The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released memorandum M-20-17,"Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations").  Each federal sponsoring agency must implement this memorandum and provide relevant guidance for UMBC grant-supported activities affected by COVID-19. 

The following information is a summary of many federal agency guidelines for select expenditures.  As the COVID-19 emergency continues to evolve, please review each sponsor’s specific guidance to ensure you are properly charging awards.  The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) has one of the most comprehensive sites for COVID-19 resources (https://www.cogr.edu/institutional-and-agency-responses-covid-19-and-additional-resources) with links to many federal agency specific guidance on federal award impact.

Salaries:

Many researchers and staff may be unable to work as a result of, or related to, the effects of COVID-19. If a recipient organization's policy allows for the charging of salaries and benefits during periods when no work is performed due to the effect of COVID-19, regardless of the funding source, including federal and non-federal, then such charges to grant awards will be allowable.

Note: Awarding agencies and/or auditors from the Office of Inspector General may request documentation to confirm the requirements of institutional policies. UMBC Updated Guidance on Remote Work and Leave provided by Human Resources supports administrative leave to be charged to awards.

Stipends:

Institutions affected by COVID-19 may continue to provide stipend payments to fellows and trainees who may be unable to work as a result of, or related to, COVID-19.  Recipients should notify the assigned grants management official and provide documentation demonstrating the effect of COVID-19 and how long the institution will be affected.

Travel:

Non-refundable costs associated with grant-related travel that has been canceled due to COVID-19 may be charged to an award if they would have otherwise been allowable.

Conference Registration Fees:

Non-refundable registration fees for conferences, symposiums, or seminars that have been canceled due to COVID19 may be charged to the award if they would have otherwise been allowable (e.g., necessary to accomplish program objectives).

Federal Agency-Supported Meetings and Conferences:

Scientific meetings, conferences, and workshops supported by federal funding may be delayed or canceled due to COVID-19. Non-refundable costs associated with federal supported meetings and conferences affected by COVID-19 are allowable and may be requested as an administrative supplement to the appropriate funding agency. Recipients should contact their assigned grants management specialist and program official to provide documentation demonstrating the effect of COVID-19. The funding agency will work with the recipient to address the impact on the grant.

Please be mindful of the following for any costs charged to a sponsored award during the COVID-19 crisis:

·       Recipients should not assume supplemental funding will be available should the costs incurred result in a shortage of funds to eventually carry out the project.

·       Recipients must maintain appropriate records and cost documentation to substantiate the charge for any cancellation or other fees related to interruption of operations or services.  Documentation should notate that the expense was incurred as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

Reminder: Changes to Forms and Instructions for Research Training Grant, Fellowship, and Career Development Award Applications for Applications Due on or After May 25, 2020

Notice Number: NOT-OD-20-090

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-20-090.html

This is a reminder notice from NIH regarding changes to the forms and instructions for Research Training Grant, Fellowship and Career Development Award Applications (Forms-F Application Guide) for applications due on or after May 25, 2020. 

Please refer to the table below for the type of application and the applicable changes. 

For additional information on Forms-F Application Guides, Application Packages, and other resources, see NOT-OD-20-077.

Please contact OSP should you have any questions.

In order to allow for tracking of proposals and awards related to COVID-19, OSP will utilize the keyword field in Kuali.  The keyword COVID-19 has been established in the keyword drop down in proposal development. For any COVID related proposals please go to the keyword drop down and select COVID-19 (see screenshot below).  Specifically as shown below, when creating a proposal, on the 1st page, complete all 7 key fields, Press Save and Continue. On the next screen, you will now see the Keyword field. All you must do is select COVID-19. Please also continue entering at the beginning of all titles as that makes it more quickly apparent when processing.  By adding the keyword, it will ensure easy selection for reporting even if there were to be a typo in the title.

If you have any questions, please contact your OSP Manager.

In order to allow for tracking of proposals and awards related to COVID-19, OSP will utilize the keyword field in Kuali.  The keyword COVID-19 has been established in the keyword drop down in proposal development. For any COVID related proposals please go to the keyword drop down and select COVID-19 (see screenshot below).  Specifically as shown below, when creating a proposal, on the 1^st page, complete all 7 key fields, Press Save and Continue. On the next screen, you will now see the Keyword field. All you must do is select COVID-19. Please also continue entering at the beginning of all titles as that makes it more quickly apparent when processing.  By adding the keyword, it will ensure easy selection for reporting even if there were to be a typo in the title.

If you have any questions, please contact your OSP team.

Thank you

eRA Enhancement: Two-Factor Authentication Login Option Coming to eRA Modules

Available today, April 8, 2020, eRA has moved to a two-factor authentication login to access eRA Commons, Commons Mobile, ASSIST and IAR. 

eRA’s move to two-factor authentication via login.gov is part of HHS’ Reinvent Grants Management Initiative to provide the applicant and grantee community the ability to log in to four different grants systems (eRA, Grants.gov, GrantSolutions.gov and Payment Management System) using the same account via login.gov. Two-factor authentication will help ensure the security of your personal information.

Note that use of login.gov is currently optional and you may continue to log in using your eRA Commons credentials or federated account credentials if you prefer. 

If you do not have a login.gov account, you will need to create a login.gov account and then associate it to your existing eRA Commons account in a one-time process (see graphic below). If you already have a login.gov account, skip Step 2.

Resources

• Web page: Two-Factor Authentication: Accessing eRA Modules via login.gov
• Two-factor authentication video tutorials:
• Two-Factor Authentication: Accessing eRA Modules via login.gov
• What to Do If You Already Have a login.gov Account
• What to Do If You Want to Switch to a Different login.gov Account
• One-page flyer
• Two-Factor Authentication FAQs
• eRA Commons Online Help
• ASSIST Online Help

Should you require assistance, please contact electronic Research Administration (eRA) - NIH Office of Extramural Research using the following methods:

Submit a web ticket; or call Toll-free: 1-866-504-9552, Phone: 301-402-7469. The Service Desk hours are Mon-Fri, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

The Center for Social Science Scholarship invites applications for Faculty Working Groups to promote intellectual exchange in the social sciences and across campus. These collaborative scholarly learning communities will meet regularly to engage in such activities as: working on research projects, reading key literature, exploring new methodological approaches, and/or engaging in matters of public interest related to the social sciences.

Up to four Faculty Working Groups will be selected by the center director and advisory board members. Groups should be faculty-led and must include at least one faculty member from a social science department at UMBC. Additional priority will be given to groups whose members and/or areas of interest are multi- or interdisciplinary. Advanced graduate students may participate as Faculty Working Group members but may not serve as leaders.

Faculty Working Groups can apply for up to $1,000 in annual support ($500 per semester); groups will also be able to apply for continuation funding. Groups may use funds for such items as: supporting regular group meetings; purchasing software, books, or other materials; hosting external speakers; creating scholarly resources; traveling to external sites for research or public engagement purposes; and other similar activities. A brief report of the group’s activities will be due at the end of the funding period.

Apply by May 30, 2020, for groups to begin in Fall 2020.

Click on the attached file to download the application form. 

Applications should be submitted via email to socialscience@umbc.edu. Questions may be directed to Christine Mallinson, Director of the Center for Social Science Scholarship.