Waiver Authorities and Other Flexibilities Available to the U.S. Department of Education in Responding to COVID-19

A 2019 Congressional Research Service (CRS) report describes Education-Related Flexibilities, Waivers, and Federal Assistance in Response to Disasters that the U.S. Department of Education (U.S. ED) has available to address issues related to COVID-19. The U.S. ED Office of Postsecondary Education recently issued Guidance for Interruptions of Study Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) explaining flexibilities regarding online education for students whose instruction has been interrupted.

Please also see the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) webpage Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for IES Grantees.

U.S. ED continues to update https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus with information for students, parents, educators, and local leaders about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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U.S. Department of Education Announces Funding Flexibilities to Support Technology Infrastructure and Teacher PD During COVID-19 National Emergency

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has announced a new streamlined process for providing states funding flexibilities to meet the needs of students and educators during the COVID-19 national emergency. Authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security CARES Act, the flexibilities allow schools to repurpose existing K-12 education funds for technology infrastructure and for professional development for teachers who are teaching remotely. Any state may complete a brief form available at https://oese.ed.gov/, and it will receive an initial determination within one business day. Read more

U.S. Department of Education Seeks Comments on New Rules to Govern Distance Learning for Higher Education Students

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has proposed new rules that would govern distance learning for higher education students. Work on the proposed Distance Learning and Innovation regulation started more than a year ago; however, the COVID-19 National Emergency emphasizes the need for all educational institutions to have a robust capacity to teach remotely.

Please submit comments by May 4, 2020 via the Federal eRulemaking Portal or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. Comments will be made available for public viewing. Read more

From the IES Director: IES in a Time of Pandemic

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Director Mark Schneider has published a blog post on IES activities and resources in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. He discusses many topics including the recent What Works Clearinghouse Rapid Evidence Synthesis to generate high-quality information about what works in distance education. To read the complete blog, see IES in a Time of Pandemic by Mark Schneider, Director of IES, March 31, 2020.

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Join National Experts for a WWC Webinar on Using Technology to Support Postsecondary Student Learning

The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) will host a webinar featuring expert panelists who created the Using Technology to Support Postsecondary Student Learning Practice Guide.

To register for the event, please click here.

April 9, 2020
3:30 – 4:30 pm EDT

If you cannot attend the live event, register to be notified when the webinar archive is available. Read more

NIH Late Application Policy, Administrative Flexibilities, and FAQs Related to COVID-19

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently updated its Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information for NIH Applicants and Recipients website with additional FAQs and new funding opportunities. In response to community concerns about the ability to submit applications in a timely manner, the NIH has published Notice Number: NOT-OD-20-091 announcing that grant applications submitted late for due dates between March 9, 2020, and May 1, 2020, will be accepted through May 1, 2020. This notice applies to all relevant funding opportunity announcements, including those that indicate no late applications will be accepted. Read more

Reminder: NIH FORMS-F Grant Application Forms and Instructions Must Be Used for Due Dates On or After May 25, 2020

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued a reminder Notice Number: NOT-OD-20-077 stating that FORMS-F Grant Application Forms and Instructions must be used for due dates on or after May 25, 2020. FORMS-E application packages must continue to be used for due dates on or before May 24, 2020 (see NOT-OD-20-026 for details). Read more

COVID-19 Guidance for the NSF Community

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has issued Important Notice No. 146 to the Community Regarding COVID-19. NSF has also issued additional guidance on NSF’s implementation of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum (M-20-17), entitled, Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations. NSF has implemented flexibilities authorized by OMB from specific administrative, financial management, and audit requirements contained in 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

Any questions about the policies described in the NSF guidance should be directed to policy@nsf.gov. Questions specific to a particular award should be directed to the cognizant NSF Program Officer. NSF is working to update existing FAQs and other resources to reflect NSF’s new guidance and will keep you informed on its website at nsf.gov/coronavirus.
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NSF Releases Approved Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support Formats

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced the availability of both NSF-approved formats for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support sections that fall under the revised Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1) (see the February 6, 2020 webinar for complete details on all revisions to the PAPPG). Although use of an NSF-approved format for submission of these proposal sections is not required until June 1, 2020, NSF is encouraging proposers to begin using the NSF-approved formats now.

NSF-Approved Formats

SciENcv: NSF has partnered with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to use SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae as an NSF-approved format for use in preparation of both the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support sections of an NSF proposal. SciENcv will produce an NSF-compliant PDF version of the documents which proposers can save and submit as part of their proposals via FastLane, Research.gov, or Grants.gov. Additional information about the NSF-approved SciENcv formats is available on the NSF biographical sketch and current and pending support webpages.

NSF Fillable PDF: NSF is also providing a fillable PDF as an NSF-approved format for use to prepare both the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support sections of an NSF proposal. Proposers can download the respective fillable PDF form from the NSF biographical sketch and current and pending support webpages and then submit the completed forms as part of their proposals via FastLane, Research.gov, or Grants.gov. Read more

Training Resources for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support Documents Using SciENcv

To assist the community with the new requirements for the National Science Foundation (NSF) biographical sketch and current and pending support documents and to start using SciENcv, NSF and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will conduct a joint webinar including a walk-through of how to prepare these documents in SciENcv. The date will be provided as soon as it is available, and you are encouraged to sign up for notifications.

The next NSF Electronic Research Administration (ERA) Forum will be held on May 14, 2020 at 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET where NSF will discuss the NSF-approved format requirements, as well as the new capability to prepare and submit separately submitted collaborative proposals in Research.gov. To sign up for ERA Forum notifications including registration availability for the May 14 event, please send a blank email to NSF-ERA-FORUM-subscribe-request@listserv.nsf.gov and you will be automatically enrolled.

The following training resources are now available, and NSF will continue to keep the community informed as additional resources are released. Read more

NCES Extends the Deadline for Proposals for the 2020 NCES STATS-DC Data Conference

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is extending the proposal deadline for those who would like to present a session or be an exhibitor at the STATS-DC Data Conference. The new deadline to submit proposals is April 24, 2020.

The 2020 NCES STATS-DC Data Conference is scheduled to be held July 8-10 in Washington, DC. Due to the current circumstances, NCES is considering options for STATS-DC. To submit a concurrent session or exhibitor proposal, please visit https://ies.ed.gov/whatsnew/conferences/?id=9231 Read more

UF Research Provides Up-To-Date Information on the Impact of COVID-19 on Research and Sponsored Programs

UF Research is continually updating information on its website at https://research.ufl.edu/covid-19-updates.html. Additional links to important updates can be found here:

UF COVID-19 Updates

Sponsor Updates

COVID-19 Grant Opportunities Read more

UF Institutional Review Board COVID-19 Response

The University of Florida and UF Institutional Review Board (IRB) are working together to manage the impact of COVID-19 on research. To help our research community through these challenges, we will be compiling resources, official policies, and other information relevant to COVID-19 on the IRB website at http://irb.ufl.edu/index/covid-19-resources.html.

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UF Telework Suggestions for Sponsored Programs

The need and opportunity for telework offers unique venues for work productivity and professional growth using online tools and science connectivity. At UF Research, we are concerned for the safety of our science workforce during the current pandemic while also intrigued with the notion that time away from the grind presents very real prospect for enhancing typical progress in our work.

We at UF Research offer suggestions for activities that advance research productivity while also keeping in active work status. While this guidance is directed to those typically working in laboratory, field, or clinical research funded by sponsored programs, it is applicable to a wide range of research associated positions at UF. As a secondary support, we offer suggestions for administrative and financial staff to supplement and diversify their administrative and financial support responsibilities should that be necessary.

Suggestions and information are available at https://research.ufl.edu/covid-19-updates/sponsored-programs-related-telework-activities.html Read more

Download the Latest Version of Zoom

With the recent surge in UF’s Zoom use comes a very important reminder: be sure to frequently check for updates so you are running the latest version of Zoom at all times. To view the “Check for Updates” link, click on your profile (either your initials or a photo you’ve uploaded) in the top right of Zoom. Updating to the latest version means critical security holes get patched and outdated application features are removed.

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