Grants.gov and Adobe Reader DC Compatibility Issue

On January 20, the Grants.gov Program Management Office posted the following information:

The Adobe Reader DC Version 2015.010.20056 released on January 12, 2016 was identified to blank out form field contents when attaching files. Below is the current workaround as we work on a permanent solution for the latest Adobe Reader DC version. Current Resolution:

1. Uninstall Adobe Reader DC.
2. Go to https://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/.
3. Select Reader 11.0.10.
4. Download installation file and install.
5. Applicant should be able to successfully complete their application without issue.

For more information, please visit the Grants.gov Adobe Software Compatibility page.

Paul Alivisatos Appointed Vice Chancellor for Research

Professor Paul Alivisatos will assume the role of Vice Chancellor for Research at UC Berkeley on March 1, 2016.

From his profile on the Berkeley Research website:

As Vice Chancellor for Research he will have overall responsibility for UC Berkeley’s research endeavor and primary leadership in research policy, planning and administration including relations between the university and industry, research compliance, research communications and research support for the Berkeley campus. His administrative portfolio includes management of over fifty campus research units, twelve research museums and remote field stations, and research administration offices including the Office of Research Administration and Compliance, Office of Intellectual Property & Industry Research Alliances (IPIRA), and the Office of Lab Animal Care.

For more information, see the campus news article, Outgoing Berkeley Lab director to take research helm at UC Berkeley, and the CALmessages announcement from Chancellor Nicholas Dirks.

Statement of Economic Interests (700-U) Form Revised for 2016

The State of California has issued a revised 700-U Statement of Economic Interests for Principal Investigators for immediate use. The revised form, dated 2015/2016, is available on the Conflict of Interest Committee website and is the only version that will now be accepted. If you have any questions please contact Jyl Baldwin (jbaldwin@berkeley.edu, 2-8110).

This year, the requirements for reporting travel have changed. If an individual receives a travel payment for travel occurring on or after January 1, 2016, which is reportable as a gift, he or she must disclose the travel destination.

State of California law requires disclosure of financial interest in the sponsor of a research project; the donor of a research gift; and, under certain circumstances, the provider of materials under a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) when that sponsor, donor, or provider is a non-governmental source. Please see State of California Financial Disclosure for more information.