Starting on June 1, 2020 the new Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1) goes into effect. One significant impact of this is the new requirement that the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support be generated using an NSF supported tool.
Biographical Sketch Improvements:
Current and Pending Support Improvements:
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Dear Colleagues:
On
April 1, 2020, NSF announced the availability of both NSF-approved
formats for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support
sections of NSF proposals. NSF conducted a Webinar to discuss the policy and system implications for this new requirement. As a reminder we encourage you to send questions ahead of the May 14, 2020 ERA Forum webinar to nsferaforum@nsf.gov. |
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How to Log-In To Foundation Directory Online
Foundation
Directory is a database that is available to faculty, staff, and graduate
students who have a working, valid UMBC login name and password.
Foundation Directory can be accessed on campus through the Office of Sponsored Programs’ website as well as off-campus through UMBC’s Global Protect VPN Portal. I
nstructions for using the Global Protect VPN can be found on the UMBC VPN Wiki link: https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=36766377
Instructions for FDO access are provided below.
On-Campus Access:
· FDO can be accessed through the OSP Website https://research.umbc.edu/office-of-sponsored-programs/.
· From the main OSP page, please use the Navigation pane on the left to click on “Proposal Information” and to then scroll down that page and click on “Funding Opportunities.” As an alternative, you can access the direct link to OSP’s “Funding Opportunities” Page as well: https://research.umbc.edu/external-funding-opportunities/
· Click on the hyperlink to Foundation Directory and the link (https://my.umbc.edu/go/143) will immediately direct you to FDO.
Off-Campus Access:
· Navigate to https://gpvpn.umbc.edu
· If you are not already authenticated, enter your myUMBC credentials and complete the two Factor authentication (i.e. DUO).
·
Click "Browse without Client Software"
and enter https://my.umbc.edu/go/143.
· You will arrive at the Home Page of FDO for UMBC. You will see that it says “Hi University Maryland Baltimore County” at the top of the screen. Now you can begin to search for funding.
Additional Information is available on the Attachment "Getting To Know- Foundation Directory Fact Sheet" which has been attached to this Post!
Dear Colleagues:
NSF recently recorded a webinar about the requirement to use an NSF-approved format for both the biographical sketch and current & pending support documents as part of proposals submitted to NSF. The policy, outlined in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1), goes into effect for proposals submitted or due, on or after June 1, 2020. The two NSF-approved formats are SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae, and an NSF Fillable PDF.
Webinar topics include:
For additional information, see the NSF pages for the biographical sketch and current and pending support. We would like your feedback on these formats prior to the June 1st requirement. Please provide your comments and questions to policy@nsf.gov.
Regards,
Jean Feldman
Head, Policy Office
Division of Institution and Award Support
Office of Budget, Finance & Award Management
National Science Foundation
Foundation Directory Online (FDO) is now temporarily accessible and available from home/off campus via UMBC’s Global Protect VPN. Instructions for using the Global Protect VPN can be found on the UMBC VPN Wiki at the link below:
https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=36766377
Once you are signed into the VPN,
please navigate to my.umbc.edu. Go to "Guide" and then click on
"Financial Services and Accounting". Scroll to the bottom of the page
and under "Additional Resources" click on "Foundation Directory Online".
That’s all you need
to do! You will have full access to ALL of the same
information and features of FDO that you would have if you were using it on-campus. Please spread the word to your colleagues and let them know Foundation Directory can now be used from the comfort of one's home!
Due to the expected number of participants, we ask that you submit questions in advance. Please submit your questions when registering for the Town Hall – see below.
Please register in advance for this Virtual Town Hall and submit questions.. Upon registration you will receive a confirmation email with details on joining the WebEx meeting.
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.
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Type of Application |
Changes |
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Institutional Research Training or Institutional Career Development |
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Fellowship |
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Individual Career Development |
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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.
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