The National Science Board (NSB) is inviting comments from principal investigators with federally funded projects on reducing the administrative workload associated with applying for and managing these projects.  Two surveys conducted over the last 7 years indicate that complying with these administrative requirements consumes approximately 42 percent of an investigator’s time.  The NSB is interested in identifying areas where improvements can be made.

The survey consists of nine (9) questions that ask investigators to identify those requirements that cause the most amount of administrative work in the areas of proposal development, compliance (e.g. human subjects/animal care and use/finances/conflict of interest), and subcontracting.  Investigators are also asked to identify the source of the administrative requirements – home institution, collaborating institution, federal government, or duplication among funding agencies.  Additionally, investigators are asked to provide their academic rank and discipline and institution type.

The Federal Register notice with the specific questions is included here. Responses should be emailed to:  Administrative-Reform@nsf.gov and will be accepted through May 24, 2013.

In addition, Georgia Tech will host a National Science Board (NSB) Taskforce Roundtable Discussion on the question of regulatory burden. 

·         When: Wednesday, May 1, 2013, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.               

·         Location: Global Learning Center, Room 235, 84 5th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308

This session has limited seating and a confirmed registration is required.  Please RSVP to Administrative-Reform-Inquiries@nsf.gov before April 24, 2013.

Our next Pre-Award meeting will be held on May 7, 2013 at 9:30am.  We will be in room 242 of the Life Sciences Facility.  If you have any topics you would like to discuss at this meeting, please email Mandy McCaslan before May 3 at 4:30pm. 

Once again,  NIH is offering a Regional Seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration. These seminars are intended to help demystify the application and review process, clarify Federal regulations and policies, and highlight current areas of special interest or concern. NIH policy, grants management, review and program staff provide a broad array of expertise and encourage personal interaction between themselves and seminar participants. The seminars are appropriate for grants administrators, researchers new to NIH, and graduate students.  The next seminar is scheduled for June 26-28, 2013 in Baltimore, MD.  This is the only regional seminar to be held this year.   Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged.

This initiative is a public-private venture of the Obama Admininstration to better understand how we think, learn and remember.  We expect there to be funding opportunities for faculty in all of Clemson’s colleges. The initiative will also include opportunities to partner with industry and other private organizations.  Federal agencies such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are expected to issue Requests for Proposals to fund specific areas of research through this initiative.   In order to be prepared to respond to these RFPs, OSP is maintaining a list of faculty who are interested in the Brain Initiative.  If you would like to be added to this list, please contact OSP at 656-2424.

The Office of Sponsored Programs has recently updated its Grant Administrator Assignments.  Please note the following changes:

·         USDA - Bettie McGowan-Hudson

·         Department of Commerce - Bettie McGowan-Hudson

·         Department of Labor - Bettie McGowan-Hudson

·         Department of Interior - Bettie McGowan-Hudson

The Office of Sponsored Programs is updating its forms and templates page, to reflect the life cycle of an award.  Our pre-award forms have been updated with a new form set providing a uniform appearance  that clearly signifies Clemson University’s identity and ensures that the most current compliance and policy considerations are reflected. In addition, agreement templates (NDA, MTA and Sponsored Research Agreement) are under revision and have been removed from the site.  If you are in need of a MTA, NDA or Sponsored Research Agreement, please contact the Office of Sponsored Programs. Please use the new forms effective April 18, 2013.  If you have any questions, you may contact the Office of Sponsored Programs at 656-2424.

If you are interested in applying for EPA grants or are currently managing an EPA grant, please consider attending the upcoming webinar.

Wednesday May 1st, 2013 2pm ET

How to Register:
Please visit the registration page and follow the instructions.

Webinar Details:
EPA's Office of Grants and Debarment hosts periodic webinars for the EPA grants community. The webinars cover grants management topics, including: how to find and apply for grant opportunities; new FFATA reporting requirements; and preparing a proper budget detail. In addition, we hosting a Q&A session during the second half of the webinar. If you have questions about the please email january.elizabeth@epa.gov with "Webinar" in the subject line.

Director of Sponsored Programs, Sheila Lischwe, has been delegated signature authority by President Barker. 

·         April 18th, 10:00am NIH Public Access Policy Training, 132 Fluor Daniel.