[Research] Important NSF and NIH News

Thu Jan 13 08:28:48 PST 2022

~~ Please disseminate this information with those researchers and research administrators in your department who may find it noteworthy ~~

NIH - EXTENDING EXISTING GUIDANCE FOR PREPARING APPLICATIONS DURING COVID-19  (NIH Extramural Nexus)

For Spring 2022 due dates, NIH recently extended the guidance<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-22-046.html> that while grant applications should not include contingency or recovery plans for problems resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, investigators may address effects due to the pandemic on productivity or other scoreable issues in the personal statement of the biosketch. Reviewers will be instructed to take these pandemic-related circumstances into account when assessing applicants' productivity and other score-driving factors. If needed, NIH staff will request and assess plans to resolve specific problems arising from the COVID-19 pandemic prior to funding.  https://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/2022/01/11/extending-existing-guidance-for-preparing-applications-during-covid-19/

Reminder of NIH Closeout Policies
By NIH Staff<https://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/author/nih-staff/>

Is your NIH grant coming to an end soon? Here's a refresher on reporting deadlines, timeframes for drawing funds from the Payment Management System (PMS), and the process for amending a Federal Financial Reports (FFR).

Recipients must submit a final FFR, Final Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR), and Final Invention Statement and Certification within 120 calendar days of the end of the period of performance (see NIHGPS Section 8.6<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/HTML5/section_8/8.6_closeout.htm>). In the event that additional time is needed to fulfill the closeout requirements (e.g. prepare, revise, or amend financial reports), a no-cost extension should be requested.

Recipients may request payments from PMS up to 120 days past the period of performance end date, to liquidate obligations incurred during the period of performance. Per the NIH Grants Policy Statement, a term and condition of every NIH award, recipients must submit timely, accurate final grant expenditure reports, and reconcile cash transaction reports submitted to the PMS with expenditure reports submitted to NIH.

In rare cases, a recipient may need to revise or amend previously submitted expenditures more than 120 days past the period of performance end date in order to revise a previously submitted FFR. In these cases, the AOR must notify the IC Grants Management Specialist listed in the NoA for additional guidance (see NIHGPS Section 8.4.1.5.3<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/HTML5/section_8/8.4.1_reporting.htm#Revised>).

For more details, see the full Guide Notice<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-21-102.html>.

NSF Disclosures Relating to the Biosketch and Current and Pending Support

An important message from NSF:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Dear Colleagues:

NSF has issued an updated version of the table entitled NSF Pre-award and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support<https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/disclosures_table.jsp>.  The updated table dated January 10, 2022, includes information regarding start-up packages provided by proposing organizations as well as outside organizations.  Any questions regarding the contents of the table should be directed to the Policy Office at policy at nsf.gov<mailto:policy at nsf.gov>.

Regards,

Jean Feldman

Head, Policy Office

Division of Institution and Award Support

Office of Budget, Finance & Award Management

*     *     *

Note: On January 10, 2022, NSF also issued Current and pending support FAQs<https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/cps_faqs/currentandpendingfaqs_jan2022.pdf>

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REMINDER:

Upcoming Changes to the NIH Biographical Sketch and the Other Support Format Page
Required for Applications, Just-in-Time Requests, and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs)
Due on or after January 25, 2022

The National Institute of Health (NIH) issued Notice NOT-OD-21-073<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-21-073.html>, Upcoming Changes to the NIH Biographical Sketch and Other Support, and subsequently issued Notice NOT-OD-21-110<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-21-110.html> which delayed the required use of the new Biographical Sketch and Other Support format pages until January 25, 2022.

All current and future investigators supported by NIH awards are strongly encouraged to review these notices, along with the related format instructions and frequently asked questions, to familiarize themselves with the new requirements.
NIH is enforcing these changes on all applications, Just-in-Time requests, and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) as of January 25, 2022.

Submissions that do not conform to the new requirements may cause NIH to withdraw the submission from consideration (i.e., return without review) due to noncompliance (see NOT-OD-21-073<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-21-073.html>).

Twice this month, the Office of Research of Economic Development will be presenting "Changes to the NIH Biographical Sketch & Other Support" - which is an informational workshop for researchers.

  *   The first workshop will be held Friday, January 14, 2022, from Noon - 1PM.
  *   The second workshop will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2022, from Noon - 1PM.
Each workshop will contain the same content, so please attend the one which is most convenient.  The ZOOM link to each workshop is available https://research.ucr.edu/spa/NIH-Bio-Other-Support#workshops.
(A power point presentation will subsequently be posted for those who are unable to attend and/or for later reference.)

Below is an overview of some of the forthcoming NIH requirements:
Biosketch - Use of new NIH Biosketch templates will be required, with the following changes to the requirements:
Two options for creating a NIH Biosketch: SciENcv<https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sciencv/> (recommended by UCR) or Word template. Instructions, FAQ, samples and the current Word templates are available here<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm>.

  *   Section A: Applicants may choose to include details on ongoing and completed research projects from the past three years that they want to draw attention to. Formatting samples provided in NIH's sample biosketch<http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/non-fellowship-biosketch-sample-2021.docx>.
  *   Section B: Section B has been renamed 'Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors'. List in reverse chronological order all current positions and scientific appointments both domestic and foreign, including affiliations with foreign entities or governments.

     *   For foreign appointments, supporting documentation will need to be provided at the Just-In-Time (JIT) phase as detailed under Other Support.
  *   Section D: "Research Support" removed for non-Fellowship Biosketches. Included on Fellowship Biosketches as "Scholastic Performance".
Other Support -  Use of new Other Support templates will be required, with the following changes to the requirements:

  *   SciENcv is not yet an available option for creating the Other Support page (although it is anticipated to be forthcoming in spring 2022 from NIH).  Until then, the NIH Word template must be utilized to prepare Other Support information.  Such Word template contains a certification as to the accuracy of the information disclosed and, therefore, NIH requires that the template be converted to a PDF, and electronically signed by the researcher. Typed names and wet signatures are not accepted. (This is an interim process while NIH moves to the use of SciENcv templates for Other Support.)

  *   New format with sections to disclose all sources of other support and related information.
     *   NIH has emphasized that investigators must disclose all sources of Other Support (Total costs (Direct and Indirect) for the entire project period) and related information, including outside activities (e.g. consulting that involves research, visiting professorships) if conducting research, in-kind support, and gifts if donor expects anything in return (e.g. time, services, research).
        *   In-Kind Contributions Section: Separated from funded projects. Provide Active and Pending In-Kind contributions for all senior/key personnel. Enter in-kind entries grouped together based on the "Status of Support" and in order of Active and Pending Support from top to bottom. If there is no associated effort level, zero effort can be listed but an estimated dollar value must be listed; effort and dollar value cannot both be zero.
  *   Investigators must submit supporting documentation, including contracts, grants, or any other agreement, for foreign appointments/ employment in connection with foreign activities and resources reported in Other Support
     *   Effective January 25, 2022, this will be mandatory for all senior/key personnel.
     *   If the contracts, grants or other agreements are not in English, recipients must provide translated copies.
     *   This supporting documentation must be provided as part of the Other Support pdf following the Other Support Format page.
     *   NIH has reserved the right to request copies of any contracts, grants or any other agreements that are related to faculty research endeavors reported in Other Support. (If NIH requests additional documentation, please contact your department's designated Contract and Grant Officer<https://redit.ucr.edu/OrApps/RED/Staff.aspx?t=3> in Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) before providing the requested documents.)
  *   PD/PI or senior/key personnel must electronically sign the following certification on each Other Support page:
     *   I, PD/PI or other senior/key personnel, certify that the statements herein are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge, and accept the obligation to comply with Public Health Services terms and conditions if a grant is awarded as a result of this application. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties.

  *   Immediate Notification of Undisclosed Other Support: If you discover that other support has not been disclosed to NIH, please alert your Contract and Grant Officer<https://redit.ucr.edu/OrApps/RED/Staff.aspx?t=3> immediately so that NIH may promptly be updated.

URLs -  Please be advised that Hyperlinks and URLs are not allowed outside of the References Cited and Biosketch documents. Biosketches only allow a URL to a full list of the individual's published work and such URL must be a government (.gov) website.
Due to the significant changes being implemented by the NIH, UCR's Sponsored Programs Administration has developed a helpful webpage on this topic with the pertinent information, instructions, and forms. Please visit https://research.ucr.edu/spa/NIH-Bio-Other-Support.
Should you have further questions, please reach out to your department's designated Contract and Grant Officer<https://redit.ucr.edu/OrApps/RED/Staff.aspx?t=3>.

NIH - Expanding Requirement for eRA Commons IDs to All Senior/Key Personnel

For applications with due dates on or after January 25, 2022, NIH, AHRQ, FDA, and ORD/VA will require all individuals listed on the R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Form to have an eRA Commons username (Commons ID).
Extension of the existing eRA Commons ID requirement to include all senior/key personnel will facilitate better data collection for individuals contributing to federally funded research as well as assist in disambiguating data on applications and facilitating the identification of conflicts of interest in peer review.

  *   This new requirement applies to all Senior/Key Personnel and Other Significant Contributors proposed in NIH applications. (This requirement already existed for PIs and co-PIs.)
  *   UCR will only create Commons IDs for UCR personnel.  Non-UCR personnel can set up Commons IDs with their employing entity or, if unrelated to an entity, non-UCR personnel must complete all the required registrations as though they are an organization following the unaffiliated guidance detailed here<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/ElectronicReceipt/UnaffiliatedUserRegistration.pdf>. NIH recommends starting the registration process for unaffiliated individuals at least six weeks prior to a deadline to allow plenty of time to address unforeseen issues along the way.
  *   Missing Commons ID for all Senior/Key Personnel will cause a Warning; however, NIH is targeting to have a missing Commons ID result in an ERROR that must be corrected before the application can be submitted to the agency.  The official targeting date has not yet been announced.

For further information, please see NIH Notice NOT-OD-21-109<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-21-109.html>.

How To Subscribe to this Research List-Serv

Do you know of someone in your department who is not currently registered to receive newsletters (such as this one) from the Research list-serv, but would like to be?  If so, please forward their name and email to cynthia.wells at ucr.edu<mailto:cynthia.wells at ucr.edu>.

[icon_Calendar]

Calendar

1/14/2022 and 1/20/2022 - Faculty workshop: Changes to the NIH Biographical Sketch & Other Support https://research.ucr.edu/spa/NIH-Bio-Other-Support#workshops

[Events for January 17, 2022 - September 6 - Collegedale Public Library]

UCR will be closed on Monday, January 17th in observation of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday

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