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April/May 2020 Newsletter
In this issue:
  • Director's Announcement - COVID-19 Resource Page; Hiring Students and Personnel on Sponsored Programs
  • Featured Funding - Spencer Foundation Research Grants on Education: COVID-19 Related Special Grant Cycle
  • National Science Foundation - Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) 20-1: Mandatory Use of New Biosketch and Current and Pending Templates
  • National Institutes of Health - COVID-19 Related Guidance for Reviewers
Director's Announcement
COVID-19 Resource Page
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The Office of Sponsored Programs has created a COVID-19 Resources page on our website to help organize the many resources available. This resource page includes information on COVID related funding opportunities, steps that federal agencies are taking during this time, NSF, NIH, and NEH Specific guidance, and occasional calls for resources put out by various agencies. We hope that you find this page helpful. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions on existing grants or wish to apply for COVID specific funding.
Hiring Students and Personnel on Sponsored Programs
As you may be aware, the university is on a hiring freeze. This freeze has also been extended to sponsored programs, however exceptions are being granted for students. Hiring additional personnel is being considered on a case by case basis. If you need to hire students or additional personnel from your sponsored program, please reach out to Sponsored Programs Accounting as soon as possible so that they can walk you through the additional steps that need to be completed during this time.
Featured Funding
Spencer Foundation Research Grants on Education: COVID-19 Related Special Grant Cycle
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The COVID-19 Related Research Grants support education research projects that will contribute to the rapid shifts in education during this time. The Spencer Foundation is particularly interested in two categories of projects: (1) studies that aim to understand and disrupt the reproduction and deepening of educational inequality caused by COVID-19; and (2) research projects that are working to re-imagine educational opportunities during the crisis. Proposals for projects other than research are ineligible for this cycle.

Due Date: June 8th, 2020
Amount: $50,000
Period: 1 to 3 years

Please contact OSP as soon as possible if you are interested in applying for funding.
National Science Foundation
Proposal and Award Policy and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) 20-1
This is just a friendly reminder that proposals submitted or due, or awards made, on or after June 1, 2020 must follow the NSF PAPPG 20-1. There are several significant changes in this new version of the PAPPG that will affect grantees including new required formats for the biosketch, current and pending document, and the elimination of the "Intellectual Merit" heading within the project description.

Those who intend to apply for NSF funding within the next year are encouraged to review the newest iteration of the PAPPG each year to ensure your proposal complies with the latest guidance. As always, OSP is here to offer assistance and guidance on interpreting these policies.
Mandatory Use of New Biosketch and Current and Pending Templates
The mandatory use of the new biosketch and current and pending templates for NSF proposals due on or after June 1, 2020. The OSP has posted information on the new templates on our webpage in several places including the Forms, Tools, and Resources page under Proposal Components and Sponsor Forms and the NSF Toolbox under Form Preparation.

Additional details on the new mandatory forms, including FAQs for the use of each form can also be found directly from NSF. Information for the biosketch can be found here and information for the current and pending document can be found here. While OSP frequently monitors guidance and policy changes from sponsors, we encourage grant seekers to pull forms directly from NSF to ensure the current version of the forms are being used.
National Institutes of Health
COVID-19 Related Guidance for Reviewers
The National Institutes of Health issued an Open Mike on April 21, 2020 reassuring applicants that guidance had been issued to peer-reviewers for reviewing applications during the coronavirus pandemic. Reviewers should ensure that issues resulting from the current pandemic, such as delayed recruitment plans, key personnel diverting effort from the proposed research due to fulfilling patient care centered roles, and proposed travel plans, should not affect scores. For additional information on the issued guidance to peer reviewers make sure to check out the full Open Mike.