October 2020

Bi-Monthly Email Newsletter                          

• 3TS: T32 Trainee Tracking Program
• SSP: Special Strategic Projects
• RAP: Resource Allocation Program
• LSP: Limited Submission Program
• LGDP: Large Grant Development Program
• TSP: Team Science Program
• RDO Updates and Outreach Activities

3TS: T32 Trainee Tracking Program

T32 NIH Updates from the T32 Trainee Tracking (3TS) Program

• The NIH requires the use of xTRACT for T32 Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) submissions. There has not been any word on when they plan on extending the requirement to competitive renewals. Due to some programming updates made to xTRACT, data entry continues to be a lengthy process. In addition, the 3TS program has notified the NIH regarding limitations xTRACT has in the trainee subsequent support summary reporting mechanism.
• In March 2020 the NIH released updated instructions for data table. The changes were to Tables 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8 for T32 applications.
• The 3TS program continues to offer support to programs with transferring RPPR data into the xTRACT module. All programs interested in assistance are encouraged to contact Halima Mohammed Todd three months before the RPPR is due for submission. For additional information on RPPR due dates please contact Research Management Services (RMS) or log into eRA Commons.
• New feature to NIGMS T32 Funding Opportunity: All submissions are considered new (Type 1) applications, and there will be no renewal (Type 2) applications received under the new FOA. If you have additional questions, contact RMS.
• Upcoming due date for T32 Renewal Applications: January 25, 2021
  Applicants should check with the relevant Institute or Center (IC), since some do not accept T series applications for all three receipt/review/award cycles.
• For an online library of successful training grant proposals and resources, please visit the Training Grants RDO Guides page.

The 3TS program will continue to post information regarding NIH training grant notifications on the T32 Administrators Group Chatter page on the Chatter page. To join the group send an email request to Halima Mohammed Todd or contact Halima through the link on the T32 Administrators Group Chatter page.

We are here to support and guide you through your T32 grants submissions process. Contact Halima Mohammed Todd if you have questions.

SSP: Special Strategic Projects
Marcus Program in Precision Medicine Innovation (MPPMI)

The RDO is excited to announce the 4^th annual Marcus Program in Precision Medicine Innovation (MPPMI) seeks to fuel innovation in precision medicine by fostering creative, high risk, high impact team science projects supporting the precision medicine continuum. Precision medicine aims to harness vast amounts of biological and biomedical data – from basic molecular research to clinical, environmental, socioeconomic and mobile lifestyle data – and use it to define biological processes and disease mechanisms, to understand why different individuals respond differently to treatments, and to help guide more precise, predictive and preventative medicine. MPPMI invites proposals for our 2020 funding in three award categories, Seeding Bold Ideas, Transformative Integrated Research, and ELSI in Precision Medicine. We’ve also introduced a modest supplement initiative with the program to support diversity and inclusion in these research efforts. These relatively short proposals are due Wednesday, November 25^th (before Thanksgiving). Please check out the RFA and the background details here.

COVID-19 Related Research Website - Check it out!

The RDO led the effort, sponsored by the UCSF Office of Research and research stakeholders, to develop a new website to serve as a clearinghouse for COVID-19 related research matters. The site - covidresearch.ucsf.edu - is a compendium of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 research projects to encourage campus collaboration and provide a central source for resources and funding opportunities. It is designed to enable the UCSF research community to find all of the information they need to build connections, find funding, and generate new knowledge during this critical time.

We are continuing optimization of this website with the oversight of the newly established COVID-19 Research Coordination Task Force.

RAP: Resource Allocation Program

RAP Spring 2020 Cycle – Application Review Currently Underway

RAP received a total of 208 proposals for the Fall 2020 cycle. Of these, 53 were submitted for independent review. The Independent Review programs include Catalyst, Environmental Health Research Pilot Award (new), UCSF Diabetes Research Center (DRC) Pilot and Feasibility Award, and the UCSF Nutrition and Obesity Research Center (NORC) Pilot and Feasibility Awards. The remaining 155 applications will be assigned to one of the 11 RAP review committees based on research topic. Written reviews, final scores and funding results will be electronically sent to all applicants before the Winter 2020 break begins.

The next RAP Funding Cycle will launch in January 2021. The deadline will be at the beginning of March (exact date to be determined).

Key RAP Web Resources and steps to review before applying for grant:

• Homepage presents the deadlines, “How RAP Works”, Application Steps and new funding opportunities
• Identify the grant that is best for you at "Determine Eligibility & Compare Grants".
• Eligibility requirements need to be met as of date of submission, no waivers allowed.
• Review the Submission Rules.
• “Resources” offer: previous cycle statistics, past awardees, success stories, and more.

Reviewer Acknowledgement

We are grateful for the service that each of the expert faculty reviewers provides for RAP every cycle. An acknowledgement letter crediting a reviewer’s service and contribution to the University is available for download via the reviewer’s dashboard.

RAP welcomes new partnerships with on-campus programs interested in leveraging the RAP grant competition model. A single online application allows one to submit to any grant mechanism offered each cycle. Submitted applications are reviewed by standing committees comprised of leading faculty expert volunteers in a given medical research field. Applicants are reminded that their aim should be on selecting a suitable grant mechanism rather than a funding agency. The funding agency selects the awardees.

LSP: Limited Submission Program
Current LSOs of note:

Upcoming LSOs:

Please see below for some limited submission opportunities (LSOs) we expect to announce over the next few months. Mark your calendars accordingly!

** Please note: These LSOs are typically offered the same time each year. Both the availability and eligibility requirements noted are approximate and subject to change. **
Important Links: More information about the LSP & Current LSO listings: rdo.ucsf.edu/LSP.

LGDP: Large Grant Development Program

The LGDP Manager, has left the RDO and the program will be on a significantly restricted availability until a replacement is found. Nevertheless, if you have need in this arena, please contact [email protected].

Despite this staffing constraint, from July to September, the LGDP has lent support to the development of proposals for several proposals, including NIAID U19 Tuberculosis Research Units - TBRU-CINCO (California INdia Consortium on Outcome heterogeneity) (Ernst) and NHGRI U01 Mendelian Genomics Research Centers - Transforming Mendelian Gene Discovery Through Scalable Functional Genomics and Comprehensive Data Sharing (Kwok, Slavotinek, Norton, Klein, Koenig).

TSP: Team Science Program

The TSP develops and facilitates intra- and inter-campus networking events, enabling participating researchers to meet investigators outside their usual circle of collaborators and to brainstorm new research ideas or expand the aims of their current work.

If you manage a UCSF group with a mission that includes team building activities or you would like to add such activities to a new grant or renewal, get in touch with Gretchen Kiser.

RDO Updates and Outreach Activities

Would you like to inform your faculty of the menu of services and resources available through the RDO?
We are looking for opportunities to speak to groups of faculty to inform them of the programs and resources available through the RDO. Please contact us at [email protected] if you think you could open a time slot for us to speak at your next faculty meeting.

RDO Events Calendar
We’ve just started listing our various events on the UCSF Calendar. Check it out!

Research Development Internship Opportunity
Are you a graduate student or post-doc looking to explore a different career path for PhDs? Contact Gretchen Kiser [email protected] in the RDO for information about an internship in research development.

National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP)
Do you facilitate research team interactions? Or do you help prepare large grant proposals? Do you manage programs that benefit a large cadre of research faculty? Or are you a researcher who now focuses on research administrative functions? If so, then you are likely doing work associated with the emerging field of research development. If these descriptions strike a chord with you, the UCSF RDO encourages you to check out National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP).

UCSF RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
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