Session 1: Predatory Conferences & Academic Paper Mills
Thursday, September 18 at noon
● How to spot and avoid traps that could damage your professional standing
● Why recognizing unscrupulous academic platforms matters now more than ever
● Who to contact at UMBC with concerns about a possible predatory conference or paper mill
The Office of Research Protections and Compliances Department of Animal Welfare and Assurance (DAWA) will have office hours from 7:00am- 12:00pm on Wednesdays in the ILSB room 051B. During office hours, we are more than happy to discuss KUALI with PIs, required trainings and all aspects of your IACUC protocols. If you are unable to meet with us during our office hours, please do not hesitate to reach out for us to schedule a time to meet.
]]>Preview of NIH Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support Coming Soon to SciENcv
Notice Number: NOT-OD-25-152
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-152.html
Purpose:
This Guide Notice informs the extramural community that NIH plans to launch preview versions of the NIH Common Forms within Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv). Users should be able to access these preview versions of the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Forms and the NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement (along with the corresponding instructions) on or before September 15, 2025.
These preview documents will allow users to save, reopen, and edit the preview forms in the SciENcv module. However, the download PDF functionality will be disabled, and the form(s) and data entered into the preview versions will be deleted and no longer accessible once the official NIH Common Forms become available for preparation and submission, anticipated November 2025.
These preview forms are an opportunity for users to preview the new system functionality and new instructions. These are not the final official versions, and NIH is not seeking any feedback or testing from external users.Please refer to the full notice linked above for further details.
Resources
Preview versions of the NIH Common Form instructions can be found in the NIH Forms Directory
Users can find information on SciENcv in the My NCBI Help of the NCBI Bookshelf.
Additional resources will be posted on the pages above as they become available.
Please refer to the full notice linked above for further details.
Should you have any questions, please contact the Office of Sponsored Programs.
]]>New Federal Research Security (RS) Training Requirement
Several federal agencies have taken steps to implement the Research Security (RS) training required out of NSPM-33 and the Chips and Science Act.
All key personnel on projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) must now complete federally mandated research security training to strengthen the integrity and protection of U.S. funded research. Further, NIH issued NOT-OD-25-1255 which states all Senior/Key Personnel must complete research security training within 12 months of a proposed submission to be eligible for an (NIH) award. It is anticipated that all federal grant funding agencies will soon include research security training requirements. Therefore, UMBC is requiring all key personnel on federally funded (direct or flow through) sponsored proposals and awards to complete this training.
How to Complete the Training:
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must complete RS Training?
Anyone who is key on any federal proposal or award.
We are also recommending the training for anyone working on any sponsored award, as well as the RCA administrative community.
Please note, we do expect RS training requirements to expand, as federal and non-federal agencies follow NIH, NSF, DOD and DOE.
Why is RS training required?
Stemming from administrative direction provided to agencies via NSPM-33 and the Chips and Science Act, multiple federal agencies (NSF, DOE, NIH and DOD) have issued mandatory security training. It is anticipated that all federal agencies and non-federal sponsors will be issuing similar requirements.
When must RS training be completed?
As of 10/1/25 OSP will not submit a proposal or issue any award modification without the training completed. OSP will attempt to provide any flexibility allowed by the sponsor throughout 2025.
Each agency is implementing a bit differently. NSF and DOE require this training to be completed at the proposal stage, NIH requires as Just in Time, or award stage. As such, we are requiring the training at the proposal stage for all sponsors.
Training renewals will be required every three (3) years. (Note: We are still verifying if NIH is requiring an annual renewal).
How long will it take me to complete the RS training?
CITI estimates the training will take about an hour.
How is the RS training being tracked?
The training is capture as part of your CITI training portfolio. It is also fed into Kuali where it will be attached to your Personal record in Kuali where all of your other RCA training is captured. At the proposal stage, your unit Administrative team will be able to confirm the training has been completed for anyone named on a proposal. OSP is required to officially certify the training is completed when the proposal is submitted. Your Administrative support will also be required to verify training when any key or named individuals are added to an award. It is critical that you utilize your UMBC login credentials to access the CITI training modules. Otherwise, your training will not feed to Kuali.
I am on a Technology Control Plan (TCP) that required me to take Export Control Training. Is that the same?
Unfortunately, it is not the same. Export Control Training does not cover all the topics associated with Research Security Training. Export Control is a component of Research Security.
I have taken PIRATE, does that satisfy as meeting the RS training requirement?
Not yet. We are working with CITI to move PIRATE from Blackboard to CITI. Once it has been moved, we are creating a link to the required RS training.
I have taken RCR training, does that satisfy as meeting the RS training requirement?
No. The RCR RS training is simply a short overview, but it does not cover the all the topics required by the federal agencies.
Who can I contact if I have additional questions about this training requirement?
ORPC at researchintegrity@umbc.edu
This new training requirement will be discussed at the September 12, 2025 RCAC meeting, which will be held from 11-1pm in PHYS 401, Faculty are welcome to attend.
This training will also be discussed during the September 17, 2025 ERAG for administrative staff, which will be held via Webex from 9:30am to 11:00am.
Workshop Overview: This workshop covers the topic of research misconduct and policies for handling such misconduct. It ensures that researchers are aware of what constitutes misconduct, including fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism, and understand the procedures for reporting and addressing these issues.
RSVPs recommended but not required. Attendance is taken at the event by scanning a QR code. Attendees more than 10 minutes late will not be allowed to receive credit for the micro credential.
A full syllabus of the RCR Microcredential Workshop Series offerings for Fall 2025 can be found here, as well as a list of readings and case studies for each session. Questions can be sent to rcr@umbc.edu.
More about the RCR Microcredential Series: Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training is required for all doctoral students, master’s thesis students, and postdoctoral scholars on campus, but benefits all who are engaged with the research process. While UMBC continues to have online, self-paced CITI training that most may use to complete RCR, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) mandates that all personnel funded on their grants complete in-person, discussion-based RCR training across certain topics. This microcredential workshop serves as an option to complete that in-person, discussion-based training for one topic. Graduate students and postdocs who are not NIH funded may use online CITI training OR this set of microcredentials to satisfy their UMBC RCR requirement. If you have a question about your RCR requirement, please ask your research supervisor or contact rcr@umbc.edu.
New Federal Research Security (RS) Training Requirement
Several federal agencies have taken steps to implement the Research Security (RS) training required out of NSPM-33 and the Chips and Science Act.
All key personnel on projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) must now complete federally mandated research security training to strengthen the integrity and protection of U.S. funded research. Further, NIH issued NOT-OD-25-1255 which states all Senior/Key Personnel must complete research security training within 12 months of a proposed submission to be eligible for an (NIH) award. It is anticipated that all federal grant funding agencies will soon include research security training requirements. Therefore, UMBC is requiring all key personnel on federally funded (direct or flow through) sponsored proposals and awards to complete this training.
How to Complete the Training:
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must complete RS Training?
Anyone who is key on any federal proposal or award.
We are also recommending the training for anyone working on any sponsored award, as well as the RCA administrative community.
Please note, we do expect RS training requirements to expand, as federal and non-federal agencies follow NIH, NSF, DOD and DOE.
Why is RS training required?
Stemming from administrative direction provided to agencies via NSPM-33 and the Chips and Science Act, multiple federal agencies (NSF, DOE, NIH and DOD) have issued mandatory security training. It is anticipated that all federal agencies and non-federal sponsors will be issuing similar requirements.
When must RS training be completed?
As of 10/1/25 OSP will not submit a proposal or issue any award modification without the training completed. OSP will attempt to provide any flexibility allowed by the sponsor throughout 2025.
Each agency is implementing a bit differently. NSF and DOE require this training to be completed at the proposal stage, NIH requires as Just in Time, or award stage. As such, we are requiring the training at the proposal stage for all sponsors.
Training renewals will be required every three (3) years. (Note: We are still verifying if NIH is requiring an annual renewal).
How long will it take me to complete the RS training?
CITI estimates the training will take about 60 to 90 minutes.
How is the RS training being tracked?
The training is capture as part of your CITI training portfolio. It is also fed into Kuali where it will be attached to your Personal record in Kuali where all of your other RCA training is captured. At the proposal stage, your unit administrative team will be able to confirm the training has been completed for anyone named on a proposal. OSP is required to officially certify the training is completed when the proposal is submitted. Your administrative support will also be required to verify training when any key or named individuals are added to an award. It is critical that you utilize your UMBC login credentials to access the CITI training modules. Otherwise, your training will not feed to Kuali.
I am on a Technology Control Plan (TCP) that required me to take Export Control Training. Is that the same?
Unfortunately, it is not the same. Export Control Training does not cover all the topics associated with Research Security Training. Export Control is a component of Research Security.
I have taken PIRATE, does that satisfy as meeting the RS training requirement?
Not yet. We are working with CITI to move PIRATE from Blackboard to CITI. Once it has been moved, we are creating a link to the required RS training.
I have taken RCR training, does that satisfy as meeting the RS training requirement?
No. The RCR RS training is simply a short overview, but it does not cover the all the topics required by the federal agencies.
Who can I contact if I have additional questions about this training requirement?
ORPC at researchintegrity@umbc.edu
This new training requirement will be discussed at the September 12, 2025 RCAC meeting, which will be held from 11-1pm in PHYS 401, Faculty are welcome to attend.
This training will also be discussed during the September 17, 2025 ERAG for administrative staff, which will be held via Webex from 9:30am to 11:00am.
Time sensitive! UM-BILD is accepting letters of intent through Sept. 12.
Investigators working on technologies in the therapeutic, medical device, diagnostic, and digital health areas are encouraged to apply for funding.
Selected projects will receive up to $75,000 in funding for a 12-month period.
To learn more, please visit the How to Apply page of UM-BILD’s website or email UM-BILD@umaryland.edu. The electronic submission portal for LOIs opened Aug. 1, 2025, and will close at 5 p.m. EDT on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. All submissions will be reviewed by the UM-BILD administrative team.
In early October 2025, the top-ranked project teams will be invited to submit full applications. Full applications should be routed through the investigator’s departmental business managers and the Office of Sponsored Programs via Kuali. Final applications will be due by Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, and award recipients will be announced in March 2026.
Selected projects will begin work in May 2026, with the funding period running through April 2027.
UM-BILD expects to fund eight Cohort 3 Pilot Grants, with principal investigators based at UMB, UMBC, and MSU.
For questions regarding UMBC technologies, please contact the Office of Technology Development otd@umbc.edu.