2022-2023 NIH Grants Conference & PreCon Events Season: Session Recordings & Resources
The 2022-2023 conference season is over, but the opportunity to learn from it isn’t. Explore the recordings, slide sets, and transcripts at the NIH link provided below.
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Stipends, Tuition/Fees and Other Budgetary Levels Effective for Fiscal Year 2023
NOT-OD-23-076 establishes stipend levels for fiscal year (FY) 2023 Kirschstein-NRSA awards for undergraduate, predoctoral, and postdoctoral trainees and fellows. See link below.
It should be noted that the maximum amount that NIH will award to support the compensation package for a graduate student research assistant remains at the zero level postdoctoral stipend, as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement 2.3.7.9.
New in NASA Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2023
The 2023 version of Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES-2023) was posted at https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2023 on February 14, 2023.
Open Science and Data Management Plan
Most proposers to ROSES-2023 must provide an “Open Science and Data Management Plan”, (formerly called the Data Management Plan) or an explanation of why one is not necessary given the nature of the work proposed. This Open Science and Data Management Plan (OSDMP) must address how publications, data, and software will be made available. The budget for the proposal should include any costs needed to implement the OSDMP.
1) Publications (or as-accepted manuscripts) that derive from ROSES-2023 awards must be publicly available at the time of publication
2) Data and software developed using ROSES funding in support of a peer-reviewed publication shall be made publicly available at the time of publication,
3) Scientifically useful data and software developed during the award that was not already published must be made available by the end of the award, and
4) To be eligible to receive funding, PIs and Co-Is must provide their digital persistent identifier (e.g., ORCID) via NSPIRES under Account Management -> Personal Profile.
NASA Requires Inclusion Plan for Selected Proposals
Inclusion Plan Pilot Study – A growing number of program elements in ROSES require an Inclusion Plan. Those that do so will indicate this clearly. In general, two pages are allocated for this plan but see individual program elements for the required proposal location and page limits for Inclusion Plans.
Inclusion is defined here as the full participation, belonging, and contribution of groups and individuals within an organization or endeavor. Note that inclusion is distinct and different from diversity. Inclusion requires that all individuals can participate fully, regardless of the diversity dimension, do their best work and advance, and feel welcomed, valued, connected, engaged, and supported to reach their full potential. The Inclusion Plan should focus on inclusion, not diversity or accessibility.
The Inclusion Plan shall clearly state goals for creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive working environment and describe activities to achieve these goals including
- Identify barriers to creating a positive and inclusive working environment that are specific to the team carrying out the proposed investigation.
- Address ways in which the investigation team will work to attenuate or reduce these barriers.
- Describe roles, responsibilities, and work effort for all team members who will be participating in Inclusion Plan activities.
- Show a timeline for completing or carrying out proposed activities.
- Contain assessment mechanisms for evaluating progress towards achieving the proposed Inclusion Plan activities or goals.
Any funding requested for Inclusion Plan-related activities shall be explicitly identified and justified in the Inclusion Plan section and clearly identified in the proposal’s main budget. These will be assessed for reasonableness. The Inclusion Plan will be assessed for adequacy, appropriateness, and completeness separately from the standard evaluation of the proposal.
NSF New Requirement for a Safe and Inclusive Work Environment
Effective January 30, 2023, with the implementation of the NSF 23-1 PAPPG, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has a new requirement which states that there must be a plan for a safe and inclusive work environment created and distributed to each participant, in advance of departure for an off-campus research activity. Off-campus or off-site research is defined by NSF for this requirement as “data/information/samples being collected off-campus or off-site, such as fieldwork or research activities on vessels and aircraft.”
At the time of proposal submission for each proposal that proposes to conduct research off-campus or off site, the Authorized Organizational Representative must complete a certification that the organization has a plan in place for that proposal. Thus, prior to the submission of the proposal, Sponsored Research Services (SRS) will require the PI to certify that a plan has been created.
Several solicitations from the Directorates for Biological Sciences (BIO) and Geological Sciences (GEO) will soon require the submission of a Safe and Inclusive Work Environments Plan that will be considered as part of the Broader Impacts criteria during the review process.
As a reminder, this 2-page supplementary document must address the following four sections:
- a brief description of the field setting and unique challenges for the team;
- the steps the proposing organization will take to nurture an inclusive off-campus or off-site working environment, including processes to establish shared team definitions of roles, responsibilities, and culture, e.g., codes of conduct, trainings, mentor/mentee mechanisms and field support that might include regular check-ins, and/or developmental events;
- communication processes within the off-site team and to the organization(s) that minimize singular points within the communication pathway (e.g., there should not be a single person overseeing access to a single satellite phone); and
- the organizational mechanisms that will be used for reporting, responding to, and resolving issues of harassment if they arise.
NIH Update on Simplifying Review Criteria NIH Update on Simplifying Review Criteria: A Request for Information
NIH has issued a request for information (RFI) seeking feedback on revising and simplifying the peer review framework for research project grant applications. The proposed changes will allow peer reviewers to focus on scientific merit by evaluating 1) the scientific impact, research rigor, and feasibility of the proposed research without the distraction of administrative questions and 2) whether or not appropriate expertise and resources are available to conduct the research, thus mitigating the undue influence of the reputation of the institution or investigator. Through the RFI, NIH continues to seek further public input on the proposed changes before moving forward with implementation. The RFI will be open for a 90-day period, until March 10, 2023. NIH looks forward to your comments. For more information and to provide your input go to Update on Simplifying Review Criteria: A Request for Information – NIH Extramural Nexus
Expanded Required Responsible & Ethical Conduct of Research Training
CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 – NSF Provisions. Expands required Responsible & Ethical Conduct of Research training. In addition to the current requirement for undergraduates, graduate students and postdocs, this training will now be required for faculty and senior personnel working on NSF funded projects beginning the end of July 2023. New Topics: Mentor training, mentorship, awareness of potential research security threats, export controls (disclosure and reporting).
National Science Foundation releases revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 23-1)
The National Science Foundation releases revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 23-1. The new PAPPG will be effective for proposals submitted or due on or after January 30, 2023. The PAPPG can be accessed in either a html or a PDF format at https://beta.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/23-1 NSF will present information about these changes at the upcoming NSF Grants Conference as part of the Proposal and Award Policy Update session on November 17th.
Additional information and no-cost registration are available at: https://nsfpolicyoutreach.com/22-grants-conference/.
DOE Office of Science – Applications will require Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plan
Beginning in FY 2023, all Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) and DOE National Lab Announcements and other funding solicitations will require applicants to submit a Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plan as an appendix to their proposal narrative. PIER Plans should describe the activities and strategies applicants will incorporate to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in their research projects. PIER Plans will be evaluated as part of the merit review process and will be used to inform funding decisions.
Read full article at GRANTS Promoting Inclusive and E… | U.S. DOE Office of Science(SC) (osti.gov)
On-Demand Presentation on the Huron Disclosure System Software
The recent Sponsored Research Services (SRS) AnSRS4U recording of the presentation on the Huron Disclosure System Software is now available for viewing from the SRS website at AnSRS4U – Sponsored Research Services (tamu.edu)
As a reminder, the Office of Export Controls, Conflict of Interest, and Responsible Conduct of Research has a website Disclosure Process in Huron – Division of Research (tamu.edu) with user guides and information on upcoming training opportunities.
You can access the system via Single Sign-On from the following link: https://tamu.huronresearchsuite.com/ – On this page, you need to search Texas A&M for the log in. It displays all A&M System parts.
People can access the system and submit their disclosure profiles anytime. If they are involved in faculty consulting and external employment, they need to submit a Pre-Approval Request in Huron, as soon as possible. For questions contact Laura Cajiao-Wingenbach or Lesa Feldhousen. During business hours they can be reached at 979 458-3149 or via email at coi@tamu.edu.
NIH Data Management and Sharing Plans
Reminder of New NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan Policy
Be prepared for the new NIH policy on Data Management and Sharing that is effective for applications submitted on January 25, 2023 and after. Beginning on this date NIH will require researchers to submit a data management plan as part of their application. The plan will be part of the budget justification section of the proposal and will be limited to two pages or less.
New NIH Website on Scientific Data Sharing
NIH has announced the availability of a new website on Scientific Data Sharing. Whether you are involved in an NIH-funded project and want to understand which sharing policies apply to your research and how to comply, or you are a researcher looking to access scientific data from NIH-affiliated repositories, this site provides helpful information on the process:
To learn more about this new website, you can go to the NEXUS announcement.
TAMU Libraries Research Data Management Services
Go to Research Data Management Services (tamu.edu) Use the DMPTool to create a data management plan.
Cayuse Learning Session Announcement
Cayuse Proposals is a tool that is designed for administrators and/or researchers to use for the preparation of proposals. Some researchers have requested training in order to access the system, upload documents, and in some instances, assist with preparation of their proposals. In response to these requests informational sessions for researchers will be offered. As always, SRS Proposal Administrators will continue to provide full proposal preparation services.
Please view the prerecorded session here.