NSM Faculty/Staff Newsletter

From the Office of the Dean

August 2024

Did You Know?

Staff: Submit Your Honors/Achievements

Did you recently complete a degree or certification? Receive an award? Present at a conference? Let us know by completing the NSM Staff Honors/Achievements Form. The information will be used in the Honors and Recognition section of the Faculty/Staff Newsletter. Staff, co-workers, or supervisors can use the form to submit news of recent honors and achievements.

Office of Research Update

Recent Awards

Congratulations to the following faculty members for their recent awards:

  • Joshua Bocarsly (Chemistry) was awarded a $300,000 grant The Welch Foundation: “Discovery and Control of Quantum Materials using Electrochemical Intercalation”
  • Yuhong Wang (Biology & Biochemistry) was awarded $41,031 by the Baylor College of Medicine/NIH: “Force Generation and Mechanism Elucidation of EF-Tu (Year 4 Graduate Fellowship: Jordan Johnson)”

* The awards listed above are extracted from the awards report generated through PeopleSoft Grants system. This report includes only the awards that are fully set up with cost centers available for expenditures. Any incoming awards pending in the system will not be reported until the set up is complete.

General Reminders

Looking for new funding opportunities? Check out the NSM Office of Research’s Funding Opportunities webpage. Here you will find a list of funding opportunities curated to the interests of NSM faculty. The list is updated monthly, so check back often.

Don’t unnecessarily delay your award! The most common cause for delays in issuing a notice of award (NOA) is failing to submit just-in-time (JIT) information, such as revised budgets and current/pending support information. The biggest obstacle to award set up is congruency review—an internal review done by DOR that ensures all compliance approvals are complete (animal use, human subjects, biohazards, radiation safety). To minimize delays in getting your award, please let us know if you receive a favorable review. This typically comes in the form of a high impact score on a summary statement or a letter from the sponsor suggesting interest in the proposal. We will complete any pending JIT requests and ask DOR to begin the congruency review.

Preparing your next proposal? Please review our proposal submission timetable. We routinely have multiple grants due at or near the same time, so it is imperative that everything is in order well ahead of the deadline. This also gives us time to properly check for errors. Let us know when you have plan(s) for submission by filling out our Google Form online.

NSF now requires the use of SciENcv to generate Biosketches and Current and Pending Support documents. NSF stopped accepting the fillable pdf forms in October 2023. For all new NSF proposals, Biosketches and C&P Support documents for all key personnel must be generated with SciENcv. If you haven’t already done so, please create an account with SciENcv. There are YouTube videos on SciENcv that will explain how to use the service.

Let us create your budgets! Many of you like to fill in the UH budget worksheet yourself, but we end up transferring that information to the most current version and looking up everyone’s salary and benefits information anyway. It is simpler to just send us an outline of what you would like in the budget, and let us create it for you. A great way to do this is to make a draft of your budget justification. We can use that to create the budget.

Please check out the NSM Office of Research website for useful links and information.

– The NSM Research Team

What’s New?

Recent and Upcoming Changes in NIH Applications and Reports

  • Report DMS Plan Activities in RPPR: NIH will require the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) to address NIH Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plan activities including updates on data sharing, repositories, and unique identifiers for data that have been shared (NOT-OD-24-123). The updated NIH RPPR Instructions Guide will be posted to the RPPR page, and NIH plans to implement the new DMS reporting questions for RPPRs submitted on or after October 1, 2024.
  • Guidance for Videos Submitted as NIH Application Materials: NIH will no longer accept video files in CD/DVD/USB formats. Only digital video files submitted via email will be accepted. The files must be submitted by institutional AOR no later than 30 days prior to peer review. Multiple videos may be submitted per application, but their aggregate length (at normal speed) must not exceed two minutes for single-project applications and five minutes for multi-component applications. The maximum file size for all videos combined is 35 MB (NOT-OD-24-067).
  • Marking Changes in Resubmission Applications: Markups should not be used to identify changes in Resubmission applications. Changes made to a Resubmission application should only be outlined in the Introduction attachment (NOT-OD-24-061).
  • Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support: Effective for all applications and RPPRs submitted on or after May 25, 2025, Applicants/Recipients must use the Common Forms for both Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support. Applicants/Recipients will be required to use Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv) for completing and certifying the Common Forms. Additionally, NIH will require all Senior/Key Personnel to enter the ORCID ID into SciENcv in the Persistent Identifier (PID) section of the Common Forms and all Senior/Key Personnel to link their ORCID ID to their eRA Commons Personal Profile (NOT-24-163).

Reminder: Until the Common Forms are fully adopted by May 25, 2025, NIH requires applicants and recipients to use the current NIH Biosketch and Other Support formats for applications, Just-in-Time (JIT) Reports, and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs).

Spring 2024 NSF Grants Conference - Videos Now On-Demand

Spring 2024 NSF Grants Conference was held in June in Philadelphia. Did you miss the conference, or have you been ruminating over a session you attended? All recorded conference sessions are now available on NSF’s Policy Office Outreach website in the Resource Center. Additionally, you may view the recordings on their YouTube page.

Six New Product Types in NSF Public Access Repository

Effective July 1, 2024, NSF enabled six new product types in the NSF Public Access Repository (NSF-PAR): audiovisual, data paper, educational aid and curriculum, posted content, software, and sound.

Visit the Research.gov About Public Access page for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and updated how-to guides that include the six new product types. Also see the NSF Public Access Initiative page for the latest information on open science.

DOE: Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plans

All Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) and DOE National Lab Announcements and other funding solicitations now require a PIER Plan as an appendix to the 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. Find more information about PIER plans.

Certification of Non-Participation in Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs and Disclosure of Participation in Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs

In response to new federal guidance regarding Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (FTRPs), UH will require all key personnel to sign a certification stating that they have disclosed participation in FTRPs and that they are not participants in malign FTRPs. This certification will be a requirement for all new proposals.

New NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG, NSF 24-1)

NSF published the final version of the latest PAPPG (NSF 24-1) on January 22, 2024, and it went into effect for proposals submitted or due on or after May 20, 2024.

This version contains several significant changes to the proposal preparation:

  1. A new section (Chapter II.D.1.e(ii), Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs) is added to address the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 requirements regarding malign foreign talent recruitment programs. This applies to individuals designated as senior/key persons on a proposal.
  2. The Synergistic Activities section is removed from the biosketch. It is now its own document for each senior/key person up to 1 page and uploaded separately for NSF applications.
  3. The 3-page limitation for the biosketch is also removed. There is no longer a page limit for biosketches.
  4. The Postdoc Mentoring Plan has been replaced by the Mentoring Plan. The new Mentoring plan is required for all applications that include graduate students or postdocs.
  5. Additional language is added into the certification for biosketches and current & pending support documents in compliance with NSPM-33 and CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. You will be prompted to certify these documents each time you download them.

When preparing submissions after May 20, 2024, you must provide your biosketch and current & pending support document according to the NSF 24-1 requirements. You will be able to convert your biosketch in SciENcv with just a few clicks; the new format rolled out on May 17, 2024. Your current & pending documents in SciENcv automatically converted into the new format on May 20, 2024.

For more information, please review the webpages and video:

Simplified Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant Applications

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is simplifying the peer review process for most Research Project Grant applications, effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2025. These changes are designed to enable reviewers to better focus on answering the key questions necessary to assess scientific and technical merit, mitigate reputational bias, and reduce reviewer burden.

The major changes are as follows:

  1. The current 5 review criteria will be reorganized into just 3 criteria, with only 2 of them scored:
    • Factor 1. Importance of the research (significance and innovation) - scored 1–9
    • Factor 2. Rigor and feasibility (approach) - scored 1–9
    • Factor 3. Expertise and resources (investigators, environment) - not scored
  2. Reduce reputational bias by asking reviewers to access the adequacy of investigator experience and institutional resources with respect to the work proposed as a binary choice: (1) adequate/appropriate or (2) additional expertise/resources needed.
  3. “Additional considerations” will no longer be required of peer reviewers. Considerations not directly related to scientific merit will shift to NIH staff for review.

Additional resources/information about the upcoming changes are listed below:

Webinar Recording Available: Congruence Review (for Studies Involving Vertebrate Animals)

Congruence review is the process that ensures that the information in IACUC protocols is consistent with the application to be awarded. It is required prior to award. Did you miss this informative webinar hosted by the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) earlier this year? The resources are now available!

Information that Must be Disclosed in the NSF Current and Pending (Other) Support Document

In recent years, all federal agencies have increased their requirements for what must be disclosed when reporting current and pending support. Here is a list of items that must be included for NSF:

  1. All projects currently under consideration (including the current proposal) from whatever source, and all ongoing projects, irrespective of whether support is provided through the proposing organization, another organization, or directly to the individual, and regardless of whether or not they have monetary value (e.g., even if the support received are in-kind contributions such as office/laboratory space, equipment, supplies, or employees).
  2. In-kind contributions not intended for use on the project/proposal being proposed and have an associated time commitment.
  3. Current or pending participation in, or applications to, programs sponsored by foreign governments, instrumentalities, or entities, including foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs.
  4. Postdoctoral scholars, students, or visiting scholars who are supported by an external entity, whose research activities are not intended for use on the project/proposal being proposed and have an associated time commitment.
  5. Consulting that falls outside of an individual’s appointment/agreement.
  6. Travel supported/paid by an external entity to perform research activities with an associated time commitment.
  7. Startup company based on non-organization-licensed IP.
  8. Startup packages from other than the proposing organization.

For more information, NSF offers a disclosures table and FAQ on Current & Pending Support.

Hanover Research

Hanover Grants Calendar: Early Career, STEM Research, and Minority-Serving Institutions

As part of efforts to monitor the funding landscape and facilitate strategic planning, Hanover produces bimonthly Grants Calendars centered on certain funding interests. These calendars review upcoming grant opportunities focused on Early Career Research, STEM Research and Minority-Serving Institutions, covering a range of grantmakers. Short-term targets with set deadlines are included alongside longer-term opportunities projected to occur across the next year and beyond.

Hanover Watch On-Demand

Hanover has these additional resources:

University of Houston

Announcements

PeopleSoft Functions: Subaward Invoice

As part of the ongoing efforts to enhance operations, the Office of Contracts and Grants has expanded PeopleSoft functions to include the payment of subaward invoices.

Beginning July 1, the subaward invoice process is as follows:

  • OCG will receive invoices at subaward@central.uh.edu.
  • Invoices received will be assigned a Subaward Invoice function by OCG.
  • PIs will receive an email notification informing them of an invoice requiring their review and approval.
  • PIs will review and approve in their My Inbox within PeopleSoft Grants.
  • Once PI approval is complete, OCG will be notified and will initiate the voucher for payment.

These updates were covered in the recent Research Administration Forum. Watch this segment on SharePoint

Watch on SharePoint: July Research Administration Forum

The July Research Administration Forum features presentations on non-monetary agreements, monthly reconciliation of project expenditures, and a tour of the new UH Research SharePoint site.

New NSF Requirements on Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs

Effective May 20, 2024, the National Science Foundation requires all individuals designated as senior/key personnel to provide additional information and disclosures within proposal applications. Senior/key personnel will now need to certify that they are not a party to a malign foreign talent recruitment program.

A new Interim SAM (SAM 01.G.04) on Participation in Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs was approved on May 7, 2024. Read More

Watch: Getting Started with ORCID

Andrea Malone of UH Libraries walks you through the process of setting up your ORCID iD and adding works to your profile. Watch on SharePoint.

UH Libraries Can Help You with Research Data Management

UH Libraries offers a range of support for Research Data Management, archiving, and sharing:

  1. Guidance on data management planning for grant proposals or any research project.
  2. Assistance for sustained compliance with funder and university policies.
  3. Workshops and consultations for graduate students on collaborative work practices and strategies for handling data throughout research.
  4. An institutional data repository for archiving and sharing data and related content at no cost for up to 10 GB per project.

For more information about data management see: UH Libraries Data Management Resources.

Gulf Coast Consortium News

GCC Job Board

Looking for a postdoc or research position at a GCC member institution? The GCC Job Board currently lists several positions. The Job Board is where graduating Ph.D. students and postdocs from GCC institutions can post their resumes and search for jobs at GCC institutions.

To place a resume on the Job Board, register as a Job Seeker and enter the requested information. To place a job opening, register as a GCC Recruiter and enter the requested information. Anyone not from a GCC institution can register through Public Access and view job openings and resumes but cannot place anything on the Job Board.

Highlighted Core Technology of the Month: Flow Cytometry

Flow Cytometry Services, UT Health Science Center Houston
College of Pharmacy Core Lab, featuring a Flow Cytometer, University of Houston

Looking for a Particular Piece of Equipment?

Did you know that the GCC has a Shared Equipment and Resource Committee composed of the Directors/Leaders in equipment inventory and acquisition from each of the GCC institutions? If you are looking for a particular piece of equipment, please email Suzanne Tomlinson (smtomlin@rice.edu), and the committee members will work together to try to locate it and introduce you to the PI who owns/administers it. View GCC Shared Core Facilities

Upcoming Events

AI in Health Conference, Sept 9–12

The AI in Health Conference (plus Add-On Workshops) is an opportunity to connect with and learn from researchers, engineers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs at the forefront of AI in healthcare and public health. Sponsored by the Ken Kennedy Institute at Rice University, the program will address the current state of AI in health and showcase a research-based outlook on the next 10 years. Invited speakers include those from NIH’s All of Us Research Program, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, CPRIT, Georgia Tech, and Rice University among others. Conference Website

Location: Bioscience Research Collaborative. GCC is an ecosystem partner.
Register Now

Save the Date: Research Mentor Training Workshop for Faculty - via Zoom, Sept 17 & 24 (both dates = 1 workshop)

This Zoom workshop helps develop skills and insights in mentoring and provides interactions and discussions between mentors at different institutions and in different disciplines. Workshops will be conducted over two 3-hour sessions via Zoom and cover various aspects of mentoring young scientists in the lab. Participants benefit from case study and group discussions. Facilitators include Robert Tillman, Director of Faculty Development and Mentoring and Professional Development, BCM; Jane Grande-Allen, Associate Dean for Faculty Development, Rice. You must be able to attend both sessions.

Date/Time: Tue, Sept 17, and Tue, Sept 24, 12:00–3:00 pm (same time both days)
Registration opening soon.

Save the Date: GCC Single Cell Omics Symposium, Oct 16

Confirmed keynote presenters: Alexandrea-Chloe Villani, Harvard Univ., and Devin Lawson, Univ. of California, Irvine. More information can be found on the symposium website.

Call for Abstracts: Now Open, Submission Deadline: Sept 16, 11:59 pm

Save the Date: 34th Keck Annual Research Conference and Poster Session, Machine Learning and Computational Biology in Structure, Oct 25

Machine learning and computational methods are rapidly advancing in many areas of biomedical research. In this conference, leaders in the field will highlight how these state-of-the-art developments have changed structural biology. The conference and poster session will also highlight the outstanding research underway by predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees in the seven inter-institutional training programs administered by the GCC/Keck Center in the greater Houston area. Confirmed speakers: Alisia Fadini, Univ. of Cambridge; Lydia Kavraki, Rice Univ.; Andrej Sali, Univ. of California, San Francisco; and Jeremy Smith, Univ. of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 2024 Keck Conference co-chairs are Matthew Baker, Ph.D., UTHealth, and Monte Pettitt, Ph.D., UTMB.

Date: Fri, Oct 25
Location: Bioscience Research Collaborative
Conference website

Save the Date: Brown Bag Mentoring Refresher - Creating A Mentoring Plan, Nov 12

Designed for all faculty engaged in biomedical research. Understand what mentoring is/isn’t and how to align your mentoring with your institutional objectives. It is strongly recommended that attendees complete a full six-hour Mentor Training workshop or equivalent before participating (visit the GCC Research Mentor Training webpage for more information). Facilitator: Tracy Toliver-Kinsky, Ph.D., UTMB.

Date/Time: Tue, Nov 12, 12:00–1:00pm
Registration for upcoming sessions will be available soon.

Save the Date: Research Mentor Training Workshop for Faculty - In-person, Dec 6

This in-person, 6-hour, evidence-based workshop helps develop skills and insights in mentoring and provides interactions and discussions between mentors at different institutions and in different disciplines. Workshops cover various aspects of mentoring young scientists in the lab. Participants benefit from case study and group discussions. Facilitators include Sandra Haudek, Assoc Professor, BCM, Tracy Toliver-Kinsky, Assoc Dean for Recruitment - GSBS, UTMB; Vicki Alger, Training Administrator/Evaluator, GCC.

Date/Time: Fri, Dec 6, 9:30–3:30 pm.
Location: Bioscience Research Collaborative
Registration opening in the Fall.