September 26, 2014

NIH Progress Reports Submitted after October 1, 2014: Section on Individual Development Plans

As of October 1, 2014 all National Institutes of Health progress reports (RPPRs) must include a section to describe how individual development plans (IDPs) are used to identify and promote the career goals of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers associated with the award. At this point, NIH is willing to accept a description of whether the institution uses IDPs or not and how they are employed to help manage the training and career development of those individuals. Currently Berkeley does not have an institution-wide IDP policy but such a policy will be developed.

Here is implementation information provided by NIH:

NIH progress reports using the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) must include a report on the use of IDPs in Section B. Accomplishments, Question B.4. Actual IDPs should not be included. Instead, grantees will report on whether they use IDPs for all the graduate students and postdoctoral researchers included in Section D. list of Participants. The use of IDPs as well as the manner in which IDPs are used is expected to be determined by the awardee institution, but the RPPR will include a brief description of how and whether IDPs are used to help manage the career development of students and postdocs associated with that award. A similar response is required for all T, F, K, R25, R13, D43 and other awards or award components designed to provide training and professional development opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

Reminder, the RPPR is currently required for all type 5 progress reports submitted using a Streamlined Non-Competing Award Process (SNAP), and will be required for all non-SNAP progress reports submitted on/after October 17, 2014 (see NOT-OD-13-035 and NOT-OD-14-092).

For more information, see Revised Policy: Descriptions on the Use of Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Researchers Required in Annual Progress Reports beginning October 1, 2014 (NOT-OD-14-113).

August 7, 2014 Research Advocate: NIH to Require Individual Development Plan Description in Progress Reports

Federal Agencies Collaborating on Federal RePORTER

The National Institutes of Health is collaborating with other federal agencies to create Federal RePORTER, a web portal to search federal-funded science projects across multiple agencies.

In an NIH Office of Extramural Research blog post, Take a Look at the Science Research Supported by Federal Funders, Deputy Director for Extramural Research Sally Rockey describes the project, part of the STAR METRICS® program.

Federal RePORTER is still in alpha testing. However, the public is invited to try out the new search tool and provide feedback.

The database currently includes research projects funded by several Department of Health and Human Services divisions (NIH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, Administration for Children and Families, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality), as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine and the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs of the Department of Defense, and the United States Department of Agriculture.

September 04, 2014

UC Berkeley New Faculty: Grants and Contracts and More, an Introduction Using “Speed Networking”

New UC Berkeley faculty members have much to do and little time to do it. The Vice Chancellor for Research is sponsoring an informal luncheon and information session (in speed dating format) designed to give faculty members that have been at UC Berkeley three years or less a chance to quickly learn about the services provided by the various central campus offices that assist faculty with grants and contracts and some other aspects of research administration.
  • Date and Time: September 15, 2014, 12:00-1:30 pm
  • Lunch/Meeting Location: Heyns Room, UC Berkeley Faculty Club
  • RSVP Required (space is limited)
Attend this meeting and you will find out:
  • How you can find external funding opportunities and stay up-to-date on new funding initiatives
  • Where you can go to get help with everything from basic grant writing to the coordination of large multidisciplinary and multi-institutional projects
  • How you can effectively navigate the many compliance requirements that impact your research
  • How you can protect and transfer your intellectual property
  • “Who does what” at UC Berkeley from pre award proposal development through grant close out
Participating Offices/Committees:
  • Berkeley Research Development Office
  • Intellectual Property and Industry Research Alliances
    • Industry Alliance Office
    • Office of Technology Licensing
  • Research Administration and Compliance
    • Sponsored Projects Office
    • Office for Animal Care and Use
    • Office for Protection of Human Subjects
    • Research Conflict of Interest Office
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Leah Pierson at: lrpierson@berkeley.edu or (510) 642-5829.