progress Report Forms Effective October 1
NIH has updated its non-competing continuation application (progress report) (Form 2590) and is requiring its use for progress reports due October 1, 2009 or later. The changes were announced in notice NOT-OD-09-139. A list of the changes is also posted on Sponsored Projects Administration's website at www.ospa.umn.edu. NIH plans to release these changes in eSNAP (electronic system for SNAP-eligible progress reports) on October 9, 2009. Progress reports normally submitted via e-SNAP by October 15, 2009 are being allowed a grace period through October 31, 2009 for submission.
At the University, the Electronic Grants Management System (EGMS) is being programmed to accommodate NIH’s changes, and the updated tool is expected to be released on November 22, 2009. Until that time, SPA recommends that users take advantage of NIH’s e-SNAP application whenever possible, or use the NIH form-fillable data sets available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm.
2. E-Verify Requirements Implemented for Certain Federal Contracts
Effective September 8, 2009, new federal contracts and subcontracts over $100,000 will include a requirement that the University screen all employees working on the award for eligibility to work in the United States. Such reviews are done by departments at time of hire or when adding a person to the contract through the University's online I-9 system. A job aid for this process is available at http://tinyurl.com/yat39by.
The E-Verify requirement does not apply to grants or cooperative agreements, or for federal contracts/subcontracts under $100,000. Employees on federal contracts issued prior to September 8, 2009 do not need to be screened. Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) will notify principal investigators and their departments if they are required to conform to this requirement via their Notice of Grant Award (NOGA). New hires at the University must be screened within 3 days of hire; existing employees hired after November 6, 1986 must be screened within 90 days of the start date of the contract, or within 30 days after they are added to a contract. Employees hired at the University prior to November 6, 1986 need not be screened. A record of the screening must be retained in the department's award files. There is no cost to departments for this screening.
3. Student Scholar and Public Engagement Showcase
The University will host a student research showcase in concert with Public Engagement Day on Wednesday, October 7, 1-4 p.m. in the TCF Bank Stadium. Art, design, and exhibits from University undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, as well as recent alumni, will be highlighted. In addition, faculty and staff will showcase public engagement activities and scholarship. For more information, visit the Homecoming website.
4. Eli Lilly’s New PD2 (Penotypic Drug Discovery) Initiative
The Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) is pleased to announce the launch of Eli Lilly’s new PD2 (phenotypic drug discovery) initiative to the University of Minnesota research community. This program will allow investigators at the U of M to submit structures to Eli Lilly for analysis, at no cost. More details and important information about the program can be found at https://pd2.lilly.com or by contacting one of OTC's Technology Strategy Managers.
5. Rapid Prototyping Services Available to U Researchers
The Northern Lights Technology Center, a department of UMD's Natural Resources Research Institute, creates 3D models to help researchers present their research results.
The center's capabilities include:
- medical and dental models,
- direct pour metal cast parts using zinc and aluminum
- simulated overmolding on prototypes
- flexible parts
- high-impact parts also suitable for rapid manufacturing
Since 2003, they have offered stereolithography, selective laser sintering, 3-D printing, and fused deposition modeling using solid model and 3D CAD programs such as Solidworks. For more information, visit www.northernlightsrp.com. Or e-mail Steve Kossett, program manager, at skossett@nrri.umn.edu.
6. NSF Responsible Conduct of Research Requirement for Students
Beginning January 4, 2010, the National Science Foundation (NSF) will require that institutions applying for funding from NSF have plans to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers who will be supported by NSF to conduct research. An ad hoc NSF RCR committee has been meeting through the summer to develop this plan for the University. The final implementation notice from NSF was in the August 20, 2009 Federal Register; for the full text, visit http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2009-08-20/html/E9-19930.htm. Information about the University's plan will be forthcoming.
If you have questions or comments, please contact Carol Foth at fothx001@umn.edu or 612.624.1854.
7.
Funding Opportunities and Program Announcements
- For details about Stimulus Bill funding opportunities and news, visit http://www.research.umn.edu/stimulus.html.
- The Support Opportunity for Addiction Research (SOAR) is for new investigators to leverage existing research programs in order to strengthen, possibly expand, and/or further develop alcohol, drug abuse, and co-morbidity research. The FOA is expected to be published on or before December 2009 with an expected receipt date in April 2010. For details, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-DA-09-013.html.
- Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-AACR Pathway to Leadership is designed to ensure the future leadership of pancreatic cancer research, will begin during the grantee’s fellowship and will continue through his/her successful transition to independence. For details, visit www.aacr.org/page17688.aspx.
Deadline: October 28, 2009
- The U.S–Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) is pleased to announce the opening of a special round of applications devoted to energy research (BSF Energy), supported by special funding from the Israeli Ministry of National Infrastructures in coordination with the US Department of Energy. For details, visit http://tinyurl.com/yemfo4g.
Deadline: November 12, 2009
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