January 2019

Dear Colleagues:

As we begin the new year with a partial government shutdown, I praise the significant efforts of the Office of Sponsored Research and Contracts and Grants Accounting in the Controller's Office, who diligently engaged with federal agencies early on to ensure that UCSF’s financial position would be protected in 2019. The shutdown is being monitored UC-wide and all UC vice chancellors of research are alert to the situation.

In addition, as described in our first hot topic below, the Research Space Working Group (RSWG) has made recommendations about the future of the Parnassus research campus. More details on this and other stories are below. Thank you for reading.

Regards,
Vice Chancellor Lindsey Criswell

Research Space Working Group Shares Final Report and Recommendations

In a presentation of their 2018 final report to the Parnassus Master Plan Steering Committee, the Research Space Working Group (RSWG) proposed an expansion and transformation of the Parnassus research campus to meet current and anticipated program needs. Recommendations included new research buildings, renovation and integration of existing space, new bench lab research space infrastructure, and clinical research space. The Steering Committee was particularly impressed with the rigorous and data-driven approach of the RSWG. Tamara Alliston, PhD and John Fahy, MD are the co-chairs for the RSWG, an inter-school and multi-department effort. The presentation slide deck can be accessed here.

Proactive Response to Partial Government Shutdown Protects UCSF in 2019

The partial federal government shutdown that took effect 9:00 PM PST on December 21, affected the National Science Foundation, Food and Drug Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Indian Health Service, and Environmental Protection Agency, among others. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (including the National Institutes of Health), which provides significant funding to UCSF, is not affected by the shutdown. The U.S. Department of Defense agencies are also not affected.

Since the shutdown took effect, the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) provided information to the campus through their email communication OSR Announce and the OSR public website. Contracts and Grants Accounting (CGA) protected the UCSF’s financial position by requesting reimbursement for all grants from the affected agencies prior to the shutdown. They have also been working with the departments to ensure that advances are provided for any awards where decisions have been delayed due to the shutdown.

OSR and CGA are continuing to monitor communications received from federal sponsors in order to respond to any shutdown-related activities and relay communications to the campus research community. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Sponsored Research or MC Gaisbauer, assistant controller, Contracts and Grants Accounting.

Research Development Office Grant Templates and Guides

Did you know that all UCSF staff and faculty have access to a library of grant template text managed by the UCSF Research Development Office (RDO)? I strongly encourage you to explore this terrific resource. Highlights include:

  • Descriptions of UCSF facilities and resources. Find a general blurb on UCSF, clinical facilities, or computational resources, and much more.
  • Instructions and templates for all the attachments in the (relatively) new NIH Human Subjects and Clinical Trials form, including the Single IRB plan (co-authored by HRPP’s Laurie Herraiz).
  • Information and resources related to NIH Diversity Supplements, which provide funding for trainees and faculty to work on an existing NIH-funded project in a particular area of interest.

Research-Related Resources (3Rs) Symposium Success

Last month, the RDO hosted the inaugural Research-Related Resources (3Rs) Symposium. The event targeted all UCSF faculty (especially those new to campus in the last three years) and highlighted 23 UCSF units that provide research-related services and resources. Each unit gave a concise presentation of their services/resource, helpful tips, and contact information, and also met with attendees through tabling for one-on-one interactions. We saw over 100 faculty participants and many commented that this was a valuable event. The presentation slide decks are available, a recording of the entire event is forthcoming, and we are already planning for next year’s symposium!

Upcoming Events:

Highlighted Funding Opportunities:

  • Pivot Funding Opportunities Database – Pivot allows researchers to search funding opportunities, save results, set automated funding alerts, and identify potential collaborators. It is one of the most comprehensive searchable funding opportunities databases available and free to all UCSF faculty, staff, trainees, and students.
  • Limited Submission Opportunities – Limited submission opportunities (LSOs) are extramural funding opportunities that limit the number of applications that UCSF may put forward to a given sponsor or that require internal coordination. The calendar of recurring and current LSOs is available on the Research Development Office website.
  • Resource Allocation Program – The Resource Allocation Program is gearing up for its spring 2019 cycle: the call for applications opens on January 28 and the deadline to submit applications is March 11.
  • National Science Foundation Mid-Scale Research Infrastructure Solicitation – This is a new opportunity with $60 million total funding for the program. Proposed projects must directly enable advances in STEM education research in one or more domains supported by NSF. Preliminary proposals due February 19.
  • Kudos! Institutional Matching Instrumentation Awards – On behalf of the Research Resource Program’s Strategic Advisory Committee and the EVCP’s office, we are pleased to announce that four Campus Cores have been awarded Institutional Matching Instrumentation Awards: Center for Advanced Technology, Human Imaging Core Services, Preclinical Imaging Core, and Parnassus Flow Cytometry Core.

Infrastructure and Operations:

  • New Chemical Safety Policy – The updated Chemical Safety Policy was recently posted on the UCSF policies website. For UCSF laboratories, the policy covers training requirements, hazard communication, standard operating procedures, storage, waste, security, transportation, and other aspects of safe and compliant chemical use.
  • New Workplace Safety and Environmental Protection – The updated Workplace Safety and Environmental Protection policy was recently posted on the UCSF policies website. This broadly applicable policy addresses responsibilities for ensuring a safe and compliant workplace, including reporting hazards, and interfacing with regulatory agencies.
  • New Consent Form Templates – All federally-funded and federally-conducted studies must use the new Informed Consent Form templates starting January 21. These templates are appropriate for studies that require expedited or full committee review.
  • Full Access to Journal Articles during January – UC and Elsevier have agreed to extend the UC’s access to Elsevier journals through January 2019 in a good-faith effort to conclude negotiations by January 31.
  • ULT Freezer Rebate: Save up to $6,000! – Need a new freezer or want to upgrade your existing freezer? The Office of Sustainability is offering $2k - $5k rebates on Energy Star ULT freezers, with a bonus $1k for seismic bracing. Offers are available to most UCSF sites, while funds last. Email [email protected].

Training and Tools:

  • IACUC Office Hours at Parnassus and Mission Bay – Are you your lab's IACUC protocol writer? Do you need technical advice on animal procedures? Check the IACUC website for our upcoming weekly office hours.
  • Clinical Research Coordinator Trainings – CRC training courses offered on February 5 and 7: Bootcamp, Pre & Post-Award Tasks, and the Investigational New Drug (IND) Process. Bootcamp is targeted at new CRCs while Pre & Post Award and IND courses are applicable to new and existing CRCs.
  • Learning Health System (LHS) K12 Career Development Program – This program supports the career development of scientists at UCSF/affiliates conducting patient-centered outcomes research within learning health systems to accelerate the translation of research and evidence into practice. Apply by February 11.
  • IMPACT K12 Career Development Program – The IMPACT K12 career development award is accepting applications. IMPACT (IMplementation Science for Pulmonary and Cardiac Research Training) trains junior faculty in the science of improving the delivery of interventions proven to improve heart and lung health. Apply by February 11.
  • CTSI TL1 Postdoctoral Fellowship – The CTSI TL1 postdoctoral fellowship seeks to train exceptional postdoctoral fellows and provide them with the methodologic, analytic, leadership, and team science skills required to conduct transformative early translational research. Apply by February 18.
  • CTSI Mentor Training Program – A comprehensive program designed to train faculty to be effective mentors consisting of modules that provide core mentoring competencies. Complete information available on the Mentor Training Program website. Apply by March 1.
  • Master’s Degree Program in Clinical Research – A two-year course of study intended for scholars who wish to master clinical and epidemiologic research methods and pursue independent careers in clinical and epidemiologic research. Apply by March 18.
  • Advanced Training in Clinical Research Certificate Program – A four academic quarter (Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring) program providing detailed instruction in the methods of clinical and epidemiologic research and ongoing methodologic guidance as scholars begin to implement their research. Apply by May 13.
  • LivingGreen Lab Certification – UC policy encourages greener labs, and you can do this with the LivingGreen Certification! Help the environment while advancing health research, get recognized by the Chancellor, and more! Email [email protected].

Useful Links

  • Bakar ImmunoX – Infrastructure for sharing technology and findings across fields, disciplines, and geographies via a series of CoLabs and CoProjects.
  • CTSI – Programs, services, and training for research spanning from early translational research to community engagement.
  • HRPP – IRB, Quality Improvement Unit (QIU), and GESCR updates and resources.
  • Innovation Ventures – Expertise and resources to transform innovation into impact and translate scientific discoveries for public use and benefit.
  • MATLAB – A computational platform for engineering, scientific, and mathematic applications.
  • NIH Updates – Updates on policies, resources, and guide notices relevant to UCSF researchers.
  • RAB – An advisory forum promoting dialogue between UCSF leadership and the research community.
  • RAP – An intramural grant program that provides coordinated, collaborative effort among UCSF funding opportunities.
  • RDO – Services and resources for UCSF research development.
  • RRP – Support and services for cores and shared resource laboratories.
  • Sustainability – Discounts and programs to help researchers save money and be sustainable