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InfoEd Performance Issues (Updated July 1, 2025)

July 1- InfoEd will be intermittently unavailable this afternoon between 2-5 PM in order to apply database configuration changes to mitigate the performance issues we have been encountering.  Updates will be posted here when the changes have been made and the system is available again.

June 26- We are currently investigating widespread performance issues with InfoEd.  Expect system functionality to be affected.  Updates to follow.

InfoEd Maintenance Downtime

InfoEd will be go offline Tuesday, June 24 at 5 pm and return online by 8 a.m. Thursday, June 26. InfoEd applications, Sponsored Programs, Human Subjects, Laboratory Animals, Subawards, and Biosafety Protocols will not be available while the system is offline. During this time, users will be unable to login, create or edit protocols and proposals or perform any review/administrative tasks.
Please note the following:

Proposals to federal agencies that have completed the 2-day review and are submitted for final review by COB will be submitted before InfoEd goes offline.

Proposals to federal agencies that have completed the 2-day review and are submitted for final review after COB Tuesday June 24 will be submitted on Thursday June 26 when the system is back online.

Please complete and save any work and log out of the system by close of business on June 24. For questions or assistance, please email ITS.RIS@utmb.edu.

 

 

 

SPONSORED PROJECTS/
SUBAWARDS

Announcing a Simplified Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant Applications

NIH recently announced a simplified review framework to be implemented for grants with receipt deadlines of January 25, 2025, and after.

The simplified framework is expected to better focus peer reviewers on the key questions needed to assess the scientific and technical merit of proposed research projects: “Can and should the proposed research project be conducted?”

To achieve this, the five current review criteria (defined as Significance, Innovation, Approach, Investigator, and Environment; derived from NIH peer review regulations 42 C.F.R. Part 52h.8) are being reorganized into three broader factors to help reviewers focus on crucial questions that determine scientific merit. Reviewers will consider all three factors in determining the overall impact score, which reflects their overall assessment of the likely impact of the proposed research.

  • Factor 1: Importance of the Research (Significance and Innovation), factor score 1-9
  • Factor 2: Rigor and Feasibility (Approach), factor score 1-9,
  • Factor 3: Expertise and Resources (Investigator and Environment), either rated as sufficient for the proposed research or not (in which case reviewers must provide an explanation)

A significant concern being addressed in the simplified framework is the potential for general scientific reputation to have an undue influence on application review. By changing the evaluation of Investigator and Environment to a binary decision of sufficient or not in the context of the proposed research, Factor 3 aims to help mitigate this potential biasing influence.

Review the Extramural Nexus Blog Post for the full details of this announcement as well as the November 3 webinar.  A summary of the changes also can be found in the November 28 UTMB-RDP monthly meeting presentation.

What does this mean for UTMB investigators?

From the November 3 webinar, this new framework will not affect how project grants are assembled or submitted, nor will it change the grant components typically included in project grant applications.

Bookmark the NIH Simplified Peer Review Framework page to remain updated on progress toward implementation of this new framework. 

NIH Simplified Review Framework Frequently Asked Question

 

 

HUMAN SUBJECTS

Announcing a Simplified Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant Applications

NIH recently announced a simplified review framework to be implemented for grants with receipt deadlines of January 25, 2025, and after.

The simplified framework is expected to better focus peer reviewers on the key questions needed to assess the scientific and technical merit of proposed research projects: “Can and should the proposed research project be conducted?”

To achieve this, the five current review criteria (defined as Significance, Innovation, Approach, Investigator, and Environment; derived from NIH peer review regulations 42 C.F.R. Part 52h.8) are being reorganized into three broader factors to help reviewers focus on crucial questions that determine scientific merit. Reviewers will consider all three factors in determining the overall impact score, which reflects their overall assessment of the likely impact of the proposed research.

  • Factor 1: Importance of the Research (Significance and Innovation), factor score 1-9
  • Factor 2: Rigor and Feasibility (Approach), factor score 1-9,
  • Factor 3: Expertise and Resources (Investigator and Environment), either rated as sufficient for the proposed research or not (in which case reviewers must provide an explanation)

A significant concern being addressed in the simplified framework is the potential for general scientific reputation to have an undue influence on application review. By changing the evaluation of Investigator and Environment to a binary decision of sufficient or not in the context of the proposed research, Factor 3 aims to help mitigate this potential biasing influence.

Review the Extramural Nexus Blog Post for the full details of this announcement as well as the November 3 webinar.  A summary of the changes also can be found in the November 28 UTMB-RDP monthly meeting presentation.

What does this mean for UTMB investigators?

From the November 3 webinar, this new framework will not affect how project grants are assembled or submitted, nor will it change the grant components typically included in project grant applications.

Bookmark the NIH Simplified Peer Review Framework page to remain updated on progress toward implementation of this new framework. 

NIH Simplified Review Framework Frequently Asked Question

 

 

LABORATORY ANIMALS

Announcing a Simplified Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant Applications

NIH recently announced a simplified review framework to be implemented for grants with receipt deadlines of January 25, 2025, and after.

The simplified framework is expected to better focus peer reviewers on the key questions needed to assess the scientific and technical merit of proposed research projects: “Can and should the proposed research project be conducted?”

To achieve this, the five current review criteria (defined as Significance, Innovation, Approach, Investigator, and Environment; derived from NIH peer review regulations 42 C.F.R. Part 52h.8) are being reorganized into three broader factors to help reviewers focus on crucial questions that determine scientific merit. Reviewers will consider all three factors in determining the overall impact score, which reflects their overall assessment of the likely impact of the proposed research.

  • Factor 1: Importance of the Research (Significance and Innovation), factor score 1-9
  • Factor 2: Rigor and Feasibility (Approach), factor score 1-9,
  • Factor 3: Expertise and Resources (Investigator and Environment), either rated as sufficient for the proposed research or not (in which case reviewers must provide an explanation)

A significant concern being addressed in the simplified framework is the potential for general scientific reputation to have an undue influence on application review. By changing the evaluation of Investigator and Environment to a binary decision of sufficient or not in the context of the proposed research, Factor 3 aims to help mitigate this potential biasing influence.

Review the Extramural Nexus Blog Post for the full details of this announcement as well as the November 3 webinar.  A summary of the changes also can be found in the November 28 UTMB-RDP monthly meeting presentation.

What does this mean for UTMB investigators?

From the November 3 webinar, this new framework will not affect how project grants are assembled or submitted, nor will it change the grant components typically included in project grant applications.

Bookmark the NIH Simplified Peer Review Framework page to remain updated on progress toward implementation of this new framework. 

NIH Simplified Review Framework Frequently Asked Question

See all announcements at our News & Announcements page.
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