[January 20, 2011]Which NIH applications must use the new NIH ADOBE-FORMS-B1 for due dates on or after January 25, 2011? The new NIH ADOBE-FORMS-B1 packages must be used for the following programs: Career Development (Ks), Institutional Training and Career Development (Ts, Ds), and Individual National Research Service Award (Fs) programs. Therefore, applicants must select ADOBE-FORMS-B1 when creating grant proposals for K, T, or F applications in InfoEd. Applications for all other NIH research grants may use the ADOBE-FORMS-B until May 7, 2011. SR-PD recommends selecting ADOBE-FORMS-B when creating all research grant proposals (e.g. R01, R21, R03 etc.) in InfoEd for the February 2011 deadlines. See NIH Notices 11-007 and 11-008. [Faculty, Postdocs and Resadmin 01/20/2011]
[September 30, 2010] What is Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)? Responsible conduct of research is defined by NIH and others as the practice of scientific investigation with integrity (NOT-OD-10-019). RCR involves the awareness and application of established professional norms and ethical principles in the performance of all activities related to scientific research. More>>
[September 30, 2010] Who is required to take Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training on campus? The current institutional requirement is that all pre- and post-doctoral appointees on NIH funded NRSA programs must attend an RCR/Ethics course in the first year of their appointment (Tri-Institutional Ethics Course). In addition, all first year Graduate Fellows and third year Biomedical Fellows must attend, so that they are trained in ethical considerations from the outset of their graduate education. The Dean's Office oversees the RCR training requirement on campus. More>>
The NSF requires institutions to verify that undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers supported by NSF to conduct research have received training in the responsible and ethical conduct of research (RCR). More>>
[September 30, 2010] What are the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) resources available for University researchers? The Rockefeller University, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center collaborate to provide joint formal training in the responsible and ethical conduct of research through a Tri-Institutional Ethics Course. The course is offered annually and at The Rockefeller University the RCR training is overseen by the Dean's Office. The course focuses on ethical considerations relevant to the conduct of research, and presents federal, state and institutional policies, regulations and procedures, providing trainees with critical analysis and problem solving skills for ethical decision-making.
[September 30, 2010] What is the expected scope of the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training plan in your NIH funding application? Review the program guidelines and if required, your RCR training plan should describe how the instructional components outlined by the NIH Policy are incorporated: format, subject matter, faculty participation, duration, and frequency. Full details at NIH NOT-OD-10-019.
[Jan. 27, 2010] Do non-research awards (e.g. infrastructure, instrumentation, training, others) have regulatory and other requirements? Similar to research grants, non-research awards come with regulatory and other requirements with which investigators and the Institution must comply. NIH Instrumentation Grants (S10), NIH Construction Grants (C06), NIH Renovation Grants (G20), NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, New York State Instrumentation Grants from NYSTEM, are all examples of grants that while supporting research, do not necessarily fund particular research projects/individual investigators. Awardees need to review their awards' terms and conditions closely and discuss with their GMS the specific program requirements. For example, reporting requirements could extend well beyond the end of the grant, in some cases for 10 years or more; the appropriate use of funds (as originally approved) may need to be re-certified periodically, years after the award has ended; systematic reporting of resulting publications on work that benefited from the purchased instruments, the renovated facility, the new construction, and/or the like, would normally be required. Just as with research grants, non-research grant support must be acknowledged in all resulting deliverables (papers, chapters, posters, and/or the like). [Faculty and Res Admins 03/04/10][Jan. 25, 2010] What does NIH consider a new, rather than resubmitted, fellowship application? Per NIH's SF424 Individual Fellowship Application Guide, Sections 2.7 and 2.9 on Resubmission: After two reviews (original plus one resubmission) any subsequent fellowship application (now a new application with a different number) is expected to be substantially different in the mentoring plan and the content and scope of planned research training with more significant differences than are normally encountered in a resubmission application. Simply rewording the title and responding to comments from the previous summary statement(s) does not constitute a substantial change. When noted in the summary statement, changes to the research training plan should produce a significant change in direction and approach for the research project. More >> [Res Admins 03/18/10]
[Nov. 23, 2009] Does the 75% effort requirement for the K99 portion of an NIH K99/R00 award preclude K99 awardees from devoting effort (no salary) on other grants, e.g. on the mentor’s R01? Candidates for all Career Development Award (CDA or “K”) programs must have a “full-time” appointment at the applicant institution both at the time of application and award. Mentored CDA candidates (including K99) are required to have a minimum commitment equivalent of 9 calendar person months (75% or their full-time appointment at the applicant institution) to be devoted to the career development and research objectives of the program specified in each Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). The remaining 3 person months (25% effort) can be divided among other research, clinical, and teaching activities only if these activities are consistent with the goals of the mentored CDA, i.e., the candidate’s development into an independent investigator. Mentored awardees are allowed to devote complementary effort without salary support on other research grants that include related research between the CDA and the research grant (e.g., a mentor’s R01). In such cases where there is scientific overlap, the percent effort on the research grant is subsumed within the required effort of the CDA. The related research must be consistent with the goals and objectives of the CDA. (11/23/09 NIH/OER email to CF)
[Feb. 26, 2009] How do I activate the Independent Phase (R00) of my NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00)? An awardee must have been offered and accepted a tenure-track, full-time assistant professor position (or equivalent) at an eligible institution in order to activate the extramural independent scientist (R00) phase. Transition from the mentored phase to the independent scientist phase is not automatic and requires administrative review of certain indicators. The application for the independent scientist phase of the award must be submitted at least 2 months prior to the proposed activation date of the R00 award by the R00 phase grantee organization using the PHS 398. More >> [Faculty/Postdocs/Lab Admin 03/13/09]
[Oct 15, 2008] What is the University's new postdoctoral classification policy? In response to recent IRS rulings, Postdoctoral Fellows receiving competitive fellowships may not be treated as employees at the institutions where they work. Consequently, postdoctoral appointments are now reclassified in the following manner; Postdoctoral Fellows are defined as those who receive funds that are awarded competitively or are directed by the donor specifically for support of postdocs. Postdoctoral Associates are those who have not been selected competitively for fellowships. For clarifications re the policy contact HR; for grant implementation questions contact you GMS. [sent Oct 23, 2008]
