Sponsored Research News | December 2019
Federal Regulatory Updates
SciENcv for NSF Biosketches
The updated PAPPG originally anticipated to be effective January 2020 will not be released until later in the new year. Once the updated PAPPG is effective, NSF will only accept PDFs for biographical sketches that are generated through use of an NSF-approved format. NSF has designated SciENCv as an NSF-approved format for submission of biographical sketches. Investigators may start using SciENcv to build their biosketches now, and do not need to wait until the new PAPPG is released. Biosketches built in SciENcv will pass compliance checks upon submission through Research.gov and FastLane.


Draft NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing
NIH released a draft policy that will require all investigators with NIH funding to make their data sets available to colleagues. All grantees holding any NIH funded grant, not just those above a $500,000 threshold in direct costs, will need to submit a detailed plan for sharing data, including steps to protect the privacy of research subjects.

NIH is seeking public input on the below draft policy and draft supplements. Comments may be submitted here until January 10, 2020.





University Updates
Join us for OSP's Annual Open House
Wednesday, December 11th, 1:30 - 3:30

West Pickle Research (WPR) Building

Celebrate another stellar year in research!

Light refreshments will be served


Winter Break Closure

The Office of Sponsored Projects will be closed for Winter Break from Monday, December 23, 2019 through Friday, January 3, 2020. Prior to close of business on December 20th, researchers must work with OSP to submit proposals by 12:00pm and finalize award actions with deadlines during our office closure. A skeleton crew will NOT be available during the break.
All inquiries should be sent to osp@austin.utexas.edu. Our OSP mailbox and OSP voicemail will be checked 12/28, 12/29, and 12/31 between the hours of 11:30am - 1:30pm, with responses to emergency requests only. Urgent matters that arise after 2:00pm each day of office closure may be sent to rkgonzales@austin.utexas.edu.
F&A Guidance for proposals with start dates of 9/1/2020
The Office of Sponsored Projects recommends that proposals that are submitted with project periods spanning 9/1/2020, the start of the new F&A rate, to please split the rate so that the project period from 1/1/2020 to 8/31/2020 would be calculated at 56.5% and then the new rate of 58.5% would apply for 9/1/2020 through the remainder of the project award period. 

Should the project start a few months before 9/1/2020 you may budget for the 58.5% and then any costs charged before 9/1/2020 will be manually adjusted to the appropriate rate. Should this option be used, please note in the justification that the new rate is only being used for budgeting purposes and that the appropriate rate will be used for direct charges that occur before 9/1/2020.

Budgets submitted to sponsors after 11/21/2019 at the current rate of 56.5% without an escalation will be short, as the University will apply the 58.5% on expenditures after 9/1/2020.



Continuing Education
T he Office of Sponsored Projects and other research support units offer educational opportunities on campus each month. Check the OSP Calendar for free on-campus training that is applicable to
CRA re-certification. Below are training opportunities that were available last month as well as those coming up in the month ahead.
Learn More
Find the latest Federal regulation and UT Austin policy and procedures related to sponsored research on the OSP News & Alerts page.

Reserve your seat for live-cast webinars and workshops on Research TRACKS (where your research-related continuing education credits are recorded).
Did you miss the last newsletter? View past newsletters on the OSP Website.
The Office of Sponsored Projects | 512.471.6424 | Email | Website