UFIRST: Updating Project IDC Returns

Each year, the Office of the Vice President for Research returns indirect costs collected from grants and contracts during the preceding fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) to principal investigators, department chairs, and if appropriate, directors of certain authorized centers. The last day to make changes to FY2017 distributions is June 30. Read more

UFIRST: Subawards Update

The Division of Sponsored Programs (DSP) would like to thank everyone for their patience as the outgoing subaward team undergoes transitions to new personnel and systems. This transition includes improvements to the process and procedures that will enhance the ability to issue subawards more efficiently and compliantly. Read more

NSF Explains Participant Support Costs

Excerpted from the NSF Proposal & Award Policy Newsletter, Issue 2, May/June

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter II.C.2g(v) defines the participant support budget category as direct costs such as stipends, travel or subsistence allowances, and participant or trainee (but not employees) registration fees for NSF-sponsored conferences or training projects. Read more

NSF Implements Research Terms and Conditions

Excerpted from the NSF Proposal & Award Policy Newsletter, Issue 2, May/June

As announced on March 14 in the Federal Register, the revised Research Terms and Conditions (RTCs) have been made available to research agencies for use with research and research-related awards. The RTCs address and implement the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200). Read more

NSF Provides ERA Forum Update

Excerpted from the NSF Proposal & Award Policy Newsletter, Issue 2, May/June

In 2016, NSF launched the Electronic Research Administration (ERA) Forum to improve the quality and timeliness of NSF electronic research administration user input. The ERA Forum regularly engages the community to collect opinions and perspectives on NSF electronic research administration activities, particularly those related to reducing administrative burden. Read more

NSF Requests Public Comment on Future Policies and Procedures Guide

Each year, the National Science Foundation (NSF) publishes an updated version of its Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG).

The final version of the PAPPG is issued in the fall and each spring NSF encourages the research community to provide feedback on the proposed revisions. NSF has released a draft version of the 2018 PAPPG for review. The comment period ends on July 24, 2017. Read more

NSF Holds Grants Conference in Fall 2017

The Fall 2017 National Science Foundation (NSF) Grants Conference will be held in Phoenix, Arizona at a to be determined date. Read more

A Guide to Incorporating Multiple Methods in Randomized Controlled Trials to Assess Intervention Effects

The American Psychological Association and the University of Virginia have published a guide and accompanying chart focusing on the design of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using mixed methods in educational and social interventions.

The guide includes three illustrative RCTs with multiple methods and provides a rationale for incorporating multiple methods, examples from the literature of the steps in the process, and assessments of the overall value of the data collected and research contributions, among other topics. Read more

Submitted Projects for May 2017

Best wishes to Michael Bowie and Nancy Waldron for their proposal to the Florida Department of Education; Alice Kaye Emery for her proposal to the Florida Department of Education; Dennis Kramer for his proposals to Take Stock in Children and to the General Services Administration; Aki Murata for her proposal to the Spencer Foundation; Philip Poekert for his proposal to the Mt. Vernon School District; and Patricia Snyder, Mary McLean, and Brian Reichow for their proposal to the American Institutes for Research.

For more details, see the Submitted Projects table. Read more