1.
New NSF Policy Guide
NSF has a new
Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (NSF 07-140). The
Guide consolidates two previous standalone NSF policy documents
(NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) and Grant Policy Manual (GPM)) into
a single electronic policy framework. The Guide is effective for
proposals submitted on or after June 1, 2007.
This document
supersedes all prior versions of the GPG and GPM and can be accessed
at: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf07140/.
2.
Transforming the IRB to be More Efficient and Effective
The Institutional Review
Board (IRB) is being reorganized such that one medical committee
of the IRB will meet weekly rather than four separate committees
meeting monthly. This change will substantially reduce the time
for review and approval of IRB applications.
In addition, researchers filing new applications for IRB approval
will note some improvements in the application form intended to
elicit essential information for the IRB to ease approval of well
described research proposals.
For more information,
go to http://www.research.umn.edu/communications/news/IRBImprovements.html/.
3.
A “Smarter” Proposal Routing Form (PRF) Now Available
On June 6, the Office
of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) launched an improved Proposal
Routing Form (PRF). The OVPR would like to thank the Service and
Process Improvement Fund (SPIF) for its support of this project
and members of the University research community who provided feedback
on the improved form.
The “Smarter” PRF is one
example of the OVPR's efforts to streamline research policies and
procedures to make research administration easier for University
researchers and staff. Key features that included in the release
are:
- New look (similar to the REPA Form)
- Improved key personnel look-ups
- IRB, IACUC and IBC study look-ups
- Relevant question roll-up feature
A key component not included in the
June 6 release was the approver matrix and parallel routing capabilities.
This component is still under development and requires further refinement
before it can be released. More information on the progress of this
routing component will be available in a future RNO.
If you have questions, please e-mail Jason Myers at myers231@umn.edu.
4.
NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
The NIH Guide represents
the final authority on funding policy 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: NHLBI. Other information includes: Notice
of Intent to Publish a Request for Applications for Tools and Techniques
for Elucidating and Manipulating Neural Circuit Development.
5.
Funding Opportunities and Program Announcements
-
National Center for Environmental Research's Science
To Achieve Results (STAR) Program is seeking proposals
for research dealing with the potential implications of nanotechnology
and engineered nanomaterials on human health and the environment.
To stimulate international research in the area of engineered
nanomaterials, U.S. researchers are encouraged to collaborate
with European researchers. Research areas include: the fate,
transport and transformation of nanomaterials; and bioavailability
and exposure of humans and other species to nanomaterials. Potential
funding per award: Up to a total of $400,000, including direct
and indirect costs, with a maximum duration of three years.
Cost-sharing is not required. Proposals with budgets exceeding
the total award limits will not be considered. More information
can be found at http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2007/2007_star_nanotech.html.
Deadline: August 22, 2007
-
National
Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) are seeking proposals
that support substance abuse services or hazard exposure related
research. In particular, this program encourages innovative
scientific partnerships between researchers and community or
public partners who cannot delay policy or program changes to
obtain baseline research data related to such changes. Research
collaborations intended to answer unique and innovative questions
concerning changes in a health care system or policy are of
most interest. Detailed information can be found at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-345.html.
Deadline(s): July 20, 2007; August 20, 2007; September 20, 2007;
October 19, 2007
-
Minnesota Futures Grant Program
The Office of the Vice President for Research is pleased to
announce a new grant program designed to identify research questions
of current significance to multiple disciplines. Modeled after
the “Keck Futures Initiative,” the Minnesota Futures Grant Program
will encourage University of Minnesota faculty to create new
collaborative connections through symposia and act upon those
ideas through interdisciplinary research awards. Awards up to
$250,000 will be granted. Details of the program, eligibility,
evaluation criteria, and application instructions are available
at
http://www.research.umn.edu/opportunities/intramural/MNFutures.html.
Deadline: August 1, 2007
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