Recombinant DNA memo from the vice president for Research
Electronic lab notes information session
Increased efficiency of the Radioactive Drug Research Committee/Human Use Subcommittee (HUS)
Post-doc information- 2016 Summer Workshop Series and Funding Resources
Research data survey to assist researchers
NSF CAREER grant writing workshop
Office of Sponsored Projects – What to expect from OSP when you submit your proposal five days in advance and what OSP can do for you with more time than that.
News from NSF
Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities (A2RU) 2016 conference
Humanities Fellowship and Grant Writing Group (FGWG)
University faculty writing fellows
T-AP Digging into Data challenge
Graduate and undergraduate internships
Limited submission funding opportunities
Extramural funding opportunities
Upcoming classes in the Research Administration Training Series (RATS)
Research news and publicizing research
Recombinant DNA Memo from the vice president for Research
To: Deans, directors and department chairs
From: Thomas N. Parks, vice president for Research
Date: March 25, 2016
Subject: Complying with NIH guidelines for research on recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids
Laboratory studies involving recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids are regulated by the NIH Office of Biotechnology Activities (OBA) and non-exempt studies require registration with, and approval by, the University of Utah Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). During the past month the university’s Biosafety Officer has identified two instances where faculty have been conducting non-exempt work without IBC approval. Such violations of NIH guidelines are serious and have to be reported to the NIH OBA with the potential for harming the reputation of the university. Compliance with the guidelines is a requirement for all institutions receiving NIH funding for research and failure to comply could have serious consequences, including loss of funding.
I am writing to request that you ensure all of your faculty are familiar with the NIH guidelines for research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids. You can find more information at the Department of Environmental Health and Safety website. You may wish to address this issue at an upcoming faculty meeting.
The biosafety officer, Dr. Neil Bowles, is available to meet with you and your faculty if you desire. He can be contacted by email or phone at 801-585-9325.
Electronic Lab Notes information session
Event date: Friday, April 22, 2016 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Faculty Center (Room 1705F)
*Please RSVP to Daureen Nesdill by April 13, 2016, for the continental breakfast and LabArchives information session.*
LabArchives is an electronic lab notebook that has been used by a number of researchers across campus as part of a trial set up by Research Data Librarians, Daureen Nesdill and Darell Schmick. How has it been going? What do the members of the research groups think of it? What are the issues and the good things about using the system? Should your research team adopt it?
If you are interested in the answers to these questions, then please join us on Friday April 22, 2016, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. to learn from the researchers using LabArchives. We will also give an overview of the product, and LabArchives representative, Matt Miller, will be there to answer questions.
Increased efficiency of the Radioactive Drug Research Committee/Human Use Subcommittee (HUS)
The Radioactive Drug Research Committee (RDRC) functions under U.S.F.D.A. authority and is required to evaluate and approve or disapprove all research uses of radioisotopes and/or radioactive drugs on or in humans. The RDRC also serves as the Human Use Subcommittee (HUS) of the Radiation Safety Committee. As required by Utah Division of Radiation Control, the HUS evaluates and approves or disapproves all proposed uses of ionizing radiation sources on or in humans for investigational or non-routine clinical procedures. The RDRC/HUS is currently composed of 10 members from various disciplines within the health sciences.
In recent years, the RDRC-HUS has greatly improved its operational efficiency. For example, during the 2015 calendar year, the median RDRC-HUS review time reached an all-time low of only 4.79 days (a 248 percent decrease since 2011), despite a 513 percent increase in the number of protocols that have been submitted for review since 2011.
It is the goal of the RDRC-HUS Committee to maintain this level of efficiency to support the University of Utah’s continued growth and leadership in clinical trials and investigational research.
Post-doc information – 2016 Summer Workshop Series and Funding Resources
The upcoming summer workshop series for postdocs, presented by Mary Anne Berzins from Human Resources, is now open for registration. This series has run for a number of years and is rated highly beneficial by postdocs. Thanks for helping us spread the word about this great training opportunity.
Summer 2016 Post-Doc Series
Registration is required. To register click on the Topics.
Date
Topic
Description
6/17/2016
11:30 – 2
Getting Clear About Accountability
This workshop will examine mindsets about the concepts of personal responsibility and accountability. We will explore potential obstacles to delivering outcomes and identify strategies for getting clear about accountability at the individual and group levels. Participants will complete an accountability assessment.
6/24/2016
11:30-2
Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
MBTI is a leadership development tool which, very simplistically, provides feedback in 4 main areas: where you primarily direct your energy; how you prefer to process information; how you prefer to make decisions; and how you prefer to organize your life.
This workshop will provide insights which influence our interactions and participation in collaborative based environments. Prior to this class participants will complete the MBTI on-line. Participants must attend class to receive MBTI results.
7/1/2016
11:30-2
Conflict Styles
We will explore the nature of conflict, how the need to be right undermines effective performance, identify ways to address conflict and identify skills to help you detach as a listener and manage the conflict. Participants will complete the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) to gain an understanding of their own and other conflict-handling styles. Participants must attend class to receive TKI results.
7/8/2016
11:30-2
Negotiating Essentials
In this workshop we will explore a number of concepts integral to effective negotiation. We will explore what makes some experiences more effective than others and examine the how and when of negotiation preparation. In this session, we will also explore the behavioral aspects of negotiation including dealing with emotion. Whether negotiation is part of your everyday work or something you are preparing for in the future, you will take away insights and strategies to build or enhance your effectiveness.
7/15/2016
11:30-2
Mentoring and Professional Development
We will discuss the nature of mentoring and professional mentoring relationships, the respective mentor and mentee roles and learn how to maximize the mentoring relationship for professional development. This session will also include the mechanics of giving and receiving feedback.
The summer program is intended to assist post docs in fulfilling the professionalism competency component in the professional development plan recommended by The National Postdoctoral Association.
Location: Training Room, HR Building, 420 Wakara Way (next to the Marriott Hotel), Research Park.
Lunch will be available.
If you have any questions please contact Mary Anne Berzins.
Postdoctoral Funding Resources
Postdoctoral training and research may be funded through a variety of sources. Most postdocs are funded through research grants, and many postdocs receive internally or externally (national and international) competitive fellowships. Postdocs may be funded through other external sources, such as salary continuation while on sabbaticals from current employers or through scholarships and fellowships from foreign governments or institutions.
To learn more visit the Postdoctoral Funding page from the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP).
Research data survey to assist researchers
*Retraction notice of “A model study into the effects of light and temperature on the degradation of fingerprint constituents [Science and Justice, 54 (2014) 346 – 350]”*
This article has been retracted at the request of the authors. The authors identified an inconsistency in the accepted paper, and were unable to reproduce the average values that were used for the graphs and tables, due to the loss of the raw data. This means that the authors could not fulfill the ethical and research data standards of the Association of Dutch Universities and the Royal Dutch Academy of Science.
Have you ever lost research data? Did a graduate student leave with the data? Did a postdoc have their own method of organizing data, which they did not share before leaving? Or were you one of those researchers who had to deal with extenuating circumstances, such as a pipe bursting and you lost your data because it was on your laptop, and backed up on a hard drive sitting next to the laptop?
What happened when you first came to campus? How difficult was it to learn of all the resources on campus needed for your research? Were you able to access the software required? Did you need someone to assist you in developing a database? Were you provided with sufficient server space?
If your research involves multiple large datasets, how do you go about hiring someone qualified to manage the data? Are you collaborating with multiple research groups across the country? Did you sit down with all your partners to discuss data management before initiating the project?
Do any of these questions seem familiar? Do you have additional research issues to add to the list?
Help us assist you with your research by participating in the survey that the libraries (Marriott Library, Eccles Health Sciences Library and Faust Law Library), Research Computing and the Center for High Performance Computing have developed to determine the issues researchers, of all disciplines, on campus are facing. You will be receiving it sometime within the next few weeks. When you do receive it, please answer the questions carefully. If someone interrupts, don’t worry, we will save your answers until you return to complete the survey. Thank you for helping us assist you.
NSF CAREER grant writing workshop
When: May 11 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
*Important* The location has been changed to the Warnock Engineering Building in the Eccles Boardrooom (WEB 1850)
The College of Engineering, The College of Science and the Vice President for Research Office are jointly sponsoring an NSF CAREER Grant Writing workshop. Any faculty on campus planning to submit an NSF CAREER grant for the July 2016 deadlines are welcome to join us for these workshops.
Workshop leaders:
Dr. Cynthia Furse (ECE and AVP for Research)
Dr. Eric Eddings (Assoc. Dean for Research, College of Engineering)
Aaron Fogelson (Assoc. Dean for Research, College of Science)
To register, please click HERE.
BEFORE THE WORKSHOP
Review the NSF CAREER Website
View this introduction to NSF Career Grants, from an NSF Program Officer. ‘What is a CAREER grant and how to do it right!’ by Dr. Richard Inouye, NSF Biology Directorate
Think of and bring a 1-paragraph description of what you would like to accomplish in your grant.
(Recommended) Get the NSF Grant Application Writer’s Workbook
Schedule:
9 a.m. Overview of the parts of your NSF Career Proposal
Overview of Resources (online) for NSF proposal writing
9:30 a.m. Research plan and your killer app (bring a one-paragraph description of what you would like to accomplish in your grant)
10 a.m. Education plans – U resources for education and outreach
10:40 a.m. Advice from a chair (Education plans, department letter of support)
11 a.m. Examples of successful research and teaching plans
12 p.m. Lunch provided (please RSVP) and questions/answers
Resources:
U grant writing resources (Grants LifeCycle)
NSF CAREER website
NSF Grant Application Writer’s Workbook (order online)
NSF Career Grant Writing Workshop (canvas site)
Office of Sponsored Projects – What to expect from OSP when you submit your proposal five days in advance and what OSP can do for you with more time than that
The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) needs your help to successfully navigate grant deadlines. Please prepare and submit applications early and give OSP at least five business days to review and process your grant proposal before the deadline.
If interested, here are the review and submission procedures followed by the OSP.
For more information, please see this important reminder from the Vice President for Research Thomas Parks.
News from NSF
Research funding available: Joint DMS-NIGMS initiative to support research at the interface of the biological and mathematical sciences
The Division of Mathematical Sciences in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences at the National Institutes of Health plan to support research in mathematics and statistics on questions in the biological and biomedical sciences. Both agencies recognize the need and urgency for promoting research at the interface between the mathematical sciences and the life sciences.
Supplements for research experiences for undergraduates/teachers/veterans
If you have an active NSF award and have potential opportunities for engaging undergraduate students/teachers/veterans into the research (not simply data collection or system administration work), then you can request a REU supplement for this research work to employ undergraduate students. NeTS will support up to two students per active award and also per PI, unless exceptional circumstances warrant the need for additional students.
Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities (A2RU) 2016 conference
Proposal deadline: May 20, 2016
The Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities (a2ru) is pleased to announce the 2016 a2ru national conference, hosted by the University of Colorado Denver, Nov. 3-5, 2016.
This year’s theme is “ArtsRx: Creative Venture, Wellbeing & the New Humanities.” a2ru is seeking proposals for panels, breakout sessions and workshops that explore and reflect arts-integrative interdisciplinary research and practice in higher education related to the following topics:
Arts and health
Arts and entrepreneurship
Science, Engineering, Arts & Design (S.E.A.D.)
New directions and applications in the Humanities
a2ru especially encourages librarians and museum professionals to join us, in addition to funders, national stakeholders and the faculty, staff, students, deans and other administrators from U.S. universities and abroad who engage in this work.
Humanities Fellowship and Grant Writing Group (FGWG)
FGWG is an opportunity to:
Learn about upcoming fellowship and grant opportunities
Share and develop application materials
Meet with program officers from funding agencies
It is ideal for both junior and senior researchers, and is an excellent forum for developing proposals. Faculty from other colleges are also welcome to attend FGWG.
FGWG (pronounced “fig-wig”) is led by the Associate Dean for Research Jakob Jensen, and the College Grants Officer Kristina Bailey.
Schedule
March 18, 2016: 2:30-4 p.m.
April 15, 2016: 2:30-4 p.m.
Location: Languages and Communication Building room 2120 (Reading Room by the dean’s office)
University faculty writing fellows
The University Writing Center (UWC) and the Vice President for Research offer convenient – and free – writing assistance to faculty members working on grants, articles for publication and research reports. Faculty writing fellows can help faculty members with focusing arguments, organizing ideas, supporting claims, citing others’ works and maintaining field conventions. All correspondence is done via email. This year’s writing fellows are Justin Whitney, a doctoral student in education and Karl Haase, a doctoral student in communications.
Please feel free to contact them via email and utilize this valuable service.
During the fall 2015 semester they assisted 17 faculty members on 20 different projects.
Also, if you’re interested in line-by-line copy editing support, please visit: Editors-for-hire.
T-AP Digging into Data challenge
Challenge deadline: June 29, 2016
Big data involving the numerous databases of digitized books, newspapers, music, artwork, etc. is changing the way researchers in the humanities and social sciences are conducting research. Computationally based research tools are needed to search, analyze and understand these materials. Digging into data offers an opportunity for researchers to collaborate with colleagues across the world in developing new research tools.
The fourth Digging into Data Challenge has just been announced and applications can accessed through the Trans-Atlantic Platform website. Successful applicants will be notified after April 2017. The duration of the project is between 24-36 months. Each research team must consist of people from at least three member countries and from both sides of the Atlantic.
Digging into Data is an international grant program involving 16 granting agencies. The U.S. granting agencies are the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The challenge can be followed on Twitter: @DiggingIntoData.
Graduate and undergraduate internships
STEM internship opportunities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
Higher Education Research Experiences (HERE)
Experience the thrill of research or technical projects at a cutting edge national laboratory and camaraderie with prestigious scientists, researchers and engineers. Meet and collaborate with the people who are world and international experts in fields that interest you. Contribute to the U.S. technical prowess that will enhance living standards and set the nation at the top of a global community. Work on solutions to pressing scientific problems.
Nuclear Engineering Science Laboratory Synthesis Programs (NESLS)
The Nuclear Engineering Science Laboratory Synthesis (NESLS) program is a cooperative research initiative geared toward students working in nuclear engineering and science. Through one- to three-year summer internships, NESLS offers students on-the-job educational and research opportunities at a multidisciplinary national laboratory.
Limited submission funding opportunities
Data Coordinating Center (DCC) Network for Emergency Care Clinical Trials: Strategies to Innovate EmeRgENcy Care Clinical Trials Network (SIREN) (U24)
Internal submission deadline: April 19, 2016
SIREN will enable conduct of high-quality, multi-site clinical trials to improve the outcomes for patients with neurologic, cardiac, respiratory, hematologic, and trauma emergency events. The DCC will have responsibility for data management, data quality, statistical analysis, Data Safety Monitoring Board(s) (DSMB) and reporting to regulatory and oversight groups.
Network Clinical Center (Hub) Network for Emergency Care Clinical Trials: Strategies to Innovate EmeRgENcy Care Clinical Trials Network (SIREN) (U24)
Internal submission deadline: April 19, 2016
SIREN will enable conduct of high-quality, multi-site clinical trials to improve the outcomes for patients with neurologic, cardiac, respiratory, and hematologic, and trauma emergency events. A Hub will typically be an academic center or tertiary referral center which will actively enroll patients into every clinical trial performed in SIREN, regardless of disease focus. A Hub will additionally provide scientific leadership and administrative oversight to its multiple satellite sites (“Spokes”). Together the Hub and Spokes will provide access to a large and varying patient population for clinical trials.
Clinical Coordinating Center (CCC) Network for Emergency Care Clinical Trials: Strategies to Innovate EmeRgENcy Care Clinical Trials Network (SIREN) – (U24)
Internal submission deadline: April 19, 2016
SIREN will enable conduct of high-quality, multi-site clinical trials to improve the outcomes for patients with neurologic, cardiac, respiratory, and hematologic, and trauma emergency events. The CCC will facilitate implementation of clinical trials and will promote high quality and efficient timeliness in trial execution through such methods as master trial agreements and a central Institutional Review Board.
Diabetes Research Centers (P30)
Internal submission deadline: May 2, 2016
Diabetes Research Centers are designed to support and enhance the national research effort in diabetes, its complications, and related endocrine and metabolic diseases. Diabetes Research Centers support three primary research-related activities: Research Core services, a Pilot and Feasibility (P and F) program, and an Enrichment program.
Brain Research Foundation Scientific Innovations Award
Internal submission deadline: May 16, 2016
The Brain Research Foundation’s Scientific Innovations Award Program provides funding for innovative science in both basic and clinical neurosciences. This funding mechanism is designed to support creative, exploratory, cutting edge research in well-established research laboratories, under the direction of established investigators.
Mallinckrodt Grants
Internal submission deadline: May 16, 2016
The mission of the Foundation is to support early stage investigators engaged in biomedical research that has the potential to significantly advance the understanding, diagnosis, or treatment of disease. Applicants should be in the first to fourth year of their tenure track faculty position and not have current R01 funding.
Pathway to Stop Diabetes
Internal submission deadline: May 16, 2016
To accelerate the research needed to discover solutions and ultimately cure this deadly epidemic, the American Diabetes Association has launched a bold initiative, Pathway to Stop Diabetes, to inspire a new generation of diabetes researchers. Pathway will provide crucial support to individuals focusing on innovative ideas and transformational approaches that will lead to ground-breaking discoveries in diabetes prevention, treatment and cures.
Pew Biomedical Scholars
Internal submission deadline: May 16, 2016
The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences provides funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. The program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding individuals who are in their first few years of their appointment at the assistant professor level.
Searle Scholars Program
Internal submission deadline: May 16, 2016
The Searle Scholars Program is a limited submission award program which makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding early-career scientists who have recently been appointed as assistant professors on a tenure-track appointment. Grants are $300,000 for a three-year term with $100,000 payable each year of the grant, subject to the receipt of acceptable progress reports. Generally, the program makes 15 new grants annually.
William T. Grant Scholars Program
Internal submission deadline: May 16, 2016
The William T. Grant Scholars Program is for early-career researchers in the social, behavioral, and health sciences. We encourage Scholars to tackle important questions that will advance theory, policy and practice for youth. Applicants identify new methods, disciplines, or content they want to learn and propose five-year research plans that foster their growth in those areas. We recognize that early-career researchers are rarely given incentives or support to take such risks, so this award includes a mentoring component. Potential Scholars should have a promising track record of conducting high-quality research, but want to pursue a significant shift in their trajectories as researchers.
Extramural funding opportunities
Partnerships for Innovation: Accelerating Innovation Research-Technology Translation (PFI: AIR-TT)
LOI deadline: Sept. 8, 2016
This PFI: AIR-TT solicitation is designed to support innovative ideas and partnerships in the translation of NSF-funded fundamental science and engineering discoveries toward market-valued solutions. The program outcomes will be more research discoveries translated onto a path toward commercial reality, more connections between faculty and persons knowledgeable about market need (e.g., potential customers, individuals with business experience, potential investors, etc.) and the engagement of faculty and students in entrepreneurial/innovative thinking.
Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative to Support Research at the Interface of the Biological and Mathematical Sciences (DMS/NIGMS)
Deadline: Sept. 14, 2016
The Division of Mathematical Sciences in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences at the National Institutes of Health plan to support research in mathematics and statistics on questions in the biological and biomedical sciences. Both agencies recognize the need and urgency for promoting research at the interface between the mathematical sciences and the life sciences.
Upcoming classes in the Research Administration Training Series (RATS)
For questions concerning RATS, please contact Tony Onofrietti (801-585-3492) or visit the RATS website.
The May 2016 Grant Writing Academy program has reached capacity and registration for the Oct. 28-30, 2016 Grant Writing Academy (GWA) is now available. For information please visit the Research Education website or contact Tony Onofrietti, director, Research Education.
Also, if you are interested in knowing more about how to write a proposal for the National Science Foundation online materials are available on the Research Education website, but you MUST be logged in to view them.
Data and Safety Monitoring: Plans, Boards & Committees
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
2-4 p.m.
HSEB, Room 2110
Introduction to SciVal Funding
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
2-4 p.m.
HSEB, Lab 3100C
Electronic Federal Grant Application Using Cayuse 424
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
2-4 p.m.
HSEB, Lab 3100A
Grant-Writing Workshop: The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
2-4 p.m.
HSEB, Room 2110
Mentoring for Fun and Profit!
Thursday, April 14, 2016
2-4 p.m.
HSEB, Room 1730
Patent Searching and Public Information Resources
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
2-4 p.m.
HSEB, Room 1730
Source Documentation for Clinical Research
Thursday, April 21, 2016
2-4 p.m.
HSEB, Room 1730
Research news and publicizing research
Interested in the cool research going on at the U? For the latest news on research, go to news. If you are interested in publicizing your research, guidelines and information on how-to, along with contact information, may be found at: Publicizing Research and Working with the Media.
Stay connected with the Office of the Vice President for Research
Interested in the latest research updates at the University of Utah? Follow the Office of the Vice President for Research on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine and sign up for Researcher’s Corner, a blog published by the VPR office, to stay up-to-date on research news, grant deadlines, policies, resources and more. If you would like to us to highlight your research, please email FollowVPR@utah.edu with a short description about your research and a PR coordinator will contact you.