NIH Revises SF424 (R&R) Application Guides and Supplemental Instructions

The National Institutes of Health has updated the SF424 Application Form Instructions.

The changes are detailed in Revised SF424 (R&R) Application Guides and Supplemental Instructions Available (NOT-OD-17-023), as well as in the summary of Significant Changes included in the guide.

UC Global Operations: New Website Offers Resources for International Research and Travel

The University of California Office of the President has a new UC Global Operations (UCGO) website that provides a central hub of tools and resources to help UC faculty, administrators, staff, and students plan and manage international research, travel and other activities abroad.

The UCGO website offers resources that can help you:

• Plan a project: Resources to help you think through where to go, learn about UC programs, plan your budget, understand U.S. and foreign regulations and UC policies that may apply and more.
   
• Plan a trip: Important vaccinations, health and travel insurance, information about the cultural etiquette in the country you’re visiting, visa requirements, exchange rates for foreign currency, tips on what to pack and more.
   
• Travel safely and with ease on your trip: Guidelines on how to stay safe and healthy, what to do if you are sick or injured, how to stay connected, what adapters to get for your electronic devices and more.
   
• Manage your project abroad: Fundamental steps and strategies for successful project management abroad, including setting up operations, collaboration with international partners, and taking care of yourself and your team’s wellbeing while abroad.

For more information, see the UCOP news article, UC website offers important resources for those doing international research and traveling abroad, and the UCGO website.

NSF Issues Revised Grants.gov Application Guide

The National Science Foundation has issued a revised version of the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide, updated to align with changes to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 17-1). NSF replaced all references to the Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) and Award & Administration Guide (AAG) with references to the PAPPG. NSF also made editorial changes to either clarify or enhance the intended meaning of a sentence or section or to ensure consistency with data in NSF systems or other NSF policy documents.

The new NSF Grants.gov Application Guide will be effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after January 30, 2017.

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October 25, 2016 Research Advocate: NSF Issues New Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide

NSF Revision of the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction Eligibility Threshold

The National Science Foundation posted Important Notice 138 that revises the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction threshold to $70M.

The NSF announcement states:

This adjustment responds to emergent scientific research opportunities and addresses the gap that previously existed between smaller instrumentation and major facility projects. The scientific community should incorporate this change in their long range portfolio planning and prioritization efforts.

The change will be reflected in the 2017 revision of the NSF Large Facilities Manual to be published in December 2016 on the NSF Large Facilities Office website.