The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently issued a Dear Colleague letter notifying the research community about the mandatory use of multifactor authentication (MFA) for Research.gov sign-in effective Sunday, October 27.

Effective for Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR) due on or after October 1, 2024, a set of new questions has been added, asking NIH recipients for details on how they are adhering to their approved Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plan, if applicable. See NIH Guide Notices: NOT-OD-24-175, NOT-OD-24-176 and NOT-OD-24-123 for more details

NIH is now accepting Loan Repayment Program (LRP) applications until Thursday, Nov. 21. For information or to start an LRP application, visit the LRP website.

The eRA Commons system-generated email notification announcing the availability to submit Just-in-Time information for an application in eRA Commons will be retired as of October 1. This change has no effect on an applicant’s ability to submit Just-in-Time information upon request from staff at the awarding institute or center.

There are new fringe benefit rates for FY25.

Natalia A. Glubisz, MHA, CRA, Associate Vice President for Research Administration, will be your first point of contact for any grant proposals that require a letter of support from the Provost’s Office.

Beginning on or about May 1, InfoEd users will see revised forms when initiating a new proposal or requesting set up when a NOA is received.

UTMB’s Chief Research Officer, Research Administration, and the SB17 Legal team are here to support research investigators navigating the implications of Senate Bill 17. While its restrictions outlined below do not apply to “scholarly research or a creative work” by students, faculty, or other research personnel, or dissemination of such, we understand there may be other impacts to your research programs.

The NIH has been working with the NSF and other federal agencies on developing and adopting Common Forms for the Biosketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support. The Common forms have been cleared by OSTP and OMB and new forms are posted on the NSF website

NIH recently announced a simplified review framework to be implemented for grants submitted 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?” It will not affect how project grants are assembled or submitted.